The trial for Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed in relation to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchin in the set of the "Rust" movie.
Prosecutors argued that Gutierrez-Reed was "sloppy," adding that her "negligent acts" led to an unfortunate fatality. On the other hand, the defendant's lawyers laid the blame at the feet of the other suspect, Baldwin, who they said violated basic safety.
Rust Killing Trial
The 65-year-old Hollywood actor is facing charges in relation to Hutchins' death on Oct. 21, 2021. The film's armorer pleaded not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence over the cinematographer's death during the production of the movie in New Mexico.
On Thursday, during opening statements for the trial that was held in Santa Fe, prosecutors argued that Gutierrez-Reed's "unprofessional" on-set conduct was a factor that resulted in the avoidable tragedy. It was where live ammunition found its way into a weapon that was supposed to contain a blank, as per BBC.
In a statement, special prosecutor Jason Lewis said that the people who attended the trial would hear testimony that accused Gutierrez-Reed of routinely leaving guns and ammunition lying around the set unattended. Furthermore, her gun safe and ammo cart were supposedly constantly disorganized.
The jury in the case was shown emotional and distressing footage of the aftermath of the fatal shooting of Hutchins. It was when a Colt .45 revolver that Baldwin was holding went off. This included video footage that appeared to show Hutchins' final moments at the time of the incident.
In one of the videos, paramedics could be seen frantically trying to save Hutchins' life, pleading with her to keep breathing. Prosecutors showed jurors boxes of ammunition that were on set the day of the shooting. They said that they contained live rounds interspersed with dummy ones.
Negligent Acts on Set
Gutierrez-Reed has been a focus of scrutiny as investigators have been trying to determine just how live ammunition turned up on a film where it was supposed to be banned. Her attorney, Jason Bowles, argued that the first event that led to Hutchins' death was Baldwin pointing a gun on set. He added that his client was being used as a "scapegoat" to avoid responsibility, according to the New York Times.
Baldwin has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, arguing that he was told where to point the gun that he held. He also said that he had no reason to believe that it was actually loaded with live ammunition.
Bowles said that the recent developments have all pointed to his client being blamed for everything that happened in the tragedy. He said that this was because she was an easy target because she was the "least powerful" person on the set of the film.
If Gutierrez-Reed is convicted of the charges filed against her in the death of Hutchins, she could face up to 18 months in prison as well as a $5,000 fine for each count. The latest trial is expected to last roughly two weeks, said CNN.
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