Jury selection starts for ‘Rust’ armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed due to on-set shooting
OAN’s James Meyers
3:12 PM – Wednesday, February 21, 2024
The trial for Alec Baldwin’s film Rust has begun, focusing on the tragic shooting incident that claimed the life of the movie’s cinematographer in 2021.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, 27, pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter charges in the death of Halyna Hutchins, who was killed after suffering injuries when she was hit by a live round fired from a gun Baldwin was holding.
Additionally, the director, Joel Souza, was wounded in the incident.
Before Baldwin’s case begins, Gutierrez-Reed’s trial started on Wednesday in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She has pleaded not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence. Baldwin has also pleaded not guilty to an involuntary manslaughter charge in a separate case.
The process of selecting 12 jurors began with a diverse group of 70 residents from the Santa Fe area, including non-English speakers, a welder, a teacher, a graduate student, and a mother of six. The potential jurors were questioned about their exposure to media coverage and social media attention surrounding the case.
Prosecutors are expected to present evidence that Gutierrez-Reed loaded a live round into the firearm that ultimately caused Hutchins’ death. Bringing live ammunition onto a movie set is strictly prohibited. They will also argue that the armorer failed to ensure safety on the set.
However, Gutierrez-Reed’s defense attorneys claim to have evidence that will prove her innocence.
Opening arguments are scheduled for Thursday in a trial that is estimated to last around two weeks.
If convicted of involuntary manslaughter, Gutierrez could face a prison sentence of up to 18 months. As for Baldwin, his criminal charges have faced setbacks.
Initial manslaughter charges were dropped in April last year due to “new facts” that required further investigation. However, a grand jury issued a new indictment late last year. In January, Baldwin pleaded not guilty to the new indictment of involuntary manslaughter charges.
In addition, Baldwin has consistently denied responsibility for the incident, claiming he did not pull the trigger. He has placed blame on his movie set staff for alleged negligence and criticized the film industry professionals for failing to ensure prop safety.
Meanwhile, a trial date for Baldwin has not been set, and the release date for the movie remains unknown. Baldwin is currently out on bail.
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What charges is Hannah Gutierrez-Reed facing in the trial for the shooting incident on the set of “Rust”?
The trial for Alec Baldwin’s film “Rust” has begun, delving into the tragic shooting incident that took the life of the movie’s cinematographer in 2021.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, 27, has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter charges in the death of Halyna Hutchins, who was killed after being hit by a live round fired from a gun Baldwin was holding. The director, Joel Souza, was also wounded in the incident.
Gutierrez-Reed’s trial started on Wednesday in Santa Fe, New Mexico, before Baldwin’s case begins. She has pleaded not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence. Baldwin has also pleaded not guilty to an involuntary manslaughter charge in a separate case.
The process of selecting 12 jurors began with a diverse group of 70 residents from the Santa Fe area, including non-English speakers, a welder, a teacher, a graduate student, and a mother of six. The potential jurors underwent questioning about their exposure to media coverage and social media attention surrounding the case.
Prosecutors are expected to present evidence that Gutierrez-Reed loaded a live round into the firearm that caused Hutchins’ death. Bringing live ammunition onto a movie set is strictly prohibited. They will also argue that the armorer failed to ensure safety on the set.
However, Gutierrez-Reed’s defense attorneys claim to have evidence that will prove her innocence.
Opening arguments are scheduled for Thursday in a trial that is estimated to last around two weeks.
If convicted of involuntary manslaughter, Gutierrez could face a prison sentence of up to 18 months. As for Baldwin, his criminal charges have faced setbacks.
Initial manslaughter charges were dropped in April last year due to “new facts” that required further investigation. However, a grand jury issued a new indictment late last year. In January, Baldwin pleaded not guilty to the new indictment of involuntary manslaughter charges.
In addition, Baldwin has consistently denied responsibility for the incident, claiming he did not pull the trigger. He has placed blame on his movie set staff for alleged negligence and criticized the film industry practices.
This trial will aim to uncover the truth behind the tragic shooting incident on the set of “Rust” and hold individuals accountable for their actions. The court proceedings will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of this case and provide closure to the victims’ families and the film industry as a whole.
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