With jury selection underway in the "Rust" trial involving Alec Baldwin, legal experts weigh in on the actor's potential liabilities and defense strategies.
Alec Baldwin's fate in the "Rust" involuntary manslaughter trial hangs in the balance as jury selection commences. Legal experts analyzed the challenges and opportunities facing the actor's defense.
Attorney Todd Spodek, who represented Genevieve Sabourin in her stalking case against Baldwin, believes Baldwin's emotional outbursts could be detrimental to his defense if he testifies. Spodek's cross-examination of Baldwin in that case revealed the actor's vulnerability to provocation.
Alec Baldwin Faces "Uphill Climb" in "Rust" Trial as Jury Selection Begins
Mark Bederow, another defense attorney, echoed Spodek's concerns, noting that prosecutors will likely confront Baldwin with his inconsistent accounts of the accident. Moreover, Baldwin's distance from Hollywood and New York could potentially lead to the perception of insincerity and arrogance.
However, the defense may benefit from the FBI's destruction of the gun used in the shooting. This action has made it impossible to check for potential defects that could have contributed to the fatal discharge. Bederow believes this could support Baldwin's argument that he did not pull the trigger.
Alec Baldwin Faces "Uphill Climb" in "Rust" Trial as Jury Selection Begins
Investigators struck the gun multiple angles during testing, damaging its firing and safety mechanisms. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer has allowed both sides to explore the circumstances surrounding this damage. Nevertheless, Elizabeth Bunker, a New Mexico-based attorney, doubts that the defense will successfully convince a jury of firearm enthusiasts that Baldwin did not pull the trigger.
The defense is also expected to shift blame to Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the film's armorer who was convicted of the same manslaughter charge. They will argue that Reed's responsibility for the gun's safety and handling absolves Baldwin of liability.
Alec Baldwin Faces "Uphill Climb" in "Rust" Trial as Jury Selection Begins
Tre Lovell, an entertainment attorney, believes that Screen Actors Guild (SAG) rules could support this argument by delegating safety responsibilities to specific crew members. Lovell emphasized that actors have no obligation to check firearms on a movie set.
However, Baldwin's role as a producer on "Rust" could be a vulnerability. Judge Sommer has ruled that prosecutors cannot introduce evidence of Baldwin's producer status as an aggravating factor.
Alec Baldwin Faces "Uphill Climb" in "Rust" Trial as Jury Selection Begins
The outcome of the trial depends on the jury's assessment of Baldwin's actions and the credibility of the defense's arguments. Legal experts believe Baldwin faces an uphill climb in overcoming the prosecution's charges and securing an acquittal.
