Hannah Gutierrez-Reed Found Guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter in “Rust” Film Set Shooting – Sky Bulletin
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In a recent trial, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer of the “Rust” film, has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter by a jury in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The charge is linked to the tragic on-set death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was fatally shot by actor Alec Baldwin during a rehearsal in October 2021.
The conviction places responsibility on Gutierrez-Reed, following the plea of the assistant director to a count of negligent handling of a firearm last year. However, the armorer was acquitted of a second count of evidence tampering, which accused her of attempting to conceal a bag of apparent narcotics post-incident.
Following the announcement of the verdict, 26-year-old Gutierrez-Reed was taken into custody, with her attorney confirming an intent to appeal against the conviction that could result in up to 18 months of imprisonment and a $5,000 fine.
Although the sentencing has not yet been scheduled by state district court Judge Mary Marlowe Somer, the verdict precedes Alec Baldwin’s own trial for involuntary manslaughter, set for July, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
The trial scrutinized the safety protocols on the “Rust” set, with the prosecution highlighting repeated failures in handling live ammunition, which they claim was present and unaddressed for over twelve days prior to the shooting. The defense argued that issues on the set surpassed Gutierrez-Reed’s responsibilities, pointing to the broader set conditions and other individuals, including Baldwin.
Detailed in the testimony was information from jurors and experts, with the consensus being that negligence in following gun safety measures led to the unfortunate event. The defense, on the other hand, portrayed Gutierrez-Reed as a scapegoat for broader set failures.
The case brought forward testimonies from dozens of witnesses, including FBI professionals and set crew members, painting a detailed picture of the incident and the circumstances that led up to it.
FAQ Section
- What was Hannah Gutierrez-Reed’s role on the “Rust” film set?
Gutierrez-Reed served as the armorer, responsible for managing weapons used during filming.
- What are the charges Alec Baldwin is facing in his upcoming trial?
Alec Baldwin is indicted on a charge of involuntary manslaughter.
- Has Alec Baldwin reacted to the conviction of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed?
As of this writing, there has been no immediate comment from Baldwin’s representatives regarding the verdict.
- What were the main arguments of the prosecution against Hannah Gutierrez-Reed?
The prosecution contended Gutierrez-Reed’s lack of diligence in maintaining gun safety, which led to live ammunition being present on the set.
- What defense did Hannah Gutierrez-Reed’s lawyers present?
Her attorneys argued that Gutierrez-Reed could not have anticipated Baldwin’s actions that deviated from the script and emphasized the chaotic and insufficiently managed set conditions.
Conclusion
The conviction of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed adds a new layer of responsibility to the tragic events that unfolded on the set of “Rust.” With the outcome of the trial, attention now turns to actor and co-producer Alec Baldwin’s upcoming legal proceedings. As the industry reflects on this case, it underscores the critical importance of safety protocols in film production and the heavy consequences when they are not stringently followed.
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