‘Rust’ armourer to start trial in New Mexico over fatal shooting
Rust armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is set to go on trial in New Mexico for the fatal shooting of the film’s cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, which happened on set in 2021.
Hutchins passed away due to a firearm discharge during the production of the Western movie near Santa Fe in October 2021.
As a result, Reed and lead actor Alec Baldwin face charges of manslaughter, the latter of which has yet to reach trial for his involvement. Although Baldwin was initially cleared of any criminal involvement, new evidence surfaced last year that demonstrated his potential for “criminal culpability” for the killing of Hutchins and the injury sustained to director Joel Souza.
“After extensive investigation over the past several months, additional facts have come to light that we believe show Mr. Baldwin has criminal culpability in the death of Halyna Hutchins and the shooting of Joel Souza,” special prosecutors Kari Morrisey and Jason Lewis claim in a statement.
Reed has since entered a plea of not guilty to charges related to involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering. If found guilty, she could potentially face a maximum sentence of three years in prison.
Legal authorities claimed that Reed failed to adequately verify that all rounds in the firearm were inert, resembling live ammunition but lacking any harmful substances.
Additionally, court prosecutors stated that Reed was reportedly hungover at the time of the incident and allegedly handed over a bag of cocaine shortly after being interrogated about the shooting. However, Reed’s defence asserts that her decision-making abilities were not compromised.
The armourer’s trial is set to begin on February 21st, 2024.
This is a developing story.
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