The “Rust” actor has waived his pre-trial appearances and will now make his courtroom debut. He is charged with involuntary manslaughter on two counts. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer has the authority to sentence the 66-year-old actor to up to 18 months in prison if found guilty.
Baldwin’s attorneys made a valiant effort to have the charge dropped before to the July 9 start date, but Sommer turned down all three of their requests. A few legal arguments were presented by Alex Spiro and Luke Nikas in favor of dropping the case, including evidence destruction, a biased grand jury, and a failure to allege a crime.
Nonetheless, Sommer dismissed every contention during a round of hearings.
Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed the following day when a gun that Baldwin had been holding went off.
The assistant director had given Baldwin the gun just prior to the shooting. According to rumors, Dave Halls and armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed had both stated that the rifle was “cold,” meaning it contained no live ammunition.
During the conversation, the actor recounted the exact moment the gun went off. Baldwin said, “I let go of the hammer of the gun,” to George Stephanopoulos of the news. “And the gun goes off.”
