Hollywood Week: Alec Baldwin Trial Date, Florida Panthers Win Stanley Cup, Martin Mull

Details: Category: Haute This Issue; Published on Saturday, 29 June 2024 12:39; Written by Janet Walker

Alec Baldwin was denied his motion to dismiss the involuntary manslaughter indictment by a New Mexico judge on Friday, and the prosecution case against him will proceed, with jury selection slated to begin July 9, 2024.

Alec Baldwin Involuntary Manslaughter Trial Date

The involuntary manslaughter trial for Actor Alec Baldwin, who fired the fatal shot that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, and wounded director Joel Souza, during the filming of the movie, "Rust," is set to begin in Santa Fe, New Mexico on July 9, 2024.

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Baldwin, who has pleaded not guilty lost his bid to have the charges dismissed when New Mexico Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer denied the motion to dismiss the indictment. Baldwin has been charged twice. The first case was dismissed. Through a series of judicial maneuvering, the special prosecutor and district attorney both stepped down; the first case was dropped.

In Baldwin's initial statement's to New Mexico detectives, he stated, he did not fire the gun, and had no idea how a live round ended up in the chamber of the gun. "I would never point a gun at anyone and pull a trigger at them — never," The New York Times reported the actor stating in an article dated December 1, 2021. FBI Forensics have countered these initial statement with fact based determination that the weapon would need to be fired in order to have the ammunition discharge from the chamber.

After the prosecution of the film's armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the case against Baldwin went before a Grand Jury to allow the people to decide if the evidence was clear, and substantial, to move forward with prosecuting the actor.

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Testimony during the Gutierrez-Reed trial, which will be used in the case against Baldwin, indicated Gutierrez-Reed was less professional than other armorers, and she did not maintain control over her specific duties, and the weapons lying around, and the "blanks" were stored in a bag, that she would reach into and retrieve when needed.

The fact that Baldwin, who is known to be quick tempered, was allegedly bullying and intimidating the crew, resulted in other crew members being less assertive in dealing with the actor. Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty and is serving an 18-month sentence for involuntary manslaughter. She is in prison while she appeals the verdict.

The Colt .45 Baldwin used on the film set, which has become a critical piece of evidence, was broken up into pieces during the FBI's testing process. Although the actor's lawyer's attempted to use the destruction of the prop gun, from a single unit to several pieces, as foundation for dismissal, the judge stated, it was only conjecture that the destruction of the weapon itself would be the singular piece of evidence that could convict the actor.

If convicted Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison.

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Florida Panthers Win Stanley Cup

After losing the first three games of the National Hockey League finals, the Florida Panthers surprised everyone by winning the Stanley Cup, and holding the Edmonton Oilers to a single point. in a come from behind victory.

Actor, Comedian Martin Mull Dies

Martin Mull, a versatile comedic actor, known for his roles in movies and television, died this week, in Los Angeles. He was 80.

While he began his career in the 1970's on the hit comedy show, "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman," many will remember him for his seven seasons on the hit television show, "Rosanne," where he played the title characters gay employer. He often played characters who were clueless or out of touch. He also had recurring role on "Sabrina: The Teenage Witch" opposite Melissa Joan Hart.

"Mr. Mull also stood out for supporting roles in the movies "Mr. Mom" (1983) and "Clue" (1985), based on the board game, in which he played the tweedy Colonel Mustard, and on TV shows including "Roseanne," the political sitcom "Veep" and the cult comedy "Arrested Development," in which he was an incompetent private investigator named Gene Parmesan," reported The New York Times.

Mull is survived by his wife, Wendy, and daughter.