The trial for actor Alec Baldwin, who faces an involuntary manslaughter, will start July 9.
The date was set by a New Mexico judge. Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter involving a 2021 shooting death on the set of the Western movie “Rust,” the Associated Press reported.
Jury selection starts on July 9, with the trial starting July 10.
The trial is expected to last eight days.
“Baldwin, the lead actor and a co-producer on the film, pleaded not guilty in January, the day before he was scheduled to be arraigned,” the AP reported. “A grand jury had indicted him after prosecutors received a new analysis of the revolver he was using during filming, renewing a charge that prosecutors originally filed and then dismissed in April 2023.”
A gun fired as Baldwin was pointing it at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal. Hutchins was killed and director Joel Souza was injured.
“Baldwin has said he pulled back the hammer — but not the trigger — and the gun fired,” according to the AP. “The subsequent analysis concluded that ‘the trigger had to be pulled or depressed sufficiently to release the fully cocked or retracted hammer of the evidence revolver.’”
Hannah Gutierrez, the weapons supervisor on “Rust,“ is on trial for involuntary manslaughter and a charge of tampering with evidence.
Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison if convicted.
“Baldwin remains free pending trial under conditions that include not possessing firearms, consuming alcohol or leaving the country. Baldwin can have limited contact with witnesses when it comes to promoting “Rust,” which has not been released for public viewing,” the AP reported.