'Rust' armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter by a New Mexico jury. They also found her not guilty of tampering with evidence after deliberating for approximately two and a half hours.
The 26-year-old is looking at a potential three-year sentence in state prison and will receive their sentence at a later date. A judge has ordered Gutierrez-Reed to be taken into custody and held until her sentencing.
'Rust' Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed Guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter
Gutierrez-Reed displayed minimal emotion as the jury foreperson announced the verdicts. She removed a necklace before being taken into custody by a deputy. With her mother seated behind her, she watched as the judge ordered her to be remanded into custody pending sentencing, causing her mother to react by putting her hands on her head and bending forward.
The extensive trial, lasting almost two weeks, focused on the 2021 shooting incident that took place on the "Rust" film set. During the tragic event, actor Alec Baldwin was holding a prop gun that discharged a live round, resulting in the death of the film's cinematographer, Haylna Hutchins. Director Joel Souza was also injured by the bullet.
During the prosecution's closing arguments on Wednesday, Kari T. Morrissey emphasized that Gutierrez-Reed exhibited negligence, carelessness, and thoughtlessness. Morrissey also mentioned that after the tragic shooting, the 27-year-old armorer was primarily concerned about her professional future rather than the victims.
However, Gutierrez-Reed's lawyer, Jason Bowles, argued that the prosecutors failed to establish beyond a reasonable doubt Gutierrez-Reed's involvement in bringing live rounds to the set. Bowles also claimed that Baldwin bore ultimate responsibility for Hutchins's death, as per NBC News.
The prosecution also singled out Baldwin, labeling him as a "prima donna." "Alec Baldwin's conduct and his lack of gun safety in the church that day is something he's going to have to answer for ... Not with you not today, that's for another jury for another day."
The trial of the armorer started on Feb. 21 and included testimonies from weapons experts, FBI and Santa Fe County officials, and crew members who were present during the tragic shooting.
Prosecution Highlights Hannah Gutierrez-Reed's Shortcoming
The prosecution emphasized Gutierrez-Reed's actions as an armorer, alleging that she did not fulfill her duties properly. Gutierrez-Reed's legal team argued to the jury that the prosecution had not presented sufficient evidence to convict the armorer of involuntary manslaughter.
According to Fox News, Bowles stated that there were factors beyond Gutierrez-Reed's influence that took place on set, resulting in the tragic shooting.
Hutchins passed away after being shot by a gun that Baldwin was holding during the filming of a scene in a small church at Bonanza Creek Ranch in 2021. Testimony was provided by Joel Souza, who was shot in the shoulder during the intense moment. Hutchins and Souza were setting up the camera for the close-up shot when the gun the actor was holding went off, resulting in the death of the cinematographer.
