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Actor Alec Baldwin goes on trial for film-set death

Actor Alec Baldwin’s trial for a fatal shooting on the set of the Western film Rust in October 2021 begins today (9 July) in New Mexico.

The trial will determine whether he should be held criminally liable in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, for which Baldwin (66) faces involuntary manslaughter charges, which he denies.

Hutchins (42) was killed after a bullet from a gun the lead actor was using in a scene rehearsal fatally struck the cinematographer and wounded director Joel Souza.

The actor has pleaded not guilty and his lawyers will argue that it was the responsibility of other crew members to ensure the gun was safe.

Prosecutors will argue that he had a responsibility to follow basic gun safety.

Jury selection begins today with opening statements expected tomorrow.

Live ammunition

Court documents show that Mr Baldwin and others on set did not know the gun was loaded or that it contained live ammunition.

It emerged that the film's armourer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, brought a box of live bullets to the film set from her California home.

Gutierrez-Reed, who loaded the gun for Baldwin before the shooting, was charged and found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in Hutchins' death and sentenced to 18 months in prison.