Feb. 27, 2024
Rust film armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence in relation to the fatal shooting of the movie’s cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins. By K Dass.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the set of
the movie Rust, is currently facing serious legal charges. She has
pleaded not guilty to two counts of involuntary manslaughter and one charge of
evidence tampering. The tragic incident occurred during the filming of Rust
in October 2021, resulting in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Prosecutors argue that negligent acts by
Gutierrez-Reed led to Hutchins’ death. They claim that she was disorganised and
chaotic in her handling of firearms on set, and a live round was mistakenly
mixed up with dummy rounds in a box. Gutierrez-Reed’s lawyers, however,
attribute the blame to actor Alec Baldwin, arguing that he violated basic
safety protocols.
The charges against Gutierrez-Reed are the result
of a flawed investigation, according to her attorneys. They intend to bring the
full truth to light and believe she will be exonerated by a jury. Meanwhile,
Baldwin’s attorney maintains that the charges represent a miscarriage of
justice, as Baldwin relied on professionals who assured him the gun did not
contain live rounds.
The trial will shed light on the events that
unfolded during the filming of Rust and determine the accountability of
those involved. In New Mexico, involuntary manslaughter is a fourth-degree
felony, punishable by up to 18 months in jail and a $5,000 fine. The case
serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety protocols on film sets,
especially when handling firearms.