A court ruling on Friday paved the way for an involuntary manslaughter trial against Alec Baldwin in early July, denying a request to dismiss the case over damaged evidence. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer rejected the motion, allowing prosecutors to move forward with the trial scheduled for July 9 in Santa Fe.
The case stems from a fatal shooting on the set of the film “Rust” in 2021, where Baldwin pointed a gun that went off, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Baldwin maintains he did not pull the trigger and has pleaded not guilty.
Despite the gun being damaged during FBI testing, prosecutors argue it was still functional and could only fire with a trigger pull. Baldwin will have the opportunity to testify at his trial, where over 60 witnesses, including wounded film director Joel Souza and other key figures, are expected to take the stand.
The judge’s ruling emphasized the need for transparency regarding the testing’s impact on the case, ensuring a fair trial for both parties. As preparations continue for the trial, the outcome remains uncertain in this high-profile legal saga.
Source: The Associated Press