- The 65-year-old actor has requested his constitutional right to a speedy trial
- Baldwin was charged for the second time last week in connection with the Rust tragedy
- He has until February 1 to respond to involuntary manslaughter charges
Alec Baldwin has filed a petition to have his manslaughter trial begin “sooner rather than later” to “minimize public vilification.”
The 65-year-old actor was ordered to appear before a judge in New Mexico after prosecutors charged him for the second time last week in connection with the shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust.”
Court documents first obtained by TMZ revealed that he has until February 1 to formally respond to the allegations. He has consistently denied any responsibility for the shooting.
Baldwin's lawyers reportedly asked in the documents to invoke the actor's constitutional right to a speedy trial.
Baldwin was seen on the streets of Manhattan after being charged for the second time over the tragedy on the set of the “Rust” film
Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot by Baldwin on the set of the 2021 film “Rust,” with a gun the actor claims was loaded with blanks
Baldwin may not have to physically travel to New Mexico for his Feb. 1 court date, as he has the option to appear by telephone or video conference.
His lawyers reportedly responded almost immediately to the indictment in court filings, arguing that continued media interest in his case could affect a jury's ability to be impartial.
The filing said a speedy trial would “minimize public vilification and suspicion” and “avoid the dangers of proving his innocence that often arise after a long delay in prosecution.”
Last week, Baldwin was handed new charges of involuntary manslaughter by negligent use of a firearm, similar charges he previously faced before they were dropped last year.
The 65-year-old claims he was under the impression that the gun he was handed on the film set was a prop pistol loaded with blank cartridges.
He claims he never pulled the trigger and said the gun unexpectedly fired a live round when he pulled back and let go of the hammer, ultimately killing Hutchins and injuring the film's director.
Prosecutors countered that Baldwin should have personally checked to make sure the gun was not loaded with live ammunition, even though such ammunition was already banned on film sets.
After the second count, his attorneys Alex Spiro and Luke Nikas said in a statement that they “look forward to our day in court.”
If convicted, Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison.
Baldwin was pictured in costume while filming the western after the fatal shooting
This aerial photo shows part of the Bonanza Creek Ranch film set in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the site of the horror shootout
The film's gunsmith, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, is scheduled to appear in court in February where she will plead not guilty to involuntary manslaughter.
Prosecutors accused them of failing to properly check the weapon's ammunition and allowing live shots onto the set of the Western film.