Weekend Law: Trump Verdict, Union Fight & Alec Baldwin
Jan 27, 2024
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Legal experts discuss the verdict in a defamation lawsuit against Trump, the Supreme Court case over Starbucks firing union workers, and the involuntary manslaughter charges against Alec Baldwin.
Alec Baldwin is facing charges of involuntary manslaughter for the accidental shooting on set, highlighting the importance of proper firearm handling and safety measures during filming.
The distinction of whether Alec Baldwin pulled the trigger or not will determine his level of culpability, emphasizing the significance of his duty to ensure firearm safety and prevent criminal negligence.
Deep dives
Alec Baldwin Indicted for Involuntary Manslaughter
Actor Alec Baldwin is facing charges of felony involuntary manslaughter after a grand jury indicted him. The charges stem from the accidental shooting on the set of the movie Rust, where cinematographer Helena Hutchins was killed. Baldwin maintains that he never pulled the trigger, but recent forensic analysis determined that the gun could not have fired without the trigger being pulled. The charges against Baldwin focus on two theories of involuntary manslaughter: negligent use of a firearm and lack of due caution. The trial will likely delve into Baldwin's role as both an actor and a co-producer on the set, as well as the overall safety measures taken during filming.
Prosecutors Reboot Baldwin Case Due to Compelling Evidence
Prosecutors decided to bring charges against Alec Baldwin after dropping the case last year. The decision came in light of new forensic analysis that concluded that the trigger had to be pulled for the gun to fire. Prosecutors will aim to prove that Baldwin negligently handled the firearm and failed to exercise proper gun safety. They will also argue that Baldwin did not exercise enough caution while engaged in the lawful activity of handling the gun on set. The case presents a nuanced argument regarding Baldwin's actions and responsibilities as both an actor and a co-producer. The presence of live rounds of ammunition on the set remains a critical piece of evidence, the source of which is yet to be determined.
Baldwin's Trial and the Celebrity Factor
Alec Baldwin's trial is anticipated to garner significant public attention due to his celebrity status. Juries often have a heightened interest in cases involving celebrities. The star power and public perception of a celebrity can influence jurors' opinions. While the defendant is not obligated to testify, Baldwin may choose to do so in order to present his version of events and dispute the claims made against him. The likelihood of Baldwin testifying is seen as higher compared to typical criminal trials, as he has already made public statements regarding the incident. Factors such as articulation and the absence of damaging evidence that could be used against him weigh in favor of Baldwin taking the stand.
Relevance of Baldwin's Pulling the Trigger
The question of whether Alec Baldwin actually pulled the trigger is crucial in determining his level of culpability. Baldwin maintains that he only pulled back the hammer of the gun and did not pull the trigger. If it is established that he did not physically pull the trigger, it supports his argument that he exercised proper gun safety by not directly engaging the trigger. However, if evidence shows that the gun went off because the trigger was indeed pulled, prosecutors could argue that Baldwin failed in his duty to ensure the firearm was unloaded and safe. The distinction is significant in determining whether Baldwin's actions rise to the level of criminal negligence or a lack of due caution.
June Grasso talks to the experts about the top legal stories of the week. Bloomberg legal reporter Patricia Hurtado discusses a jury ordering Donald Trump to pay $83.3 million to columnist E. Jean Carroll for defaming her. Labor law expert Kate Andrias, a professor at Columbia Law School, discusses the Supreme Court agreeing to hear a case over Starbucks firing union workers. Joshua Kastenberg, a professor at the University of New Mexico Law School, discusses the new involuntary manslaughter charges against actor Alec Baldwin. June Grasso hosts.
