Rust Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed Found Guilty Of Manslaughter

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Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the set of “Rust,” has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in connection to the tragic death of Halyna Hutchins. The verdict was delivered in a New Mexico court after a trial that lasted about two weeks. The jury also considered a charge of evidence tampering but found Gutierrez-Reed not guilty of that allegation.

The Trial and Verdict

During the trial, the prosecution presented several witnesses, including the first assistant director, a producer, and a line producer from the film. Their testimony supported the prosecution’s argument that Gutierrez-Reed’s negligence and carelessness on the set led to the fatal shooting. The jury ultimately agreed with the prosecution’s case, leading to the guilty verdict for involuntary manslaughter.

Sentencing and Reaction

Following the verdict, Gutierrez-Reed was remanded to custody and taken to jail, despite her attorneys’ request for her to remain free until sentencing. The judge cited the seriousness of the charges and the fact that a life had been lost as reasons for her immediate detention. Gutierrez-Reed’s family, present in the courtroom, reacted emotionally to the decision.

Defense and Future Proceedings

Gutierrez-Reed’s defense centered on the argument that she was overworked by the production, distancing her from responsibility in the shooting incident. While the jury did not find evidence of tampering, they held her accountable for involuntary manslaughter. It remains to be seen whether Gutierrez-Reed will appeal the verdict.

Meanwhile, actor Alec Baldwin, also involved in the “Rust” incident, is set to face his own trial later this summer, as he faces manslaughter charges to which he has pleaded not guilty.