In a high-profile trial that has captivated both the public and the film industry, actor Alec Baldwin appeared before a New Mexico judge on Monday for the start of his involuntary manslaughter trial. The trial stems from a tragic incident on the set of a Western movie, where a cinematographer lost her life and director Joel Souza was injured.

Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer presided over a pretrial hearing in Santa Fe, where prosecutors and defense attorneys presented their requests regarding the evidence, testimony, and arguments to be presented in court. The hearing, expected to last throughout the day, will play a crucial role in shaping the trial proceedings.

Accompanied by a four-person legal team, Baldwin sat in the courtroom, perusing through papers with a focused demeanor. As lead attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro flanked him, a yellow legal pad sat on the table in front of him, ready for note-taking.

The trial is scheduled to begin on July 9, with jury selection set to commence. It is projected to span ten days as both sides present their cases and call witnesses.

Prior to the trial, Baldwin's defense team sought to exclude Baldwin's role as a co-producer on the film, "Rust," claiming it is irrelevant to the allegations of negligence. However, prosecutors assert that Baldwin's position as a producer may have contributed to his alleged reckless behavior, disregarding safety protocols. The responsibilities and authority Baldwin possessed as a producer over crew members handling weapons and safety measures are in question.

Further contentious issues include the admissibility of a state workplace safety investigation, which prosecutors argue was incomplete and untrustworthy. Prosecutors also oppose the defense team's attempts to bar discussions about the tragic death of actor Brandon Lee on the set of "The Crow" in 1993. They argue that Baldwin had knowledge of the risks associated with firearms, even without live ammunition present, while the defense claims it was inconceivable for live rounds to be on set.

One crucial ruling made last week allowed firearms experts for the prosecution to testify about Baldwin's handling of the revolver and its functioning prior to the shooting. The defense team also wants to exclude a letter signed by crew members that disputes claims of a chaotic or dangerous set environment.

A single felony count of involuntary manslaughter, which carries a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison, has been charged against Baldwin. The armorer on set, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was previously convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and is currently appealing her sentence.

The fatal shooting incident occurred in October 2021 when Baldwin was rehearsing a cross-draw maneuver with the revolver. Baldwin maintains that the gun discharged accidentally after following instructions to point it towards Hutchins, believing it contained no live rounds.

As the trial gets underway, the film industry and the public eagerly await the proceedings that will determine Baldwin's legal fate and cast new light on the safety measures implemented on film sets.

Please note that this news article is an interpretation of the provided text and may not reflect the entirety of the trial proceedings or subsequent developments.