SANTA FE, N.M. (Court TV) — Alec Baldwin is facing a critical stage in his manslaughter trial amid an intense dispute stemming from an accidental shooting on the set of the movie “Rust.”

Court TV cameras will be in the courtroom to broadcast the trial’s gavel blow. Opening statements are expected as early as Wednesday.

Actor Alec Baldwin walks into his courtroom in U.S. District Court in Santa Fe, N.M., for a preliminary hearing in the “Rust” trial on Monday, July 8, 2024. Baldwin faces one count of involuntary manslaughter in the death of a cameraman on the set of the film “Rust.” (Luis Sánchez Saturno/Santa Fe New Mexican via AP)

The incident occurred on October 21, 2021, during a rehearsal on the outskirts of Santa Fe, when a .45-caliber revolver Baldwin was holding discharged a live round, fatally striking the film’s cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounding director/writer Joel Souza. The aftermath has since been marked by legal battles, wrongful death lawsuits, and an earlier trial that ended with the film’s gunsmith, Hannah Gutierrez, serving an 18-month prison sentence after being convicted of involuntary manslaughter but acquitted of charges she tampered with evidence.

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At the heart of the upcoming trial are allegations that Baldwin, as both a lead actor and a producer, failed to adhere to industry safety standards, according to court documents. Prosecutors allege that Baldwin ignored established protocols, including inadequate firearms training, and allowed unsafe conditions on set, ultimately leading to the tragic outcome. They allege that Baldwin was negligent in his handling of the firearm, which contradicts his claim that the weapon discharged without him pulling the trigger.

In response, Baldwin’s defense argues that safety on the set was the responsibility of professionals like Gutierrez and assistant director David Halls, who were tasked with ensuring that the firearms were safe and properly managed. In a counter-complaint filed by Baldwin’s defense, they argue that neither Baldwin nor anyone else present knew that live ammunition was loaded into the weapon, as they believed it was safe to use.

The trial has far-reaching implications for Baldwin, who could face up to 18 months in prison if convicted of involuntary manslaughter. As the trial begins, all eyes will be on Baldwin and the courtroom drama that will unfold, seeking answers and accountability for the tragic events that have deeply impacted everyone involved in the production of “Rust.”