Prosecutors hold Gutierrez-Reed responsible for unintentionally bringing live ammunition onto the set of “Rust,” despite it being explicitly prohibited, and for neglecting to adhere to fundamental gun safety procedures.
A movie weapons armorer has been sentenced to the maximum term of 18 months in jail for involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer by Alec Baldwin on the set of the movie “Rust”. Authorities are now shifting their focus to the prosecution of Baldwin himself.
A New Mexico judge ruled on Monday that Hannah Gutierrez-Reed’s recklessness constituted a serious violent offense, noting the defendant’s lack of genuine remorse since her conviction in March. Prosecutors hold Gutierrez-Reed responsible for inadvertently bringing live ammunition onto the set of Rust, where it was explicitly prohibited, and for failing to adhere to basic gun safety protocols.
With attention now turning to Baldwin’s upcoming trial on a charge of involuntary manslaughter in the October 2021 death of Halyna Hutchins, prosecutors described a series of safety violations on the movie set that began with Gutierrez-Reed. At the sentencing, Gutierrez-Reed expressed that she had done her best on the set despite inadequate time, resources, and staffing, and refuted the portrayal of her as a monster.
However, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer deemed the maximum sentence appropriate given Gutierrez-Reed’s recklessness. She highlighted the absence of remorse and denied a plea for leniency and conditional discharge from defense attorneys.
Hutchins, aged 42 at the time of her death, had a background in documentary filmmaking and was described by friends and family as courageous, tenacious, and compassionate during the sentencing hearing. Ukrainian relatives of Hutchins are seeking damages from Baldwin in connection with the shooting, supported by attorney Gloria Allred who represents Hutchins’ parents and sister.
In a tearful video testimonial presented at Gutierrez-Reed’s sentencing, Hutchins’ mother, Olga Solovey, revealed, “No one has ever come to me to apologize.”
Following Hutchins’ death, the filming of “Rust” relocated to Montana under an agreement with her husband, Matthew Hutchins, who became an executive producer.
During Gutierrez-Reed’s trial, an FBI expert testified that the revolver used by Baldwin was fully functional with safety features upon arrival at the FBI laboratory. The expert demonstrated that he had to forcefully strike the fully cocked gun with a mallet and break it in order for it to discharge without the trigger being depressed.
Regarding Gutierrez-Reed’s sentence, defense attorney Jason Bowles stated that she intends to appeal the judge’s decision. He highlighted multiple system failures involving various individuals, some of whom have appeared in court, while others are yet to face trial. Gutierrez-Reed was cleared of an evidence tampering charge but still faces another felony charge in a separate case involving allegations of bringing a gun into a bar in downtown Santa Fe. At her sentencing, Gutierrez-Reed became emotional as Hutchins’ agent, Craig Mizrahi, praised the cinematographer’s creativity and hailed her as a rising star in Hollywood.