Alec Baldwin Is 'Understandably Worried' as His “Rust” Involuntary Manslaughter Trial Looms (Exclusive Source)

A source tells PEOPLE the actor is stressed about the possible outcome of the upcoming trial

As Alec Baldwin's upcoming trial for involuntary manslaughter looms closer, a source tells PEOPLE that the actor, 65, is feeling the pressure.

"Alec is stressed," the source says. "He is understandably worried."

This July, Baldwin, who was indicted in January for his role in the accidental shooting death of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, will head to New Mexico for the trial.

The source says because the film's armorer, 26-year-old Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter in her mismanagement of the props on set, Baldwin has to consider all the possibilities, including that he too could go to jail.

"He has an excellent legal team," says the source. "I don't think anyone is thinking jail time, but given the decision for Ms. Gutierrez-Reed it’s hard to know."

Related: Rust Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed Sentenced to Maximum Penalty of 18 Months in Prison

Cinematographer Hutchins, 42, was killed on the New Mexico set of the Western in October 2021, when a gun being used by Baldwin's character in the film was accidentally loaded with a real bullet instead of a fake and hit Hutchins in the chest after being discharged.

Related: Everything to Know About the Rust Shooting Case and Alec Baldwin's Upcoming Trial

"You have to understand that at the end of the day Alec is a professional actor," the source says. "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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Baldwin maintains he didn't fire the gun, but a legal expert recently told PEOPLE he has reason to be worried about the trial's outcome, especially because the same judge, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer, who presided of Gutierrez-Reed's trial is also overseeing his.

Emily D. Baker, a lawyer and former L.A. Deputy District Attorney, previously told PEOPLE, “I imagine Baldwin and his legal team are going to have serious discussions about what it means if he is convicted."

Related: Alec Baldwin Wants His Rust Manslaughter Case Dismissed. A Legal Expert Notes His ‘Strongest Argument’ (Exclusive)

She pointed out that Gutierrez-Reed had no prior convictions, so her sentencing was surprisingly harsh. "Not only did she get 18 months, but she got 18 months as a serious and violent felony, which means she will have to serve 85 percent of that time," Baker said.

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