Alec Baldwin “Rust” Shooting Trial Date Set for August amid His Not Guilty Plea
The actor will appear in court this summer in the trial for the fatal October 2021 'Rust' shooting, according to court documents
The upcoming trial date for Alec Baldwin over the fatal 2021 Rust shooting is scheduled to take place on Aug. 6 later this year.
The 65-year-old actor is due to be tried in connection with the shooting that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza, per New Mexico court documents obtained by PEOPLE. The confirmed date comes as Baldwin pleaded not guilty to the new charge on Jan. 31.
Baldwin entered his plea in court documents filed last month as he waived his right to an arraignment. The filing came after the actor was indicted for the second time by a New Mexico grand jury on Jan. 19 over the shooting.
The new court documents state that the last day to submit a request for change of plea is July 22.
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Related: How Can Alec Baldwin Be Charged Again for the Shooting of Halyna Hutchins? A Legal Expert Explains
In January 2023, Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter; however the charges were dropped three months later, delaying the criminal case. Following his second indictment in January, the actor was released on his personal recognizance, according to court documents.
Other conditions of Baldwin’s release were that he may not possess a firearm or dangerous weapon, may not consume drugs or alcohol, must not leave the country without written permission from the court and must obey all local, state and federal laws.
The Saturday Night Live alum was permitted by the court to promote Rust. He is not allowed however to talk about the incident with those part of the production who may testify or the alleged victim(s) of the shooting.
In 2021, Baldwin held a prop gun that discharged on the set of the forthcoming Western, killing Hutchins, 42, and injuring Souza, 50. The actor has maintained that he didn’t pull the trigger in the incident and he wasn’t aware the gun contained a live bullet.
Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison if he is convicted of his new charges of involuntary manslaughter (negligent use of a firearm) or involuntary manslaughter (without due caution or circumspection), according to New Mexico law.
Following his second indictment, the actor received public support from SAG-AFTRA.
"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," the union said in a January statement.
"An actor’s job is not to be a firearms or weapons expert," the statement continued. "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."
Baldwin's lawyers Alex Spiro and Luke Nikas of Quinn Emanuel added in response to the indictment, "We look forward to our day in court.”
Gloria Allred, an attorney for Hutchins' family, slammed SAG-AFTRA's support for Baldwin, saying in a statement, "The notion that an actor is not responsible if that actor holds a gun, points it at someone on a movie set, and discharges the weapon flies in the face of common sense and the law."
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