The former armorer for the movie “Rust” is facing a new charge of evidence tampering, in addition to the involuntary manslaughter charge she already faces for the fatal shooting of the movie’s cinematographer. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is accused of transferring narcotics to another person with the intent to prevent her own apprehension, prosecution, or conviction. The details of this alleged offense have not been disclosed.
The charge of evidence tampering comes after the lead investigator on the case was abruptly removed, leading to accusations that the prosecution is hiding evidence. Investigator Robert Schilling, in an email to Santa Fe County District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, expressed frustration with the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office and stated that he was directed to conduct no further investigation into the case. He described their conduct as “reprehensible and unprofessional.”
Schilling, who wrote the statement of probable cause supporting the charges against Gutierrez-Reed, revealed his concerns in the email that was inadvertently copied to Gutierrez-Reed’s lawyer, Jason Bowles. Bowles argues that the new charge against his client is retaliatory and questions why the charge was filed without prior notice or witness statements to support it.
The case has faced numerous setbacks and complications. Prosecutors dropped the involuntary manslaughter charges against actor Alec Baldwin, who was also involved in the shooting, after disclosing that the gun may have been modified to fire without a pull of the trigger. However, the charges may be refiled. Andrea Reeb, the special prosecutor originally appointed to oversee the case, had to step down due to a conflict of interest. The lead investigator alleging evidence suppression raises further concerns about the investigation.
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In the court filing, Gutierrez-Reed’s lawyer moved for a judge to allow him to interview Schilling, who is listed as a witness for a preliminary hearing in August. He accuses the special prosecutors of trying to suppress evidence and argues that the fact that the lead investigator shares his client’s views on the investigation is highly exculpatory.
The special prosecutors and the sheriff’s office have not responded to requests for comment on these allegations and concerns.
Gutierrez-Reed previously moved to dismiss the involuntary manslaughter charges against her, claiming that the investigation was tainted, and that the prosecutors lacked authority and violated her due process rights. She also pointed to alleged lapses in the investigation, such as the sheriff’s office’s decision not to seek DNA testing of the live rounds found on set, and the prop master’s admission that she disposed of the rounds in actor Jensen Ackles’ gun to hide evidence. Additionally, Gutierrez-Reed criticized the FBI’s destruction of the sear, a part of the gun’s trigger mechanism, despite being warned that it may permanently damage the firearm.
These developments further complicate an already complex and controversial case. As the legal proceedings continue, more information may emerge regarding the alleged evidence tampering and the potential impact on the charges against Gutierrez-Reed.
