Twelve New Mexico jurors, including four alternates, have been seated in the 2021 trial of Alec Baldwin, who is charged with negligent homicide in the 2021 shooting and tragic death of filmmaker Halina Hutchins.
Eleven women and five men have been selected for the jury from a field of 80 New Mexicans. Initial hiring of attorneys will begin today, while the trial is expected to last until July 19.
Baldwin, star and co-producer of the western “Rust,” during a rehearsal on a film set outside Santa Fe in October 2021, pointed a Colt .45 at the director of photography when the gun discharged, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza.
“Rust” gunsmith Hannah Gutierrez Reed was previously sentenced to 18 months in prison on April 15 after pleading guilty to negligent homicide. However, the investigation has yet to determine how a live round was found during filming at Bonanza Creek Ranch.
During the second day of the hearing, the actor was accompanied by his wife, Hilaria, and his younger brother, Stephen Baldwin, who chose to sit in the last rows of the room.
The couple, married since 2012 and parents to seven children, arrived in separate cars at the courthouse and, according to the New York Post, the “30 Rock” star, wearing a dark suit and sunglasses, ran to help his wife, who was with their 19-month-old daughter.
The Emmy-winning actor, who faces up to 18 months in prison, declined to answer questions from reporters as he entered the courtroom.