Santa Fe, New Mexico – The jury has started deliberating in the trial of “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, where she faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering. The case revolves around the tragic incident on the film set where a live round was unwittingly loaded into a prop gun, resulting in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuries to director Joel Souza.
Prosecutors argue that a series of safety failures led to the fatal shooting, emphasizing the negligence and carelessness displayed by Gutierrez-Reed. They highlighted the presence of live rounds mixed with dummy rounds on set, brought in by the defendant’s alleged oversight. The defense, however, contends that Gutierrez-Reed should not be held solely responsible, pointing the finger at actor Alec Baldwin for the unplanned firing of the weapon.
Throughout the trial, eyewitnesses, including Souza himself, recounted the chaotic scene that unfolded after the gun was discharged. The emotional testimony of film’s safety coordinator, Dave Halls, shed light on the lapses in the safety protocols on set, with Halls admitting to not conducting a thorough inspection of the firearm.
Special prosecutor Jason Lewis characterized Gutierrez-Reed’s conduct as “sloppy” and “unprofessional,” attributing her actions to Hutchins’ tragic death. However, the defense maintains that the unforeseen circumstances on set, particularly Baldwin’s deviation from the script, were the primary factors leading to the fatal outcome.
As the jury deliberates Gutierrez-Reed’s fate, the trial for Alec Baldwin, who also faces charges related to the incident, is scheduled to begin in July. The outcome of this trial will likely have lasting implications for the film industry’s safety protocols and accountability measures on set.