Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the armorer of the troubled production of the Western film Rust starring Alec Baldwin, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter on Wednesday.
The conviction came as a result of her involvement in the accidental shooting death of the film’s cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins.
After less than three hours of deliberation, jurors returned with a verdict, marking the end of a two-week trial that delved into the safety lapses on the set of Rust. Gutierrez Reed was acquitted of tampering with evidence but now faces up to 18 months in prison, with her sentencing scheduled for April.
As the verdict was read, Gutierrez Reed was visibly emotional and was comforted by her attorney, Monnica Barreras, before being remanded into custody by Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer. The jury’s decision was met with a sense of justice by observers like juror Alberto Sanchez, who emphasized the importance of accountability, particularly in roles involving weapon handling.
The tragic incident occurred on October 21, 2021, at the Bonanza Creek Ranch outside Santa Fe, New Mexico, where Alec Baldwin, the lead actor, discharged a firearm loaded with a live round instead of a dummy round, resulting in Hutchins’ death and the injury of director Joel Souza. Gutierrez Reed, responsible for ensuring weapon safety on set, loaded the live ammunition into Baldwin’s pistol, a breach of industry safety protocols.
Gutierrez Reed’s familial ties to the industry, being the daughter of legendary film armorer Thell Reed, raised questions during the trial. Thell Reed was present in the courtroom during the verdict but did not testify. Gutierrez Reed’s mother, Stacy Reed, was also in attendance and visibly distraught as her daughter was led away.
The prosecution argued that Gutierrez Reed’s actions demonstrated a willful disregard for safety protocols, while the defense attempted to shift blame to management and the weapons supplier. However, the jury ultimately sided with the prosecution, agreeing that Gutierrez Reed’s negligence directly contributed to Hutchins’ death.
Outside the courthouse, Gutierrez Reed’s attorney, Jason Bowles, expressed disappointment with the verdict and announced plans for an appeal, citing insufficient evidence and speculative arguments presented during the trial.
Meanwhile, Mary Carmack-Altwies, the district attorney, commended the prosecution team for their exhaustive efforts to seek justice for Hutchins’ family and friends. Special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis, appointed to the case, undertook thorough investigations and analysis to present a compelling case against Gutierrez Reed.
The verdict has brought a sense of closure to some, including attorney Gloria Allred, who represents Hutchins’ family in a civil lawsuit against Baldwin and the producers of Rust. Allred expressed satisfaction with the outcome but emphasized the importance of holding all responsible parties accountable for the tragic and preventable loss of Halyna Hutchins.
As the legal proceedings continue, the film industry continues to grapple with the aftermath of the Rust tragedy, prompting calls for stricter safety measures on film sets to prevent similar incidents in the future.
