Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty of causing the death of a cinematographer through negligence in handling a prop firearm. She was acquitted of a separate charge of tampering with evidence.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was found not guilty of a second charge – tampering with evidence.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed has been acquitted of a second charge – tampering with evidence related to the 2021 shooting incident involving Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust. The 26-year-old could face a maximum of 18 months in jail, with her sentencing scheduled for a later date.
A manslaughter trial awaits Mr. Baldwin, aged 65, scheduled for July. The tragic incident occurred when a gun he handled during a rehearsal discharged a live round on the New Mexico set of the Western film.
According to Misty Marris, responsibility for the “safety, maintenance, and care of the firearm and the ammunition” lay with the armorer. Consequently, Mr. Baldwin could not have anticipated the presence of a live round on set.
Jurors took three hours to deliberate before delivering Wednesday’s verdict.
Gutierrez-Reed maintained a neutral expression upon learning her fate.
While being escorted away by two officers, she reassured her weeping mother, saying, “It will be alright,” as reported by Reuters.
Ms. Hutchins’ parents and her sister expressed contentment with the verdict.
Their statement included, “We anticipate that the justice system will continue to ensure that all others accountable for Halyna’s death face legal consequences for their actions.”
Misty Marris, speaking to CNN, explained, “This signifies that someone has been held legally responsible for the death of Halyna Hutchins.”
Mr. Baldwin’s defense is expected to argue that “the presence of a real bullet in the gun was not foreseeable.”
Prosecutors asserted that Gutierrez-Reed failed to ensure the weapon was loaded only with dummy rounds, imitation bullets intended to mimic real ones.
Prosecutor Kari T. Morrissey emphasized during closing arguments on Wednesday, “This case revolves around ongoing safety lapses that led to the loss of a life.”
Morrissey characterized Gutierrez-Reed as “negligent,” “careless,” and “inattentive” for not recognizing the presence of live bullets mixed with dummy rounds in an ammunition box on set.
Prosecutors contended that one of these live bullets was loaded into the firearm used by Mr. Baldwin.
During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence indicating that Gutierrez-Reed transported a box of live bullets from her California residence to the New Mexico film set. They asserted that these live rounds gradually circulated throughout the set during a period of 12 days.
Ms. Morrissey expressed her belief that the armorer did not intend to bring live rounds to the set, characterizing Ms. Hutchins’ death as a tragic result of negligence.
The prosecutor further alleged that Gutierrez-Reed showed more concern for her career than for the victims in the aftermath of the shooting.
Gutierrez-Reed chose not to testify during the two-week trial. However, her attorney argued in closing statements that the prosecution had not proven his client was solely responsible for the fatal shooting.
Dismissing the significance of the ammunition boxes, her lawyer, Jason Bowles, told the jury, “The boxes don’t matter because we don’t know what was in them three or four days prior.” He contended that Gutierrez-Reed was unaware of the presence of real bullets on set.
Bowles also pointed blame at Mr. Baldwin, asserting that he had acted outside the script when he pointed the gun at the film crew. “It was not in the script for Mr. Baldwin to point the weapon,” he emphasized. “She didn’t know that Mr. Baldwin was going to do what he did.” He pledged to file an appeal.
Trial witnesses, including the film’s director Joel Souza, who survived being shot, testified. Souza recalled looking up at Gutierrez-Reed after being shot and hearing her apologize repeatedly.
The jury was shown emotionally distressing footage of the aftermath of the shooting, capturing the moment when the Colt .45 revolver held by Mr. Baldwin discharged. Among the footage was a video depicting Ms. Hutchins’ final moments, with paramedics striving to save her life.
Gutierrez-Reed was also acquitted of evidence tampering charges related to allegations that she attempted to dispose of a small bag of narcotics after the shooting.
Last year, the cast and crew of the movie completed filming as a tribute to Ms. Hutchins, with her husband serving as an executive producer.
The tragic incident on the set of the movie ‘Rust’ has shaken the film industry and ignited conversations about safety and responsibility. It’s a stark reminder that the consequences of negligence can be devastating. As we come to terms with this loss, it’s important to reflect on how such tragedies can be prevented in the future. From stringent safety protocols to the importance of proper training and accountability, there are lessons to be learned.
It’s not just about pointing fingers but about making real changes to ensure that everyone working on a set is protected. This devastating loss serves as a wake-up call for the entire industry, and honoring the memory of the talented cinematographer requires a commitment to improving safety standards. Let’s ensure that this tragedy sparks a meaningful change and helps protect the passionate individuals who bring stories to life on screen.
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