Alec Baldwin's 'Rust' Trial Scheduled For August Following Not Guilty Plea

Actor Alec Baldwin was arraigned in a New Mexico court on February 1 after being charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was shot and killed on the set of the Western film in October 2021. Director Joel Souza was also hospitalized as a result of the incident, as he had been standing behind Hutchins when she was shot.

The Santa Fe D.A. charged both the "30 Rock" actor and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed with two counts of involuntary manslaughter in January 2023; however, the charges against Baldwin were dropped in April 2023 as law enforcement officials continued their investigation. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was slapped with an additional charge of tampering with evidence after an unidentified witness told prosecutors that she transferred cocaine to another individual on the day that Hutchins was killed, thus impeding the police investigation. Her trial, which was originally scheduled for December 2023, has been scheduled for February 2024.

In January 2024, special prosecutors charged the actor with involuntary manslaughter for a second time after initially dismissing the first set of charges without prejudice.

According to new court documents obtained by The Blast, the 65-year-old actor is due in court on August 6, 2024, to defend himself against charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who passed away when a gun he was holding on set went off.

On January 31, Baldwin waived his right to an arraignment and pleaded not guilty. According to the New Mexico court documents, the last day to submit a change of plea is July 22, 2024.

According to the conditions of his release, the actor may not drink alcohol or do drugs. He may not possess a firearm and must obey all state, local, and federal laws. In addition, he may not discuss the "Rust" incident with anyone who previously worked on the film. He can, however, talk about "Rust" as it relates to business matters; the film has yet to schedule a release date.

Both Alec Baldwin and his wife, Hilaria Baldwin, are apparently feeling the pressure of the refiled criminal charges. The couple has seven children together; they welcomed their youngest in September 2022.

A source told People magazine that the Baldwins have found the new charges "frustrating" and "very stressful" as they try to raise their growing family. “They had a great Christmas and New Year. Hilaria also just turned 40. This is not how they wanted to start the new year," the source told the publication.

"It’s stressful for Hilaria. It’s frustrating for them both that Alec is being recharged. They knew there was a possibility there would be a new indictment," they added. "The back and forth is hard. It’s very stressful.”

In a statement posted to their website on January 25, SAG-AFTRA came to the defense of the "30 Rock" actor and claimed that checking a firearm for live ammunition was not part of the "actual duties" that an actor performs when preparing for a role. "To the extent that the charges filed on January 19 are based on an accusation of negligent use of a firearm predicated on this or any actor having a duty to inspect a firearm as part of its use, that is an incorrect assessment of the actual duties of an actor on set," their statement read.

"An actor’s job is not to be a firearms or weapons expert. Firearms are provided for use on set under the guidance of multiple expert professionals directly responsible for the safe and accurate operation of that firearm," they continued. "The Industry Standards for safety with firearms and the use of blank ammunition are clearly laid out in Safety Bulletin 1, provided by the Joint Industry-Wide Labor Management Safety Commission. The guidelines require an experienced, qualified armorer to be put in charge of all handling, use, and safekeeping of firearms on set. These duties include 'inspecting the firearm and barrel before and after every firing sequence,' and 'checking all firearms before each use.'"

"The guidelines do not make it the performer’s responsibility to check any firearm. Performers train to perform, and they are not required or expected to be experts on guns or experienced in their use. The industry assigns that responsibility to qualified professionals who oversee their use and handling in every aspect. Anyone issued a firearm on set must be given training and guidance in its safe handling and use, but all activity with firearms on a set must be under the careful supervision and control of the professional armorer and the employer," the statement concludes.

Under New Mexico law, the 65-year-old actor could face up to 18 months in prison if convicted. Baldwin's attorneys, Alex Spiro and Luke Nikas of Quinn Emanuel, said in a statement that they "look forward to our day in court" following the announcement of the charges.