Person in Jury Pool for Alec Baldwin's “Rust” Trial Admits They'd Be 'Very Biased' Against Actor If Selected

On Tuesday, July 9, 11 women and 5 men were selected and sworn in as jurors out of group of 70 prospective jurors

The jury for Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial was selected on Tuesday, July 9.

In October 2021, Baldwin, 66, held a prop gun on the set of the Western movie Rust when it discharged, injuring director Joel Souza and killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

If found guilty, Baldwin could face 18 months in prison.

Sixteen jurors — 11 women and 5 men — were selected and sworn in out of a group of 70, per the Associated Press. Of those selected, only 12 will decide the case, while the remaining four will serve as alternates.

During the process, the pool of prospective jurors were asked, “Have you seen any press coverage that makes you feel biased one way or another?”

Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer also asked the possible jurors if they were familiar with the case. Everyone except for two people raised their hands to signify they were. Two others were excused after they said they would not be able to be fair and impartial.

“I have read about the case and would be very biased against Mr. Baldwin," one person in the jury pool said.

Related: Judge in Alec Baldwin’s Rust Case Upholds His Involuntary Manslaughter Charge for a Third Time

During the rounds of questioning from the prosecution and defense — which lasted approximately 50 minutes for both parties — Baldwin was seen looking at them as he took notes on a yellow legal pad.

Baldwin's attorney, Alex Spiro, asked prospective jurors about gun safety and if they would rely on experts to ensure safety and not themselves alone. "Let's say you took your car to a mechanic. And you don't know anything about cars. And the mechanic told you it's safe. You'd believe him, wouldn't you?" he asked one person.

"Everyone knows you should check a gun before you fire it, whether it's real or a toy," one prospective male juror responded.

When a prospective female juror was asked if there was any reason she couldn't serve, she told prosecutors she used marijuana daily for pain. The judge asked if she could still sit on the case. "If I can take my marijuana," she replied. "I didn't take it this morning because I knew I was driving."

On Monday, July 8, Baldwin attended pretrial hearings in the First Judicial District Court in Santa Fe, N.M. The prosecution and defense made arguments on various motions to preclude certain evidence and testimony from being admitted at trial.

Baldwin is represented by Spiro, Heather LeBlanc, Stephanie Kelemen and Luke Nikas. The prosecution is comprised of attorneys Erlinda Ocampo and Kari Morrissey.

Related: Alec Baldwin Wants to Be 'Brave' and Attend Trial 'Alone,' But Family Will Be There 'to Support Him' (Source)

Since the fatal shooting occurred, Baldwin has insisted he did not pull the trigger or know that the gun mistakenly contained live ammunition. In January, the actor submitted a not guilty plea shortly after a grand jury indicted him on the involuntary manslaughter charge.

Two months later, Rust’s armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was in charge of the weapons on set, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for her role in Hutchins’ death. Gutierrez-Reed is now serving an 18-month sentence in prison, which was handed down by Sommer.

Related: How Alec Baldwin’s Life Has Changed Since Starring in Beetlejuice, as He Prepares for Manslaughter Trial

Gutierrez-Reed’s guilty verdict has Baldwin "understandably worried,” a source told PEOPLE in May. "He has an excellent legal team. I don't think anyone is thinking jail time, but given the decision for Ms. Gutierrez-Reed, it’s hard to know."

Baldwin intended to remain in New Mexico alone, but his wife Hilaria Baldwin, two of their seven children, and his younger brother, actor Stephen Baldwin, were seen arriving to court on Tuesday.

"Alec wants to put on a brave face and go to the trial alone, but his family will be present to support him," a source told PEOPLE.

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Opening statements and testimony will begin Wednesday, July 10, at 8:30 a.m. MDT.

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