Alec Baldwin 'Rust' trial: Defense argues gun safety rules don’t apply to an actor playing a movie role
Fox News
Actor Alec Baldwin had no way to know a live bullet could be in a movie set revolver and isn't culpable for the fatal error, his lawyer said Wednesday in opening statements.
Alec Baldwin leaves his hotel in Sante Fe, NM, Wednesday, July 10, 2024. Baldwin is on trial for involuntary manslaughter after the fatal shooting of "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital) Alec Baldwin's attorneys, Alex Spirio, and Luke Nikas leave their hotel in Sante Fe, NM, Wednesday, July 10, 2024. Alec Baldwin is on trial for involuntary manslaughter after the fatal shooting of "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital) Alec Baldwin leaves his hotel in Sante Fe, NM, Wednesday, July 10, 2024. Baldwin is on trial for involuntary manslaughter after the fatal shooting of "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital) Hilaria Baldwin leaves her hotel in Sante Fe, NM, Wednesday, July 10, 2024. Her husband, Alec Baldwin, is on trial for involuntary manslaughter after the fatal shooting of "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital) Hilaria Baldwin leaves her hotel in Sante Fe, NM, Wednesday, July 10, 2024. Her husband, Alec Baldwin, is on trial for involuntary manslaughter after the fatal shooting of "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital) Hilaria Baldwin leaves her hotel in Sante Fe, NM, Wednesday, July 10, 2024. Her husband, Alec Baldwin, is on trial for involuntary manslaughter after the fatal shooting of "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital) Rebecca Rosenberg is a veteran journalist and book author with a focus on crime and criminal justice. Email tips to rebecca.rosenberg@fox.com and @ReRosenberg.
"This was an unspeakable tragedy, but Alec Baldwin committed no crime," Spiro said. "He was an actor acting, playing the role of Harlan Rust. An actor playing a character."
The veteran thespian, who is facing an involuntary manslaughter charge, was holding the gun that went off, shooting and killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza on the set of "Rust" while filming in Santa Fe in 2021.