Alec Baldwin Fails to Block Potentially Damaging Calls with Wife and Assistant

Alec Baldwin faced a setback on Thursday as he failed to prevent jurors from hearing potentially incriminating private phone conversations he had with his wife Hilaria and an assistant. These calls were made just hours after the accidental shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust” on October 21, 2021.

During the two calls, recorded while Baldwin was being interviewed by investigators, the actor discussed the family’s plans to join him in New Mexico. Baldwin mentioned how their eldest daughter Carmen was scheduled to make a cameo in the movie and suggested the family should still make the trip since their travel plans were non-refundable. “I won’t work, and we’ll go and enjoy ourselves,” Baldwin is heard saying. At that time, Baldwin had not been informed that Hutchins had passed away.

Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey argued for the calls to be admitted as evidence, stating, “He does not know Ms. Hutchins has passed, but he knows she is critically injured.” Considering that Baldwin’s defense team had emphasized how panicked and upset he was, Morrissey highlighted that Baldwin planning a vacation contradicted their claims. “This is obviously information that directly contradicts what the defense has argued,” Morrissey added.

Baldwin’s lawyer, Heather M. LeBlanc, contended that the call was too prejudicial for the jury to consider. “None of this is probative to any elements of the crime he’s charged with,” LeBlanc said. She argued that the call’s contents might mislead the jury into viewing Baldwin as callous or uncaring toward Hutchins, which she asserted was not accurate.

Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer sided with the prosecutors, noting that Baldwin’s defense had opened the door to his state of mind after the shooting. Considering the defense’s portrayal of Baldwin as distraught, the judge ruled that the calls were relevant to rebut those claims. “I do find that it’s relevant to basically respond to [the defense] talking about how upset Mr. Baldwin was,” the judge remarked.

Baldwin, 66, has pleaded not guilty to a single count of involuntary manslaughter in the tragic incident. The actor maintains that he did not pull the trigger on the replica revolver that fired the fatal shot and argues that he was denied the opportunity to inspect the weapon because the FBI broke it during testing. Baldwin insists that others on the “Rust” set were responsible for gun safety and that he had no reason to believe his prop weapon was loaded with a live round.

Prosecutors, however, allege that Baldwin should have checked the gun himself and that he was obligated to follow basic firearm safety rules. They argue that Baldwin should never have pointed the revolver at Hutchins and that he is lying about not pulling the trigger.

In his opening statement, Baldwin’s lawyer Alex Spiro argued that even if Baldwin did pull the trigger, it would make him a “liar,” not liable for manslaughter. “It was obviously a tragic accident, but Alec committed no homicide,” Spiro stated. He emphasized that Baldwin had trusted the professionals on set to ensure the prop’s safety and had no involvement in tampering or loading the weapon.

Spiro referenced Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the young armorer convicted of involuntary manslaughter at her own trial in March. She is currently serving an 18-month sentence while appealing the conviction.

Source: Rolling Stone