Sante Fe, New Mexico. Alec BaldwinIndustry experts told Fox News Digital that John F. Kelly appearing on a new reality TV show amid his ongoing manslaughter trial could be a damaging public relations “glitch.”
The actor could face up to 18 months in prison if found guilty of negligent or careless conduct in the 2021 shooting death of cinematographer Halina Hutchins on the set of the Western film “Lust.”
“I think this is a terrible public relations blunder,” said Timothy Parlatore, an attorney for the reality TV project. “When you’re on trial for something like this, that’s all you have to focus on. This trial is over in less than two weeks. You don’t need to be doing anything that will reflect negatively on you before your trial.”
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Alec Baldwin and wife Hilaria Baldwin leave District Court after a day of hearings in his manslaughter trial on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales)
The actor’s candid wife, Hilaria, was a visible presence at the trial, which took place in Santa Fe’s First Judicial District Court. On her first day in court, she walked outside the courthouse with her youngest child in front of a throng of cameras, then took a seat in the front row, where she has remained ever since.
After leaving the courthouse, the Baldwins explored the quaint New Mexico town, dining at an Italian restaurant on Tuesday and shopping with their young child at Ulises, one of Santa Fe’s many upscale boutiques, on Wednesday.
“Their social media accounts are filled with self-centered post after post portraying themselves as the ultimate victims, and they seem unaware of how insensitive their constant self-promotion is.”
The couple’s trip to the clothing store with Ms Baldwin pushing a stroller came hours after jurors viewed horrifying police body camera footage of medics responding to Ms Hutchins’ final moments.
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Gloria Allred, an attorney representing Hutchins’ mother and sister, slammed Hutchins for announcing his television plans before the trial and questioned whether he and his wife were trying to promote the new business venture with their public appearance in Santa Fe.
“I believe this is a very cynical and calculated public relations stunt aimed at influencing jurors and potential jurors and getting them to sympathize with Alec Baldwin, which is why he not only brought the baby, but why he allowed the baby to be taken out of the car and photographed,” she said.
Photo Gallery: Baldwin’s family leaves courtroom after second day of actor’s trial
Allred noted that while Baldwin had no contact with Hutchins’ family after the shooting, he did find time to take casual strolls down the city’s fashionable streets during his criminal trial.
“Does he take it seriously?” she asked. “Or is he doing it for reality TV? I don’t know. But if so, it’s in very bad taste, seriously. He had time to go shopping, but no time to call Halina Hutchins’ heartbroken mother?”
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Photo Gallery: Alec Baldwin and family appear in court
Despite Baldwin’s legal troubles, production continues on “The Baldwins,” a TLC reality show that depicts the couple’s tumultuous life raising their seven children, and they have no plans to shy away from the spotlight.
The show’s producers said they were preparing for all eventualities, including possible incarceration, given Baldwin’s precarious legal position. New York Post.
“We will comply with that,” the source told the outlet.
Public relations expert Judah Engelmeyer said Baldwin’s reality TV appearance announcement and light-hearted outings are disrespectful as he faces serious felony charges.
“Given the gravity of what he’s looking at, whether he’s guilty or not, he should have a solemn expression on his face,” he said. “He should appear compassionate. He should appear to respect the family of the woman who was killed.”
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Alec Baldwin and his wife Hilaria will star in a new TLC reality show that will document their daily lives with their seven children. (Getty Images)
Engelmeyer said Baldwin’s actions will do little to ameliorate his reputation for a short-tempered temper.
“What he’s doing is the same arrogance that plagued Alec Baldwin long before this happened,” he added.
Baldwin’s lawyers argue he was told the gun was safe to use before he shot and killed Hutchins and injured coach Joel Souza, and that he had no responsibility to check beforehand.
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Prosecutors countered, arguing that under New Mexico law, actors are responsible for keeping their guns safe.
Ebony Lewkowicz, founder of New York City public relations firm Eden Communications, called the couple’s response to the tragedy “the epitome of bad PR” and suggested that anyone advising the couple “should be kicked out.”
“Their social media accounts have been peppered with self-centered posts portraying themselves as the biggest victims, and they seem unaware of how insensitive their self-promotion is,” she told Fox News Digital. “The Baldwins need to take this trial with the seriousness it deserves.”
