Alec Baldwin Pleads Not Guilty in ‘Rust’ Case, Demands Speedy Trial
In a surprising turn of events, actor Alec Baldwin has pleaded not guilty and demanded a speedy trial in the ongoing “Rust” case. This comes over two years after the fatal shooting that resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Baldwin was charged for a second time with involuntary manslaughter on January 19, 2023, in connection to the tragic incident that occurred on set.
The incident took place on October 21, 2021, during a rehearsal scene when a gun Baldwin was holding discharged, fatally injuring Hutchins. The actor now faces charges of involuntary manslaughter, negligent use of a firearm, or, in the alternative, involuntary manslaughter without due caution or circumspection. In response to the charges, Baldwin’s legal team has demanded a speedy trial for the 65-year-old Hollywood star.
As part of his conditions of release, Baldwin must adhere to all federal, state, tribal, and local laws. He is prohibited from possessing firearms or dangerous weapons and is not allowed to consume alcohol or illegal substances. Additionally, he cannot leave the United States without written permission from the court. Baldwin must maintain contact with his attorney and avoid any contact with the alleged victim(s) or potential witnesses in the case.
While Baldwin is permitted to have contact with potential witnesses from the “Rust” film, he is explicitly prohibited from discussing the accident at issue. However, he is allowed to engage in related business matters such as promoting the movie and other similar activities.
Baldwin’s legal team argues that he is entitled to a fair and speedy disposition of the charges to minimize public vilification and suspicion. They believe that lengthy delays in a prosecution often lead to difficulties in proving innocence. By demanding a speedy trial, they aim to put pressure on the prosecution and force them to push the case to trial. According to former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani, this strategy is typically employed when defense attorneys believe the prosecution has a weak case.
However, criminal defense attorney Robert J. Degroot suggests that a speedy trial may not be in Baldwin’s best interests. He points out that another defendant, the “armorer” on the location, is scheduled for trial, and her explanation for the presence of live rounds could have an immediate impact on Baldwin’s case.
Throughout the investigation, Baldwin has maintained his innocence, claiming that he did not pull the trigger of the gun. In an interview with George Stephanopoulos, he vehemently denied pointing a gun at anyone and pulling the trigger. However, the FBI conducted an accidental-discharge test and concluded that the gun used in the fatal shooting “could not be made to fire without a pull of the trigger.”
This is not the first time Baldwin has faced charges in connection to the “Rust” case. He was originally charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter on January 31, 2023, but the charges were later dropped in April. The prosecution cited the need for further investigation and forensic analysis that could not be completed before Baldwin’s scheduled preliminary hearing.
As the trial for “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed approaches, Baldwin has not been included on any witness list submitted by the prosecution. Gutierrez-Reed is facing charges of evidence tampering and involuntary manslaughter.
The outcome of Baldwin’s plea and his demand for a speedy trial remains uncertain. As the legal proceedings continue, the industry and the public eagerly await further developments in this high-profile case.