‘Rust’ Armorer Convicted Of Involuntary Manslaughter In Fatal Shooting Of Cinematographer

“Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed on Wednesday was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the New Mexico film set.

After just three hours of deliberation, the 12-member jury came back with a guilty verdict after finding the movie weapons supervisor responsible, in part, for Hutchins’s death, The Associated Press reported. The jury found she was not guilty of tampering with evidence, which was the second charge Gutierrez-Reed faced.

After the verdict was read, defense attorney Jason Bowles said they would appeal the decision, People magazine reported.

A jury convicted a movie weapons supervisor of involuntary manslaughter on Wednesday in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer by actor Alec Baldwin during a rehearsal on the set of the Western movie “Rust.” pic.twitter.com/ohDdtswnBC

— The Associated Press (@AP) March 7, 2024

Following the verdict, the judge ordered that Gutierrez-Reed be remanded into custody. She faces up to 18 months in prison following the conviction. A date for sentencing has yet to be set.

Prosecutor Kari Morrissey said in closing arguments that “the astonishing lack of diligence with regard to gun safety is without question a significant cause of the death of Halyna Hutchins,” ABC News reported.

“This is not a case where Hannah Gutierrez made one mistake, and that one mistake was accidental — putting a live round into that gun,” Morrissey added. “This case is about constant, neverending, safety failures that resulted in the death of a human being and nearly killed another.”

During his closing arguments, Bowles labeled Gutierrez-Reed a “convenient fall person” and accused detectives of failing to conduct a thorough investigation, People magazine noted.

Both Gutierrez-Reed and actor Alec Baldwin were charged in the fatal shooting that left Hutchins dead and injured director Joel Souza.

In January, a grand jury indicted Baldwin for involuntary manslaughter following the fatal shooting, as previously reported. The firearm Baldwin was holding discharged the bullet that killed Hutchins. 

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According to Variety, special prosecutors Morrissey and Jason Lewis presented a report to the grand jury showing that the shooting occurred by a “pull or rearward depression of the trigger.” Baldwin has repeatedly claimed there was “no trigger pull.”

On January 31, Baldwin entered a “not guilty” plea through his attorney and waived his right to an arraignment. His trial date is set for July. If convicted, he could spend up to 18 months in prison.

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