Indexbit-Alec Baldwin's 'Rust' trial on involuntary manslaughter charge set for July

The Indexbitjury selection and trial date have been set in Alec Baldwin's New Mexico shooting case, in which he faces one charge of involuntary manslaughter in the death of "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021.

The trial is scheduled to take place over eight days, between July 10-19, district court judge Mary L. Marlowe Sommer wrote in her scheduling order, filed Monday. Jury selection will begin July 9.

Last month, Baldwin was again indicted nine months after special prosecutors dismissed an earlier involuntary manslaughter charge against the actor while noting that an investigation into the case remained "active and on-going."

He pleaded not guilty to the charge Jan. 31 and remains free on his own recognizance. The actor faces up to 18 months in prison if convicted.

Baldwin was pointing a pistol at Hutchins during a rehearsal for the Western film in October 2021 when the gun went off, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin, also a producer on the film, had claimed he'd pulled back the hammer — but not the trigger — and the gun fired. 

A gun analysis led by Lucien Haag of Forensic Science Services in Arizona stated that although Baldwin repeatedly denied pulling the trigger, "given the tests, findings and observations reported here, the trigger had to be pulled or depressed sufficiently to release the fully cocked or retracted hammer of the evidence revolver."

'Rust' movie shooting trials begin:What happens next for Alec Baldwin and his armorer?

Rust' armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed's trial is underway in New Mexico

The trial of "Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering in Hutchins' death, began last week.

Opening statements in Gutierrez-Reed's trial began Thursday in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with prosecutors hoping to secure a conviction finally.

Some participants in the "Rust" tragedy have struck plea bargains, and a past charge against Baldwin was suddenly dropped. Baldwin was re-charged by prosecutors in January; his trial is expected to take place this summer.

Gutierrez-Reed has pleaded not guilty to the charges and maintains she's not directly to blame for Hutchins' death. Prosecutors will argue Gutierrez-Reed was to blame for live ammunition ending up in a prop gun that discharged during rehearsal on Oct. 21, 2021, killing Hutchins. Defense attorneys will argue that Baldwin oversaw a sloppy set that led to the accidental death.

The latest:'Rust' trial for armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is underway

Contributing: Edward Segarra, USA TODAY; Morgan Lee, The Associated Press