Sixteen jurors have been selected for the high-profile involuntary manslaughter trial of actor Alec Baldwin in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The trial, which is set to begin with opening statements on Wednesday, will determine whether Baldwin committed the felony when a revolver discharged during a rehearsal, resulting in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and the injury of director Joel Souza. The incident occurred on the set of the Western film “Rust” at Bonanza Creek Ranch, located approximately 18 miles from the trial’s venue.
The jury selection process took place on Tuesday, with five men and eleven women chosen by special prosecutors and Baldwin’s defense team. Out of the sixteen jurors, twelve will be designated as the primary jury, while the remaining four will serve as alternates. The jurors will be responsible for reaching a unanimous decision on Baldwin’s guilt or innocence, with a potential sentence of up to 18 months in prison if found guilty.
Media members were not permitted in the courtroom during the jury selection process, which experienced a delay of over two hours due to technical issues. When asked about their familiarity with the case, all but two of the potential jurors raised their hands, indicating their awareness of the incident. Two individuals were excused from serving on the jury after expressing an inability to be fair and impartial.
Alec Baldwin, a prominent Hollywood figure for over three decades, was present in the courtroom alongside his defense team, consisting of four lawyers. Baldwin’s wife, Hilaria Baldwin, and his brother, actor Stephen Baldwin, were seated in the back of the courtroom. During the selection process, potential jurors were questioned about their views on firearms and gun safety, as well as their ability to question the judgment of law enforcement officials.
The trial of a major star accused of such a significant crime is an uncommon occurrence, even in Los Angeles or Baldwin’s hometown of New York. However, it is an unprecedented event for Santa Fe, New Mexico, despite the state’s increasing involvement in Hollywood productions in recent years.
Alec Baldwin and his wife arrived at the courthouse early, accompanied by their youngest child. The couple has seven children, ranging in age from 1 to 10. Baldwin has maintained that the gun fired accidentally after following instructions to point it towards Hutchins, unaware that it contained a live round. He stated that he pulled back the hammer, not the trigger, resulting in the discharge.
Halyna Hutchins, a talented film photographer, was considered a rising star in her field before her tragic death at the age of 42. She had previously worked on documentary films in Eastern Europe and studied film in Los Angeles before pursuing a career in movie-making.
