(NEXSTAR) – Opening statements began Wednesday. Alec Baldwin’s trialhas been charged with felony manslaughter for allegedly shooting and killing cinematographer Halina Hutchins on a film set, and if convicted, the actor could face prison time.
Baldwin, 66, has pleaded not guilty to felony charges in the 2021 shooting that occurred during rehearsals for the Western film “Lust” at Bonanza Creek Ranch in New Mexico. Baldwin pointed a handgun at Hutchins, which fired, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza.
If convicted, Baldwin could face up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine. New Mexico Sentencing Laws a fourth-degree felony.
If the jury returns a unanimous guilty verdict, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer will preside over the sentencing phase of the trial at a later date.
Baldwin’s lawyers argued that the actor was not responsible for the “unspeakable tragedy” and that Baldwin did not know the gun was loaded with live ammunition.
The defense alleges that Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who designed the film’s costumes, and assistant director David Halls are to blame.
Gutierrez-Reed had already been convicted of manslaughter and was serving the maximum sentence of 18 months. Judge Sommer, who also oversaw her trial, said a sentence less than the maximum was not appropriate given that Gutierrez-Reed’s recklessness amounted to a serious violent crime.
“You were the weaponsmith, the person standing between a safe weapon and a deadly weapon,” the judge told Gutierrez-Reed, “You singlehandedly transformed a safe weapon into a deadly weapon. Without you, Mr. Hutchins would be alive, the husband would be able to protect his partner, and the boy would be able to protect his mother.”
Deputy Halls pleaded not guilty to negligent use of a deadly weapon. He received six months of unsupervised probation as part of a plea agreement.
Baldwin’s trial is scheduled to last nine days. After testimony ends, jurors can deliberate for as long as they need to.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
