Alec Baldwin appeared in court on Monday as jury selection commenced for his involuntary manslaughter trial stemming from the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western film "Rust." Baldwin has pleaded not guilty and faces up to 18 months in prison if convicted.
**Paragraph 1:** Alec Baldwin made his entrance at a New Mexico courthouse on Monday, July 8th, ahead of his involuntary manslaughter trial. The actor arrived in a black Chevrolet Suburban with his entourage and was dressed in a dark suit and tie. He did not speak to reporters.
**Paragraph 2:** Baldwin faces two counts of involuntary manslaughter for the accidental shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western film "Rust" in 2021. The actor has pleaded not guilty and faces up to 18 months in prison if convicted. Jury selection began on Tuesday.
Alec Baldwin's Involuntary Manslaughter Trial Begins: Jury Selection Underway
**Paragraph 3:** Baldwin has maintained that he cocked the gun but did not pull the trigger. The gun fired, killing Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza.
**Paragraph 4:** The trial is expected to be lengthy and highly publicized. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer is hearing arguments on a range of motions Monday that will determine what evidence can be presented at trial.
Alec Baldwin's Involuntary Manslaughter Trial Begins: Jury Selection Underway
**Paragraph 5:** Baldwin's attorneys want to bar discussion of actor Brandon Lee's accidental shooting death on the movie set of "The Crow" in 1993. Prosecutors also want to exclude the conclusions of an OSHA report that found assistant director Dave Halls primarily responsible for the killing of Hutchins.
**Paragraph 6:** Defense attorneys say that OSHA state occupational safety officer Lorenzo Montoya, who interviewed Baldwin after the shooting, shouldn't be allowed to take the stand.
Alec Baldwin's Involuntary Manslaughter Trial Begins: Jury Selection Underway
**Paragraph 7:** Baldwin's appearance in court comes after his attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the involuntary manslaughter charges. The motion argued that the statute under which Baldwin was charged is unconstitutional. The judge denied the motion.
**Paragraph 8:** Baldwin's "Rust" co-star, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in April and sentenced to 18 months in prison. She is appealing her conviction.
Alec Baldwin's Involuntary Manslaughter Trial Begins: Jury Selection Underway
**Paragraph 9:** The outcome of Baldwin's trial could have a significant impact on the film industry and on the safety protocols for handling firearms on movie sets.
**Paragraph 10:** Baldwin has hired a high-powered legal team, including defense attorneys Alex Spiro and Luke Nikas, to represent him in the case. The trial is expected to last several weeks.
Alec Baldwin's Involuntary Manslaughter Trial Begins: Jury Selection Underway
