“Rust” Armorer Found Guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter in Fatal Shooting
In a shocking turn of events, the armorer responsible for the tragic shooting on the set of the Western movie “Rust” in 2021 has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the 26-year-old armorer, was convicted after just three hours of deliberation by the jury. The verdict holds her ultimately responsible for the live rounds that were present on set, one of which killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins when it was fired from a gun held by actor Alec Baldwin during a rehearsal.
Gutierrez-Reed’s conviction has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and raised questions about safety protocols on film sets. The movie weapons supervisor’s parents were present in court when the verdict was delivered, and Gutierrez-Reed’s mother couldn’t hide her anguish as she buried her face in her hands. Despite the guilty verdict, Gutierrez-Reed’s lawyers have stated that she will be appealing the decision. If she does not succeed in her appeal, she could face up to 18 months in prison.
During the trial, prosecutors argued that Gutierrez-Reed repeatedly ignored gun-safety protocols, which would have detected the live rounds that she unknowingly brought onto the set. They claimed that she was ultimately responsible for the weapons and ammunition that caused Hutchins’ death. The Santa Fe County Sheriff supported this claim, stating that Gutierrez-Reed had flouted safety protocols.
Prosecutor Kari Morrissey described the situation on set as a game of Russian roulette, where actors had guns loaded with dummies. She argued that Gutierrez-Reed failed to maintain firearms safety, making the fatal accident both willful and foreseeable. However, Gutierrez-Reed’s defense attorneys argued that she was being made a scapegoat for larger safety issues on the set, including Baldwin’s mishandling of the weapons. They emphasized that it was not in the script for Baldwin to point the gun, and Gutierrez-Reed had no knowledge of his actions. They also stressed that nobody working on “Rust” believed there were live rounds on set.
In a surprising twist, Gutierrez-Reed was found not guilty of tampering with evidence. Her lawyers had argued that she was being unfairly blamed for safety issues that extended beyond her responsibility as the armorer. They pointed out that Rust Productions had hired her as a part-time armorer while also expecting her to handle props. The defense team highlighted the flawed decision-making by the production company, ultimately shifting some blame away from Gutierrez-Reed.
The verdict places a significant portion of the blame for Hutchins’ death on the armorer. However, it is worth noting that the film’s assistant director, David Halls, had previously pleaded no contest to negligent handling of a firearm. Furthermore, Alec Baldwin, the movie’s star actor and co-producer, has been indicted on a charge of involuntary manslaughter. Baldwin maintains that he never pulled the trigger, contradicting the FBI’s ruling that the gun could not have fired without the trigger being clipped. His trial is scheduled for July.
Hutchins’ family expressed their satisfaction with Gutierrez-Reed’s conviction and issued a statement through their attorney. They are hopeful that the justice system will continue to hold all those responsible for Halyna’s death accountable. The tragic incident on the set of “Rust” has shed light on the need for stricter safety protocols and better oversight in the entertainment industry. It is essential to ensure that such accidents are prevented in the future, allowing artists to pursue their craft in a safe environment.
The aftermath of this trial will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the film industry. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining rigorous safety standards on movie sets to protect the lives of those involved. As the trial of Alec Baldwin approaches, the world will be watching to see how justice unfolds.
