Alec Baldwin in New Mexico court one day before trial over deadly Rust set shooting is ready to begin
The IndependentThe latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Alec Baldwin sat stoney-faced in court on Monday as he prepares to face trial over the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Rust movie. open image in gallery Alec Baldwin sits in court for a pre-trial hearing on Monday ahead of jury selection in his involuntary manslaughter case in New Mexico Baldwin has pleaded not guilty and claims the gun fired accidentally after he followed instructions to point it toward Hutchins, who was behind the camera. On Monday, Judge Mary Marlowe Somner ruled that Baldwin’s role as a producer of the Western was not relevant to the trial, a major set back for prosecutors, who had planned to argue that through that role he bore a special responsibility — well beyond that of the actor holding the gun — for the dangerous environment that led to the fatal shooting. “I’m denying evidence of his status as a producer.” open image in gallery Alec Baldwin wipes his eyes during a pretrial hearing Monday, ahead of the start if his involuntary manslaughter trial, beginning on July 9 Special prosecutor Erlinda Johnson argued unsuccessfully to allow evidence that Baldwin’s “role as a producer made him keenly aware of his responsibilities on set” for safety.