Opening statements are set to start Wednesday in the trial of award-winning actor Alec Baldwin , who is charged in the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film "Rust." Baldwin has pleaded not guilty in the case . Jury selection Tuesday was marked by delays, with the questioning of the 70 potential jurors starting several hours later than expected.
But by the end of the day, that pool had been winnowed to 16 jurors, 4 of whom are alternates. The 11 women and five men seated will hear the case over the coming weeks and decide whether to convict the 66-year-old actor. Here's what to know.
What happened on the "Rust" set? Around 2 p.m. local time on Oct.
21, 2021, a prop firearm held by Baldwin went off, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza during a rehearsal in a small church on the set. Baldwin, the Western's star and coproducer, has said he pulled back the Colt .45's hammer, but did not pull the trigger .
Authorities were called to the set at the Bonanza Creek Ranch and Hutchins was taken to the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque via helicopter, where she died of her injuries, according to the sheriff's office at the time. Authorities who searched the set recovered live ammunition. The New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator determined in 2022 that the incident was an accident .
What charge does Alec Baldwin face? Alec Baldwin faces a charge of involuntary manslaughter, a felony. If convicted, he could face up to.