Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the set of the movie “Rust,” has entered a plea of not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering. The trial is set to begin on December 6th and will address the accidental shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Gutierrez-Reed chose to waive her right to an arraignment and preliminary hearing, which would have determined if there was enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial. Instead, she submitted her not guilty plea on Wednesday.
The prosecution’s case centers around the argument that Gutierrez-Reed acted recklessly when she loaded the gun and handed it to actor Alec Baldwin, who was holding the firearm when it discharged during a rehearsal. They allege that she failed to properly check all of the rounds to ensure they were dummies.
Additionally, Gutierrez-Reed faces a charge of evidence tampering. Prosecutors claim that she transferred narcotics to another person with the intent to prevent her own apprehension, prosecution, or conviction. This charge stems from accusations that Gutierrez-Reed was hungover on the day of the shooting. If convicted on both counts, she could face up to three years in prison.
Related Post
Judge Mary Sommer has scheduled the trial to take place from December 6th to December 15th, with jury selection beginning the day before opening statements. Last week, she denied Gutierrez-Reed’s request to dismiss the case, ruling against claims that the investigation had been tainted and that her due process rights had been violated.
The prosecution has faced challenges throughout the case. In addition to having to downgrade charges against Baldwin, which were eventually dropped altogether, former special prosecutor Andrea Reeb had to step down due to a conflict of interest with her elected position in the New Mexico state legislature.
It is still possible for Baldwin, who was also a producer on “Rust,” to face charges in connection with the incident. Prosecutors are currently investigating whether the Colt .45 revolver he was holding was modified to fire without a pull of the trigger.
The tragic shooting on the set of “Rust” has raised significant concerns about proper gun safety protocols in the film industry. The incident has sparked discussions about the role of armorers, their responsibilities, and the need for stricter regulations to prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future.
The findings and outcomes of this trial could have far-reaching implications for the industry. It may lead to increased scrutiny and oversight of safety practices on film sets, as well as potential changes to existing protocols to minimize the risk of accidents involving firearms.
The incident has also served as a solemn reminder of the importance of maintaining a safe working environment in all industries. The loss of Halyna Hutchins and the injuries sustained by director Joel Souza, who was also struck by the discharged round, highlight the need for constant vigilance and adherence to safety measures to protect workers in all aspects of filmmaking.
As the trial approaches, all eyes will be on the courtroom as it seeks to provide clarity and justice in the wake of this tragic accident. The trial will not only determine the guilt or innocence of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed but also shed light on the broader issues surrounding gun safety in the film industry. The outcome of this case will likely have a lasting impact on the way firearms are handled and monitored on film sets, with the ultimate goal of preventing similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
