Actor Alec Baldwin won a significant victory in his manslaughter trial as a judge ruled that jurors will not hear evidence of his role as a producer on the film “Rust.” Accused of negligently shooting cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in October 2021, Baldwin appeared at a pre-trial hearing where the judge's decision means the focus will be on his conduct as an actor. The ruling makes it more challenging for prosecutors to blame him for systemic failures on set. Unlike the defense's argument that Baldwin's status as a producer would confuse the case, the judge agreed to exclude such evidence. Video of Baldwin yelling at the crew will also be omitted, as it does not shed light on his alleged negligence. The trial will center on whether Baldwin recklessly pointed the gun at Hutchins and pulled the trigger without checking for live ammunition. The defense maintains that he was a creative producer without oversight of safety issues on set. With the judge aiming for an eight-day trial, Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison if convicted.