Alec Baldwin's 'Rust' Trial: Judge Excludes Evidence of Producer Status

In a pretrial hearing, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled that prosecutors cannot introduce evidence of Alec Baldwin's role as a producer on the "Rust" film in his involuntary manslaughter trial. The defense argued that it was irrelevant to the charges and would confuse the jury.

SANTA FE, N.M – In a significant blow to the prosecution, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer has ruled that prosecutors in Alec Baldwin's involuntary manslaughter trial cannot introduce evidence of his status as a producer on the film "Rust."

The defense had requested that the evidence be excluded, arguing that it was irrelevant to the charges against Baldwin and would only serve to confuse the jury. The judge agreed, stating that the probative value of the evidence was not substantially outweighed by its prejudicial effect.

Alec Baldwin's 'Rust' Trial: Judge Excludes Evidence of Producer Status

Baldwin, who was seated at the defense table, did not react to the ruling.

Prosecutors had argued that as producer of the film and the most experienced member of the cast, Baldwin was ultimately responsible for the reckless behavior on the set, which led to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Alec Baldwin's 'Rust' Trial: Judge Excludes Evidence of Producer Status

Special prosecutor Erlinda Johnson argued in court papers that Baldwin's role as producer "emboldened him in the days before October 21, 2021, to engage in conduct that placed others, including Ms. Hutchins at risk, by rushing crew members and making demands for quick changes to scenes, sending crew members scrambling."

Johnson contended that Baldwin should have been aware that he was being "reckless and wanton" when he pointed the gun at Hutchins.

Alec Baldwin's 'Rust' Trial: Judge Excludes Evidence of Producer Status

However, defense lawyer Luke Nikas argued that Baldwin's role as producer is irrelevant to the allegations against him and would only confuse the jury.

"This case is about whether or not Alec Baldwin recklessly pointed a gun at Halyna Hutchins and killed her," Nikas said. "It's not about his role as a producer."

Alec Baldwin's 'Rust' Trial: Judge Excludes Evidence of Producer Status

Judge Sommer ultimately agreed with Nikas, ruling that the evidence of Baldwin's producer status was not admissible.

The exclusion of this evidence is a setback for prosecutors, who were hoping to use it to support their argument that Baldwin was reckless and negligent in his handling of the gun on the set of "Rust."

However, the trial is expected to go ahead as scheduled, with jury selection set to begin this week.

* Baldwin pleaded not guilty to two counts of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Hutchins.

* The movie's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, was convicted at trial of the same charge and is currently serving an 18-month sentence.

* The exclusion of the producer status evidence does not mean that Baldwin will be acquitted of the charges against him.

* The trial is expected to be a lengthy and contentious one, with both sides expected to present a significant amount of evidence.