Alec Baldwin's 'Rust' trial judge reprimands attendees for not cleaning up after themselves in the courtroom

New Mexico judge Mary Marlow Sommer, the judge on Alec Baldwin's involuntary manslaughter trial, scolded members of the media and attendees for leaving a mess on the 1st Judicial District Court of New Mexico in Santa Fe.

Before the proceedings on the Rust trial commenced, scheduled on Thursday, July 11, 2024, Judge Sommer asked everyone in the court to clean up after themselves, saying:

"One more cup and everybody is not allowed to bring any liquids of any kind whatsoever."

Alec Baldwin's trial judge also reminded attendees that her staff would not be cleaning up after them, further noting:

"My staff and our county people are not going to be picking up trash that you all could pick up. Okay? And that also means downstairs in the jury assembly room."

Judge Sommer in Alec Baldwin's trial (Image via Getty Images/Ross D. Franklin - Pool)

The judge concluded her statement by reminding attendees to "just have some manners" in picking up after themselves while in the courtroom.

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Alec Baldwin's Rust "shooting" trial continues

The actor's involuntary manslaughter trial for fatally shooting Halyna Hutchins on the Rust set opened on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, with closing arguments scheduled for next Friday, July 19, 2024.

In the opening statements, prosecutor Erlinda Johnson painted Alec Baldwin's disregard for gun safety in front of the jury, saying that he "played make-believe with a real gun."

The actor's lawyer, Alex Spiro, countered that Baldwin was "an actor handling a prop," and that it was the safety apparatus that failed. He also noted that there were designated roles on the set, including when it came to handling firearms and safety.

On Thursday, Baldwin's defense team continued cross-examining Santa Fe crime scene technician Marissa Poppell about the evidence she collected on set in 2021 following the incident that saw Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins' death.

Spiro questioned the technician about how thorough their probe was into the origins of the live bullet that killed Hutchins, including the extent of the search of the PDQ Arm & Prop warehouse in Albuquerque. Poppell responded that the team "reasonably searched" the premises.

At one point, Spiro accused the technician of burying evidence following his question about the team failing to collect surveillance footage, which was listed on the search warrant.

Alec Baldwin had pleaded not guilty and maintained his previous statement that he never pulled the trigger when the gun went off. That said, the FBI's forensic report noted that the firearm couldn't have been fired without pulling the trigger.

The actor will face up to 18 months in prison if found guilty. His family members, including his wife Hilaria Baldwin, sister Beth Keuchler, and brother Stephen Baldwin, have been to court in support of the actor. On Thursday, Hilaria was dressed in a dark suit was seen approaching her husband during the break in the proceedings.