A defence attorney characterized Alec Baldwin's shooting of a cinematographer as "an unspeakable tragedy," asserting that "he committed no crime; he was simply acting."

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — In a Santa Fe courtroom on Wednesday, defence attorney Alex Spiro addressed jurors, describing the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins as a tragic incident but emphasizing that Alec Baldwin, now on trial for involuntary manslaughter, was performing his role as an actor on the set of the film "Rust," where the tragedy occurred in October 2021.

"I won't elaborate further because you've all witnessed gunfights in movies," Spiro told the jury. Special prosecutor Erlinda Ocampo Johnson countered in her opening statement that Baldwin had disregarded safety protocols and mishandled a revolver before the shooting. "The evidence will show that the defendant, Alexander Baldwin, violated basic firearm safety rules while engaging in make-believe with a real gun," Ocampo Johnson asserted. Spiro argued that these safety rules are not absolute on a film set. "On a movie set, safety procedures must be followed before a gun is placed in an actor’s hand," Spiro insisted to the jury.

The trial's initial witness, Nicholas LeFleur, a former sheriff's deputy, recounted his arrival at Bonanza Creek Ranch after the shooting. Video from LeFleur's body camera displayed the chaotic scene as efforts were made to aid Hutchins, who appeared unconscious. Baldwin watched solemnly as the footage played in court.

During the trial, Baldwin was observed intently focused on Spiro during his attorney's statements, occasionally glancing at notes. His family members, including wife Hilaria Baldwin and siblings Stephen Baldwin and Elizabeth Keuchler, displayed visible emotion in the courtroom.

The jury, composed of 16 members including alternates, hails from a region influenced by strong gun ownership and safety practices due to hunting traditions. Hutchins' death and the injury to director Joel Souza shocked the film industry and led to a single felony charge against Baldwin, who could face up to 18 months in prison if convicted.

Spiro maintained that the shooting was accidental, emphasizing that Baldwin followed instructions and did not knowingly fire a loaded gun. "No one saw him intentionally pull the trigger," Spiro asserted. The trial will examine technical aspects of the weapon and whether it could discharge without a trigger pull, a point contested by prosecutors.

Attorney Gloria Allred, representing individuals in a civil lawsuit related to the incident, was present in the courtroom, highlighting Baldwin's legal challenges. Throughout the proceedings, the jury appeared engrossed by the evidence, including police camera footage, as the trial got underway.