Jury Selection Begins in Alec Baldwin Involuntary Manslaughter Trial

Seventy prospective jurors in Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter Rust trial were questioned by New Mexico Judge Mary Marlowe Sommers on Tuesday.

The start of jury selection began about two and a half hours later than expected because of issues involving the sound system in the Santa Fe courtroom, New Mexico courts spokesperson Barry Massey confirmed to Newsweek.

Baldwin, 66, wore a grey suit, dark tie, white shirt with glasses and neatly combed hair. He sat in the back of the courtroom with his wife, Hilaria, and his brother Stephen.

The judge read the involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin stemming from the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the western movie Rust in October 2021, according to the Associated Press.

He could face up to 18 months in prison if convicted of involuntary manslaughter. He has pled not guilty to his charge. On Monday, the judge ruled in favor of the defense that Baldwin’s secondary role as a producer on the film is not relevant in this trial.

Sommers proceeded to ask the potential jurors questions to rule out anyone who could not serve due to certain issues. All but two people claimed they were already familiar with the case and one potential juror claimed they knew the defense attorneys, AP reports.

The judge asked for a show of hands of people who do not feel they cannot be fair or unbiased, and two hands went up. Those people were dismissed from the trial.

More than 15 people come forward with alleged scheduling conflicts and obligations, ranging from planned medical procedures, a vacation with plane tickets purchased, child and elderly care obligations, scheduled surgeries, and more.

At least six people approached the judge, claiming they had issues with exposure to media coverage that might influence others in the trial, AP reports. They were also asked about views on firearms when one woman stated she hated firearms. Many others acknowledged owning firearms and very few expressed strong opinions about guns.

Seemingly while jury selection was underway on Tuesday, Baldwin posted to Instagram, endorsing Democratic Senator for Rhode Island Sheldon Whitehouse as vice president.

Whitehouse has served as the junior United States senator from Rhode Island since 2007. He has not expressed intent to run for vice president in the 2024 election but will seek a fourth term in the Senate.

Opening arguments in Baldiwn’s trial are expected to take place on Wednesday.

Do you have a story Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com