(NewsNation) — The first law enforcement member to arrive on the set of the film “Rust” the day cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed took the stand at Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial Wednesday.
Nicholas LeFleur, a former Santa Fe County Sheriff’s deputy, testified that when he arrived, people were “running everywhere,” making his job challenging. He estimated there were at least 100 people at the scene.
The shooting death of Hutchins nearly three years ago sent shock waves through the film industry. During a rehearsal in October 2021, Baldwin was using a gun meant to be loaded with dummy rounds when he allegedly pointed it at the camera and fired.
Baldwin has pleaded not guilty to one felony charge that could result in up to 18 months in prison.
Opening statements
In opening statements Wednesday, a prosecutor told jurors that the actor skipped safety checks and recklessly handled the revolver in the moments leading up to the shooting.
“The evidence will show that someone who played make-believe with a real gun and violated the cardinal rules of firearm safety is the defendant, Alexander Baldwin,” said special prosecutor Erlinda Ocampo Johnson.
She emphasized that the ‘Rust’ set was a workplace.
“The evidence will show that, like in many workplaces, there are people who act in a reckless manner and place other people in danger,” Johnson said. “That, you will hear, is the defendant.”
Baldwin’s lawyer Alex Spiro, meanwhile, said in court that his client did exactly what actors always do on a film set.
“I don’t have to tell you any more about this because you’ve all seen gunfights in movies,” Spiro said.
Safety, Spiro said, should be ensured before the weapon gets to an actor.
“It was obviously a tragic accident, but Alec Baldwin committed no crime,” Spiro said.
A 16-person jury — 11 women and five men — was selected Tuesday; four jurors will be deemed alternates, while the other 12 will deliberate once they get the case.
Witness testimony
Body camera video from the day of the shooting was shown to the court. The footage included LeFleur rushing out of his car to a church on set that people were directing him to. Several first responders and crew members could be seen surrounding Hutchins and Souza.
In the video, Souza can be heard screaming in pain.
Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey pointed out that LeFleur did not separate the witnesses and allowed them to confer with each other and exchange stories about how the shooting happened.
At the scene, LeFleur says Baldwin told him that he was holding the gun. He also told Morrissey that other people said Baldwin pulled the trigger.
Defense attorney Spiro said that the scene was very unusual for a killing. Many crew members surrounded Baldwin, shaking his hand and offering his support.
Timoteo Benavidez, who was a lieutenant at the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office when the shooting happened, was the second witness to testify.
What charges is Alec Baldwin facing?
Baldwin is facing charges he negligently disregarded the safety of others after Hutchins was killed.
Although the actor maintained he did not pull the trigger and that the gun fired by accident, FBI analysts disputed this after examining the weapon.
It’s not clear who brought live rounds onto the set.
What happened to Hannah Gutierrez-Reed?
Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is currently serving an 18-month prison sentence for involuntary manslaughter after being convicted earlier this year. She was the person on set responsible for maintaining and keeping track of weapons used in the movie. Prosecutors alleged she was negligent for not realizing live rounds had been mixed in with a box of dummy rounds.
Gutierrez-Reed’s lawyers argued that producers had failed to keep the set safe and did not hold enough safety meetings. They also said Baldwin had failed to pay attention to firearms safety briefings.
Gutierrez-Reed has appealed and has accused prosecutors of withholding evidence.
NewsNation’s Steph Whiteside, Brian Entin and Kelsey Kernstein and the Associated Press contributed to this story.
