Jury selected as Alec Baldwin goes on trial for involuntary manslaughter
Opening statements in Hollywood star Alec Baldwin's trial for involuntary manslaughter are set to start Wednesday in Santa Fe, New Mexico after 11 women and five men were selected to be jurors Tuesday. The actor is facing the charges after fatally shooting cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on a movie set in 2021.
Sixteen jurors were seated Tuesday for Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial in New Mexico, where opening statements are set to start Wednesday.
Five men and 11 women were chosen by Santa Fe County special prosecutors and the actor’s team of defense attorneys. Twelve will be designated as the jury and four as alternates by the court only after they hear the case.
They’ll be tasked with deciding whether Baldwin committed the felony when, during a rehearsal in October 2021, a revolver went off while he was pointing it at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza . They were on the set of the Western film “Rust,” at Bonanza Creek Ranch some 18 miles (29 kilometers) from where the trial is being held.
Media members were not allowed in the courtroom when attorneys used their challenges to strike jurors. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer swore in the jury, told them to avoid news about the case and to report Wednesday morning.
Baldwin, 66, could get up to 18 months in prison if the jurors unanimously find him guilty.
The selection got off to a slow start Tuesday with a delay of over two hours due to technical problems, but the panel was selected in a single day as expected.
Two others indicated they would not be able to be fair and impartial and were excused.
(AP)
Read more on FRANCE 24 English
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