Alec Baldwin's role as Rust's producer is ruled not relevant to the involuntary manslaughter trial that could see him jailed for up to 18 months as jury selection is set to kick off today

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Alec Baldwin and his legal team secured a win on the first day of arguments in his involuntary manslaughter trial over the shooting death of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in October 2021. 

The actor's lawyers were able to successfully convince the judge in the case that Baldwin's role as producer on the project is irrelevant and therefore cannot be entered as evidence.    

The manslaughter trial over the fatal shooting on the set of a Western movie begins Tuesday, with the selection of a jury who must decide if a 'Rust' crew member's death was his fault.

The Hollywood A-lister was pointing a prop gun at Hutchins during a scene rehearsal when it fired a live round, killing her and wounding the movie's director.

Baldwin, 66, says he did not know the gun was loaded and did not pull the trigger. Prosecutors say he acted recklessly on set and has repeatedly changed his story since the tragic events of October 2021.

Alec Baldwin shocked the world by showing up at the first day of arguments in his involuntary manslaughter trial 

Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was 42 years old when she was shot dead on the set of Rust in Santa Fe, New Mexico 

If found guilty, Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison. It is not yet known if he plans to take the stand in his defense

Multiple attempts by Baldwin's lawyers to have the case thrown out have failed. On Monday, the actor attended a final pre-trial hearing, taking detailed notes on a yellow pad that he stashed in a Barnes & Noble tote bag.

Jury selection begins Tuesday, with opening arguments expected Wednesday and the case in the southwestern state of New Mexico due to last around 10 days.

When proceedings begin, there will be more security there than usual, as a precaution for the high-profile trial.

Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Denise Womack-Avila said there will be 'additional deputies' working around the courthouse and surrounding areas.

While no specific numbers were given as to how much security may be beefed up, Baldwin's presence throughout the 10-day trial will necessitate the added security.

Baldwin has had more than his fair share of contentious encounters with photographers and fans so added security will be essential.

She added that both media personnel and others trying to get into the courthouse are not being allowed to camp outside.

Due to the '30 Rock' actor's immense fame, and the rarity of on-set deaths, the story has garnered global attention while sharply polarizing opinion.

Sympathetic observers view Baldwin as a victim who has been pursued by prosecutors in part due to his status as a celebrity and liberal darling.

Others see the death as the easily avoidable result of a movie star's allegedly unpredictable and complacent behavior.

Baldwin speaks with investigators following the shooting in October 2021

Hutchins's death occurred almost three years ago, during a rehearsal in a small chapel on the Bonanza Creek Ranch, on a sunny afternoon mid-way through filming

'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,' special prosecutor Kari Morrissey has said.

If found guilty, Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison. It is not yet known if he plans to take the stand in his defense.

Hutchins's death occurred almost three years ago, during a rehearsal in a small chapel on the Bonanza Creek Ranch, on a sunny afternoon mid-way through the filming of 'Rust.'

Baldwin was practicing a scene in which his character, an aging outlaw who has been cornered in the church by two marshals, draws his Colt six-shooter.

The actor says he was told the gun was safe, was instructed by Hutchins to aim the revolver in her direction, and did not pull the trigger.

Live bullets are in any case banned from movie sets, and Baldwin has said it was not his responsibility as an actor to check.

Filming of 'Rust' was halted by the tragedy, but completed last year on location in Montana.

Earlier this year the film's armorer was convicted of manslaughter in the same courthouse, and sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Her trial revealed arguments the prosecution will likely level against Baldwin.

At the time, armorer Hannah Gutierrez's defense lawyers said Baldwin 'violated some of the most basic gun safety rules you can ever learn,' including never pointing a gun at a person unless you intend to fire it.

'Alec Baldwin's conduct and his lack of gun safety inside that church on that day is something that he's going to have to answer for,' responded Morrissey.

'Not with you and not today. That'll be with another jury, on another day.'

That day has now arrived.

On Monday, Baldwin -- dressed in a dark suit and striped tie, wearing thick-rimmed glasses and with his hair clipped short -- observed as lawyers settled various pre-trial matters.

In a boost for the defense, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled prosecutors cannot argue Baldwin's additional role as a producer on 'Rust' makes him more culpable.

But the case finally arriving in court is already a victory for prosecutors, who have fended off multiple attempts to have it dismissed.

Among these, Baldwin's lawyers said damage to the gun caused by an FBI testing lab meant the actor could not get a fair trial.

The FBI found the gun could not have fired without its trigger being pulled -- a conclusion the defense say they were robbed of a chance to disprove.

The judge was not convinced, and ordered the trial to proceed.