EDITOR’S UPDATE: Just after this morning’s publication, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled to uphold Hutchins’ conviction. She does still have an appeal pending in an upper court. Our eyes are on this ongoing story…
A judge in Santa Fe, N.M., will soon decide whether to dismiss Hannah Gutierrez-Reed’s conviction in the tragic “Rust” shooting case.
At a Glance
- A judge is reconsidering the criminal conviction of movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed in the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins by Alec Baldwin.
- Gutierrez-Reed’s attorney argues that prosecutors failed to share potentially exculpatory evidence, including ammunition.
- Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer previously dismissed a similar case against Baldwin due to evidence withholding by police and prosecutors.
- Baldwin was involved in the incident during a rehearsal on the set of the movie “Rust” in October 2021, which resulted in Hutchins’ death and director Joel Souza’s injury.
- The judge dismissed Baldwin’s case due to “egregious discovery violations” and false testimony by a witness.
Judge to Reassess Gutierrez-Reed’s Conviction
Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer is set to review the case against Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer of the film “Rust,” who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the accidental shooting that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Gutierrez-Reed, who is currently serving an 18-month sentence, asserts that the prosecutors withheld evidence that could have exonerated her.
Her attorneys argue that crucial evidence, including ammunition-related reports, was not disclosed before the trial. This pattern of evidence withholding echoes the legal proceedings against Alec Baldwin, which Judge Sommer previously dismissed. Defense attorney Jason Bowles emphasized, “This pattern of (evidence) discovery abuse occurred in Ms. Gutierrez-Reed’s case in the same manner that it did in Mr. Baldwin’s case.”
Alec Baldwin asks judge to dismiss charges in fatal 'Rust' shooting. In a lengthy motion, Baldwin's attorneys allege prosecutorial misconduct, ask the judge to toss the actor's indictment for involuntary manslaughter. https://t.co/yoYaj9PIiC
— Meg James (@MegJamesLAT) March 15, 2024
Previous Dismissal of Baldwin’s Charges
In a parallel case, Alec Baldwin faced involuntary manslaughter charges in the same incident but was acquitted after Judge Sommer dismissed the charges, citing “egregious discovery violations.” Prosecutors initially blamed Baldwin for pulling the trigger, although he maintains that he only pulled back the hammer and did not fire the gun.
“Baldwin was entitled to pursue the truth at trial, especially after he requested to see ‘all rounds, casings and deconstructed rounds’ in the state’s possession,” the new court filing by defense attorneys states. “Yet the state deliberately withheld the evidence that Baldwin had requested.”
The judge determined that prosecutorial misconduct and witness false testimony had compromised Baldwin’s right to a fair trial. This decision has raised questions about the integrity of the investigations and the potential for similar outcomes in Gutierrez-Reed’s appeal. Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey has contested claims of misconduct, maintaining that Gutierrez-Reed’s defense was aware of the ammunition situation.
Implications for Film Set Safety
Beyond the legal arguments, this case underscores a significant issue in the film industry: gun safety on sets. Gutierrez-Reed’s defense cites failures in established safety protocols, contributing significantly to the tragic events. Critics believe that a thorough review and overhaul of safety measures are long overdue to prevent such catastrophic incidents in the future.
“Rust” movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is serving an 18-month sentence on a conviction for involuntary manslaughter. She was accused of flouting standard safety protocols and missing multiple opportunities to detect forbidden live ammunition on set.
The appeal’s outcome will bear crucial implications not just for Gutierrez-Reed and Baldwin but for the broader discussion surrounding film set regulations and the responsibilities of those handling firearms. As this legal battle unfolds, we remember that the core of this tragedy is the loss of a talented cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, whose untimely death continues to resonate deeply within the film community.
