Alec Baldwin and Hilaria Baldwin at Ripple of Hope Gala 2022

Hilaria Baldwin Shows Support For Alec Baldwin During 'Biased' 'Rust' Trial Jury Selection

Home / News / Hilaria Baldwin Shows Support For Alec Baldwin During 'Biased' 'Rust' Trial Jury Selection

By Kristin Myers on July 10, 2024 at 10:30 AM EDT

Hilaria Baldwin, the wife of actor Alec Baldwin, is showing her support for the actor during the jury selection for his highly anticipated "Rust" trial.

Jury selection started on Tuesday, July 9, although some jurors were eliminated after they admitted that they would be too "biased" against the "30 Rock" actor to participate in the trial.

Alec Baldwin is facing charges of involuntary manslaughter related to the death of "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter earlier this year and sentenced to the state maximum of 18 months behind bars.

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Alec Baldwin's Wife Hilaria Baldwin Shows Support After Jurors Say They Are Too 'Biased' To Participate In 'Rust' Trial

Hilaria Baldwin & Alec Baldwin walking
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Although the 66-year-old actor was supposed to travel to Santa Fe, New Mexico, for the trial by himself, his wife Hilaria Baldwin showed up to support him in the courtroom. The couple recently celebrated their 12-year anniversary on June 30.

"Alec wants to put on a brave face and go to the trial alone, but his family will be present to support him," a source told Peoplemagazine.

Hilaria, 40, was seen arriving at Santa Fe's First Judicial District Court on Tuesday, July 9, along with two of their seven children. The "Supercell" actor and his lawyer, Alec Spiro, were also present in the courtroom for jury selection.

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Alec and Hilaria share seven children: Carmen, 10, Rafael, 8, Leonardo, 7, Romeo, 5, Eduardo, 3, María, 3, and Ilaria, 19 months. Baldwin is also father to model Ireland Baldwin, whom he shares with ex-wife Kim Basinger.

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Alec Baldwin Is Reportedly 'Stressed' About Upcoming 'Rust' Trial

An emotional Alec Baldwin talks
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Last month, the same source told Peoplemagazine that the "30 Rock" actor is "stressed" and "understandably worried" about the "Rust" trial. He is especially concerned that he could face prison time. In New Mexico, involuntary manslaughter is a fourth-degree felony, which means the actor could spend up to 18 months in prison if convicted.

"He has an excellent legal team," the source said. "I don't think anyone is thinking jail time, but given the decision for Ms. Gutierrez-Reed it’s hard to know." Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was sentenced to the state maximum of 18 months even though she was a first-time offender after Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer felt that she did not express enough remorse for the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

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"You have to understand that at the end of the day, Alec is a professional actor," the source said at the time. "So when he's on set, you wind him up, you say action, he pulls out the gun and does whatever he's supposed to do on his job. Then suddenly he's facing criminal charges. It's like, how did that even happen?"

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One Juror Admitted They Were ‘Very Biased’ Against The Actor

Alec Baldwin at the 2023 Roundabout Theatre Company Gala
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On Tuesday, July 9, 11 women and 5 men were selected and sworn in out of a group of at least 70 potential jurors, according to the Associated Press. Of the 16 jurors selected, only 12 will decide whether Baldwin is guilty. The other remaining four jurors will serve as alternates if needed.

During the day, the potential jurors were asked, “Have you seen any press coverage that makes you feel biased one way or another?” Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer also asked if the potential jurors were familiar with the case. Everyone but two people raised their hands.

Two jurors were removed when they said that they could not be fair and impartial when it came to the trial. “I have read about the case and would be very biased against Mr. Baldwin," one of the excused jurors said.

Baldwin's Attorneys Asked Potential Jurors About Gun Safety

Alec Baldwin poses with gun and ammo in newly released Rust rehearsal video
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Both parties took approximately 50 minutes to get through their questioning. Baldwin's attorney, Alex Spiro, asked prospective jurors what they knew what gun safety. Spiro also asked if they would rely on expert testimony presented during the trial and not their own experience.

"Let's say you took your car to a mechanic. And you don't know anything about cars. And the mechanic told you it's safe. You'd believe him, wouldn't you?" he asked one person.

"Everyone knows you should check a gun before you fire it, whether it's real or a toy," one prospective male juror responded.

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A potential female juror was asked if there was any reason she couldn't serve. She told prosecutors that she used marijuana daily for pain. When Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer asked if she could still serve, the potential juror responded, "If I can take my marijuana," adding, "I didn't take it this morning because I knew I was driving."

Opening statements and testimony will begin Wednesday, July 10, at 8:30 AM local time.

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