Actor Alec Baldwin was filming the movie “Rust” in New Mexico in 2021 when the gun he was rehearsing with, which was not supposed to contain live ammunition, went off, firing a bullet that killed the film's cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins. The film's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was in charge of guns and ammunition on set, was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prison. Now Mr. Baldwin is on trial for manslaughter. has pleaded not guilty. Opening arguments begin on Wednesday. Here are some key players.
The production of “Rust”.
Alec Baldwin
Actor and producer
Mr. Baldwin, who played a grizzled outlaw in “Rust,” has strongly denied responsibility for the fatal shooting on Oct. 21, 2021, saying he was told the old-fashioned revolver he was given on set that day was “cold.” meaning it was not loaded with live ammunition, and adding that it was unthinkable that there would be real rounds in the set. Mr Baldwin also said he did not pull the trigger when the gun went off, but simply pulled the hammer back and let it go. Prosecutors said forensic tests indicated he must have pulled the trigger.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reid
Gunsmith
As a gunner, Ms. Gutierrez-Reed was responsible for the weapons and ammunition on the “Rust” set. even though there wasn't supposed to be any real ammunition in the set, he loaded a live round into the revolver that day and failed to catch it when he checked the gun. She was tried this year and the jury convicted her of manslaughter. Prosecutors argued that she had brought the live rounds to the set, which she denied. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison — the same maximum sentence that Mr. Baldwin would have faced if convicted. It offends the conviction.
Dave Halls
First assistant director
As first assistant director, Mr. Halls was supposed to try to keep the film on schedule and was also its safety coordinator, responsible for checking the firearms to ensure they were safe to handle. Mr Halls admitted he failed to thoroughly inspect the revolver on the day of the shooting. He agreed to a plea deal on a charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon and avoided jail time.
Sarah Zachary
Stage manager
Ms. Zachry was in charge of props on set, including weapons and ammunition, and was Ms. Gutierrez-Reed's supervisor. She acknowledged being responsible for one of two accidental gun discharges on the “Rust” set five days before the fatal shooting. She signed a cooperation agreement with prosecutors that protects her from prosecution as long as she testifies truthfully.
The court
Mary Marlowe Sommer
A judge overseeing the trial
Judge Marlow Sommer of the First Judicial District of New Mexico is intimately familiar with the events of the Rust shooting after presiding over Ms. Gutierrez-Reed's trial. He imposed the maximum prison sentence in that case, telling Ms Gutierrez-Reed in court he was not prepared to give her a “pass” she “didn't deserve”.
The Prosecutor's Office
Kari T. Morrissey
Special Prosecutor
A career defense attorney, Ms. Morrissey was appointed to prosecute the “Rust” case after the previous special prosecutor resigned and the Santa Fe County District Attorney recused herself. Ms Morrissey initially dismissed the case against Mr Baldwin, saying she needed time to investigate concerns raised by his lawyers that the gun may have been modified in a way that made it more likely to fire accidentally. After coroners analyzed the gun, Ms Morrissey said she was convinced Mr Baldwin must have pulled the trigger and decided to revive the criminal case against him.
Erlinda O. Johnson
Special Prosecutor
Ms. Johnson is a new addition to Ms. Morrissey's team. A former prosecutor, Ms. Johnson has a law office in Albuquerque where she handles personal injury, immigration and civil rights cases.
The Defense
Alex Spiro
Attorney for Mr. Baldwin
A New York defense lawyer and former prosecutor known for his aggressive approach, Mr. Spiro has a high-profile client list that includes Elon Musk, Jay-Z and Mayor Eric Adams. He leads the arguments in many of the pre-trial hearings, often disagreeing with the prosecution's conduct in the case.
Lukas Nikas
Attorney for Mr. Baldwin
Mr. Nikas, a lawyer best known for litigation in the art world, began representing Mr. Baldwin in the “Rust” case several months after the fatal shooting, when civil suits were being filed. Mr. Nikas and Mr. Spiro had previously represented Mr. Baldwin in a civil dispute arising out of a fight over a parking space.
