SANTE FE, N. M. — Alec Baldwin “played make believe with a real gun” on the set of “Rust” — and cinematographer Halyna Hutchins died as a result, prosecutors argued at the start of the actor’s trial Wednesday.
Baldwin, 66, arrived at the court in Santa Fe around 8 a.m., roughly an hour before opening statements began in the manslaughter trial against him, wearing a dark suit, light purple button down shirt, maroon tie and glasses. He did not answer questions from a gaggle of reporters.
“The evidence will show that someone who played make believe with a real gun and violated the cardinal rules of firearm safety is the defendant Alec Baldwin,” prosecutor Erlinda Ocampo told jurors.
The “30 Rock” star is charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter after he fired off a live round while rehearsing on the set of the Western at the Bonanza Creek Ranch killing, Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza on Oct. 21, 2021.
He faces up to 18 months in jail in convicted.
Hutchins’ family’s lawyer Gloria Allred was present for trial Wednesday and said she planned to attend most of the trial on behalf of Hutchins’ mom, dad and sister who cannot attend as they live in war-torn Kiev, Ukraine.
The family has a lawsuit pending against Baldwin and the production company over the 42-year-old mother’s death.
“They wish they could be here, but they can’t,” Allred said, holding up a photo of Hutchins with her mom and son. “They want to find the truth about what really happened. Alec Baldwin said he didn’t pull the trigger. I guess we will find out.”
Allred also blasted Baldwin for potentially using the trial as content the TLC reality series he and wife Hilaria will be featured in with their seven children.
“The Baldwins” is set to come out next year, and The Post previously reported that producers are preparing for the possibility that Baldwin will go to jail.
Hilaria was back in court again Wednesday but she was not accompanied by any of her kids. Baldwin’s brother, Stephen Baldwin, was also present in court Wednesday.
“If he uses this trial and his children as part of a reality show, I think it’s sick,” Allred said, noting that Alec and Hilaria were photographed holding their baby outside of court Tuesday.
“This is not a reality show. This is a trial for involuntary manslaughter of a young, talented cinematographer. She had a right to be safe in that set,” Allred said.
A jury of 12, with four alternates, was chosen Tuesday during the first day of trial.
Baldwin pleaded not guilty and has maintained that while he cocked the hammer on the .45-caliber revolver he never pulled the trigger. His lawyers have also argued that it was “incomprehensible” that live bullets were on set and loaded in the gun.
“Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was convicted of one count of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to the maximum time she faced of 18 months behind bars after a separate trial earlier this year. She is appealing that conviction.
Assistant director David Halls admitted that he failed to check the gun for live bullets before handing it over to Baldwin and he was sentenced to six months probation for the crime.