‘Rust’ armorer denied new trial, conviction upheld for fatal shooting

A New Mexico judge has denied armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed’s request for a new trial, affirming her involuntary manslaughter conviction in the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The ruling was issued on Monday, and Gutierrez Reed will remain in custody to serve the remainder of her 18-month sentence.

The case centers around the fatal incident that occurred on October 21, 2021, when Hutchins, 42, was shot by a live round fired from a prop gun held by actor Alec Baldwin on the set of the western film “Rust.” The film’s director was also injured in the incident, which raised significant concerns about safety protocols on movie sets.

Gutierrez Reed, who was responsible for managing firearms on set, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in March. Prosecutors argued that she had repeatedly violated safety protocols, allowing six live rounds to be present on set. In contrast, her defense claimed that she was being scapegoated for broader safety failures involving the film’s management and crew.

Alec Baldwin faced similar charges of involuntary manslaughter but pleaded not guilty. During his trial in July, prosecutors accused him of breaching fundamental firearm safety rules by pointing the prop gun at Hutchins and pulling the trigger. Baldwin’s defense shifted blame onto Gutierrez Reed and the first assistant director for permitting a live round to be loaded into the prop gun.

However, Baldwin’s charges were dismissed shortly after his trial began. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled that prosecutors had failed to provide crucial evidence to the defense, describing the withholding of evidence as “intentional and deliberate.” The dismissal of Baldwin’s case was with prejudice, meaning the charges cannot be refiled.

In 2023, David Halls, the assistant director on “Rust,” accepted a plea deal for his role in the incident. He pleaded no contest to one count of negligent use of a deadly weapon and was sentenced to six months of unsupervised probation, marking a significant development in the ongoing legal saga surrounding the shooting.

Gutierrez Reed’s attorneys argued in their July motion for a new trial that there was “egregious prosecutorial misconduct” and a pattern of “severe and ongoing discovery violations by the state.” These claims were central to her request for either a new trial or a dismissal of her conviction, but the judge ultimately upheld the original ruling.

The case has attracted widespread media attention and sparked a national conversation about safety practices in the film industry, particularly concerning the handling of firearms on set. Hutchins’s death has prompted calls for reform in safety protocols, emphasizing the need for rigorous training and adherence to safety standards to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

This situation has also highlighted the emotional toll on the individuals involved. Baldwin, in particular, has expressed profound regret over the incident, maintaining that he did not pull the trigger and was unaware that the weapon contained a live round. As legal proceedings continue, the impact of this incident will likely resonate throughout the industry.

As of now, Gutierrez Reed remains in custody, and her legal team has indicated they may pursue further appeals. This ongoing legal battle continues to unfold, drawing attention to the complexities of accountability in tragic accidents.

This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available. The ramifications of this case may influence future safety regulations and practices in Hollywood and beyond, underscoring the critical importance of ensuring that all necessary precautions are taken to protect cast and crew on film sets.