Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer involved in the fatal October 2021 shooting of “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, is expected to testify on Friday in Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial. This development could significantly impact the proceedings, as Gutierrez-Reed’s testimony may provide crucial insights into the tragic incident.
Gutierrez-Reed’s own trial for involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering is nearing its conclusion, with closing arguments expected to commence soon. If found guilty, she faces up to three years in state prison. The jury, consisting of seven women and five men, could begin deliberations as early as Wednesday, potentially delivering a verdict by Friday.
The trial, which began on February 2, has seen various testimonies and evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defense. Alec Baldwin, who has consistently maintained that he did not pull the trigger on the Colt .45 revolver that killed Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza, is also facing involuntary manslaughter charges. Baldwin’s trial is scheduled to start on July 9, and he could face up to 18 months in prison if convicted.
The defense plans to call Gutierrez-Reed’s stepfather, Thell Reed, an industry veteran and acclaimed sharpshooter, to testify. Reed’s testimony could be pivotal for the defense, as he has previously stated that his stepdaughter was competent in her role as an armorer. He has also suggested that sabotage might have been involved in the incident.
During the trial, Seth Kenney, the ammunition supplier for “Rust,” testified about his relationship with Thell Reed and the use of ammunition on set. Kenney suggested that Reed might be trying to shift the blame onto him for the presence of live rounds on the set. The prosecution rested its case on Monday, and the defense began presenting its case on Tuesday.
Lorenzo Montoya, an OSHA Compliance Officer, testified that the management team on “Rust” was responsible for a series of failures that culminated in the shooting accident. Montoya’s testimony aimed to show that Gutierrez-Reed was not given adequate time or authority to perform her duties as an armorer. He also stated that the production failed to enforce its firearm safety policy.
Another OSHA official, Robert Genoway, testified that Gutierrez-Reed was not provided with the proper authority or time to do her job effectively. The defense argued that the production’s cost-cutting measures led to Gutierrez-Reed being assigned additional duties, which compromised her ability to focus on her primary role as an armorer.
David Halls, the first assistant director on “Rust,” took a plea deal in the case, admitting to a negligence misdemeanor charge. Halls testified that he did not hand the gun to Baldwin, although other witnesses, including Baldwin, initially claimed otherwise. Halls’ testimony highlighted the chaotic and unsafe conditions on the set.
The defense also attempted to have the case against Gutierrez-Reed dismissed, arguing that the prosecution had not provided sufficient evidence to prove that she brought live ammunition onto the set. However, the judge denied this motion, as well as a request from the prosecution to change the term “cocaine” in the evidence tampering charge to “suspected controlled substance.”
As the trial progresses, the focus will shift to Gutierrez-Reed’s testimony and its potential impact on Baldwin’s upcoming trial. The prosecution has argued that Baldwin had no reason to believe the gun contained live ammunition and that the firearm was damaged during FBI forensic testing. Baldwin’s defense team has countered that the gun was improperly handled by government agents, which could have affected the evidence.
During the fatal rehearsal on October 21, 2021, Baldwin was practicing a cross-draw in a church on the set when the gun fired a live round, striking Hutchins and Souza. Baldwin has maintained that he pulled back the gun’s hammer but did not pull the trigger. The prosecution plans to present evidence showing that the firearm could not have fired without the trigger being pulled.
At Gutierrez-Reed’s trial, an FBI expert testified that the gun was fully functional with safety features when it arrived at the FBI laboratory. The expert stated that he had to strike the fully cocked gun with a mallet to make it fire without depressing the trigger.
Baldwin has pleaded not guilty to the involuntary manslaughter charge, which carries a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison. The judge previously rejected a motion for dismissal from Baldwin’s defense team, ruling that the grand jury was able to make an independent judgment on the indictment.
Last year, special prosecutors dismissed an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin, citing potential modifications to the gun before the shooting. However, they later pursued a grand jury indictment after receiving a new analysis of the firearm.
As the trial continues, the testimonies and evidence presented will play a crucial role in determining the outcomes for both Gutierrez-Reed and Baldwin. The Santa Fe County courtroom remains the focal point of this high-profile case, with the potential for significant legal and industry-wide implications.
Source: Scripps News, ABC News
