Alec Baldwin’s Rust shooting trial begins after wife Hilaria ‘hauls baby to court in strategic move’ to support husband
ALEC Baldwin’s wife has brought their baby to his Rust trial in a strategic move, experts say.
As opening statements in Baldwin‘s manslaughter trial began on Wednesday, Hilaria Baldwin, 40, decided to bring the couple’s youngest child to the courtroom during jury selection on Tuesday.
Though some may see the move as a show of support, experts questioned her decision.
“The bringing of the child is unusual because it’s not really a great place for a child,” divorce attorney Christopher C. Melcher told Fox News Digital.
“And you’ve got to think, if they have care with a nanny, why bring the child other than for show?”
On Tuesday, Hilaria took the baby — one of her eight children — out of the car and held her near cameras before she was handed off to a caretaker.
In mere moments, the baby and caretaker left again in the same car.
‘STRATEGIC’
Experts suspect the move could have been to humanize the actor, 66, to the public and potential jurors.
They also claimed the couple was aware of their actions and the reaction they would have.
“There’s many people who have to go to court, and they have no child care, and they’re stuck bringing their kid to court,” Melcher said.
“That happens quite often. But, you know, this is not the situation with the Baldwins.
“They could have afforded child care. A courthouse is not really a place for a child. So, it does seem to be strategic.”
Another lawyer considered that the move was to soften his harsh reputation.
Prosecutors argued while on the set of Rust, Baldwin would scream and curse at others and himself for often no reason, according to Variety.
“To watch Mr. Baldwin’s conduct on the set of ‘Rust’ is to witness a man who has absolutely no control of his own emotions and absolutely no concern for how his conduct affects those around him,” prosecutor Kari Morrissey, per Variety.
She also said the actor continued to change his story following the shooting and deflected responsibility onto others.
Timeline of events post the fatal shooting
HALYNA Hutchins was killed on the set of Western blockbuster 'Rust' - here is a timeline of key events that followed the tragedy.
October 6, 2021 – Production on Rust begins in Sante Fe, New Mexico
October 21, 2021 – Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins is shot and killed by a prop gun actor Alec Baldwin was rehearsing with
Nov 17, 2021 – The script supervisor files a lawsuit accusing Baldwin of ‘playing Russian roulette’ by pointing a revolver at Hutchins
Dec 2, 2021 – Baldwin speaks out and denies pulling the trigger and said he has ‘no idea’ why live rounds were on set
Jan 12, 2022 – Armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed files a lawsuit against the ammunition box manufacturer for ‘failing to state the boxes contained both live and dummy rounds’
Feb 15, 2922 – Hutchins’ family files wrongful death suit against Rust’s producers
April 20, 2022 – Rust production fined over failures that led to ‘avoidable death’
October 5, 2022 – Hutchins’ family reaches a settlement with the production company and Baldwin
Nov 11, 2022 – Baldwin files lawsuit alleging negligence of several crew members
Jan 31, 2023 – Involuntary manslaughter charges announced against Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed
Feb 23, 2023 – Baldwin pleads not guilty
March 31, 2023 – David Hall, Rust’s first assistant director, was sentenced to six months probation after pleading guilty to unsafe handling of a firearm
April 20, 2023 – Manslaughter charges against Baldwin dropped
June 22, 2023 – Gutierrez-Reed additionally charged with tampering with evidence
August 9, 2023 – The armorer pleads not guilty
Jan 19, 2024 – Baldwin indicted by grand jury again for manslaughter
Jan 31, 2024 – Baldwin again pleads not guilty
April 15, 2024 – Gutierrez-Reed was sentenced to 18 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter
June 21, 2024 – Baldwin and lawyers were denied dismissal of involuntary manslaughter charge by a New Mexico judge
July 9, 2024 – Rust trial begins
“As a defense attorney, you always want to humanize someone that’s on trial, to show that they’re more than this incident that’s under a microscope,” said attorney Elizabeth Bunker, according to Fox News Digital.
“Having family support can show the jury that a lot of people care about the outcome of this case and can subtly encourage them to really dig deep and pay attention to the facts.”
On Wednesday, the Baldwin family showed up in full force to support the embattled actor for the start of his trial.
The Academy Award-winning actor was accompanied by his wife and his brother, Stephen.
Baldwin has pleaded not guilty on all counts.
TRAGIC SHOOTING
Baldwin is on trial for shooting and killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza on the set of the film Rust in October 2021.
The actor was using what he thought was a prop gun with fake bullets, unaware that armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed mistakenly loaded a live round.
Gutierrez-Reed is serving 18 months for involuntary manslaughter.
Baldwin has insisted he was not responsible for Hutchins’s death and was told there was no live ammunition on set.
Why would you have the baby come out of the SUV just to hand the baby off as though it’s a prop?
Mark Bederow
He continues to affirm he cocked the gun’s hammer but never fired the trigger.
However, prosecutors argue the gun could not have been fired without the actor pulling the trigger.
He faces up to 18 months in jail if he is convicted.
‘TOO PERFORMANCE-LIKE’
Though the couple may be aiming for the move to make a positive impact, Bunker warned it could also do the opposite.
“On the flip side, doing too much empathy-garnering can backfire,” she said.
“If there’s any sense of desperation, my experience is that, naturally, jurors will reject anything inauthentic and too performance-like.”
The move may also make potential jurors bitter and push them to revolt against the rich and famous.
“The risk is it could backfire if people think you have a nanny 24 hours a day,” said lawyer Mark Bederow, per Fox New Digital.
“Why would you have the baby come out of the SUV just to hand the baby off as though it’s a prop?
“It could be perceived as a contrived way to garner public support and positive coverage.”
NEW REALITY SHOW
The actor recently announced a new TLC reality show called The Baldwins.
It will follow the lives of the actor, Hilaria, and their seven children.
“We’re inviting you into our home to experience the ups and downs, the good, the bad, the wild, and the crazy,” Baldwin said in the teaser for the show.
“Home is the place we love to be most.”
The new reality show will air in 2025.
