Rust film armourer sentenced to 18 months in prison

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the Rust film armourer, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison by a judge following the 2021 on-set shooting.

A judge sentenced Hannah Gutierrez-Reed to prison after the 2021 on-set shooting.

In March, the 26-year-old armourer was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the 2021 shooting of Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust. However, she was acquitted of a second charge of tampering with evidence. Gutierrez-Reed received the maximum possible sentence.

Mr. Baldwin, aged 65, is also facing a manslaughter trial scheduled for July. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In delivering the sentence on Monday in a New Mexico court, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer emphasized the gravity of Gutierrez-Reed’s actions, characterizing them as a severe and violent offense executed in a physically aggressive manner.

Addressing the armorer directly, Judge Sommer stated, “You alone transformed a safe weapon into a deadly one. If not for your actions, Ms. Hutchins would still be alive. A husband would have his partner, and a young boy would have his mother.”

Ms. Hutchins, aged 42, tragically lost her life when a firearm used by Mr. Baldwin discharged a live round during a rehearsal on the set of the Western in New Mexico.

Prosecutors alleged that Gutierrez-Reed neglected to ensure that the weapon was loaded only with inert rounds—imitation bullets designed to mimic real ones in appearance and sound.

During the trial’s closing arguments, prosecutor Kari T. Morrissey emphasized the ongoing safety lapses that tragically led to the loss of a life. Morrissey asserted that Gutierrez-Reed’s actions were marked by negligence, carelessness, and a lack of consideration when she failed to detect live ammunition mixed with dummy rounds. It was revealed that one of these live bullets was loaded into the firearm used by Mr. Baldwin. After three hours of deliberation, the jury rendered their verdict in March. The statement from Ms. Hutchins’ family expressed their satisfaction with the verdict and their anticipation for further accountability within the justice system for all parties responsible for Halyna’s untimely passing.

Prior to her sentencing, Gutierrez Reed spoke to the court, expressing sorrow for the Hutchins family and friends.

“While the jury found me guilty, it’s important to recognize that being found guilty does not define me as a monster. It acknowledges my humanity,” she tearfully stated.

However, Judge Sommer expressed her belief that the armorer failed to acknowledge her responsibility for her actions. “I didn’t hear you accept accountability,” the judge remarked.

In a translated video from their hometown of Kyiv, Ukraine, Ms. Hutchins’ mother, Olga Solovey, expressed that nobody connected to her daughter’s passing had offered condolences. “It’s crucial for me to see justice served,” she emphasized.

During the trial, prosecutors provided evidence indicating that Gutierrez-Reed transported a box of live bullets from her California residence to the New Mexico film set. They contended that these live rounds gradually dispersed across the set during a period of 12 days.

Ms. Morrissey expressed her belief that the armorer did not have the intention to bring live ammunition to the set. Instead, she characterized Ms. Hutchins’ death as a tragic outcome of negligence.

The prosecutor emphasized that Gutierrez-Reed appeared more concerned about her career than the victims following the shooting incident. Gutierrez-Reed opted not to testify during the two-week trial. However, her attorney argued in the closing statements that the prosecution had not sufficiently demonstrated her sole responsibility for the fatal shooting.

“The [ammunition] boxes’ contents are irrelevant, as their contents could have changed in the days prior,” stated her attorney, Jason Bowles, asserting that his client was unaware of the presence of live ammunition on set.

Bowles also pointed fingers at Alec Baldwin, contending that he deviated from the script by aiming the gun at the film crew. “It was not scripted for Mr. Baldwin to handle the weapon in that manner,” he remarked. “She was unaware of Mr. Baldwin’s actions.”

Bowles pledged to appeal the guilty verdict.

Gutierrez-Reed was acquitted of evidence tampering charges related to allegations that she tried to discard a small bag of drugs following the shooting incident.

In honor of Ms. Hutchins, the cast and crew completed filming the movie last year, with her husband acting as an executive producer.

This news has sparked a lot of discussions about the safety measures in the film industry. It’s a reminder of how crucial it is to prioritize safety on set, especially when handling weapons and special effects. This incident serves as a wake-up call for everyone involved in film production, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to safety protocols.

As viewers, we love to be entertained by action-packed scenes, but it’s important to remember that behind the camera, there are real risks and responsibilities. Let’s hope that this serves as a turning point for the industry to reevaluate and reinforce safety standards to prevent such incidents in the future. Stay safe and stay tuned for more updates on this topic. #SafetyFirst #FilmIndustry #Hollywood

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