Luke Nikas

Alec Baldwin (C) leaves the courthouse with one of his lawyers Luke Nikas (L) after the first day in his trial for involuntary manslaughter in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on July 9, 2024

Alec Baldwin's long-awaited trial for involuntary manslaughter over a fatal shooting on the set of Western movie "Rust" will hear opening statements at a New Mexico courthouse on Wednesday.

Prosecutors in New Mexico plan to drop an involuntary manslaughter charge against Alec Baldwin in the fatal 2021 shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the Western film " Rust," Baldwin's attorneys said on April 20.

Alec Baldwin is to be charged with involuntary manslaughter over the accidental shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the low-budget western "Rust," a prosecutor said on Jan. 19.

Baldwin was holding the Colt .45 during rehearsals for the film when it discharged, killing Halyna Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza in October 2021.