Hannah Gutierrez-Reed: Rust Armorer Handed An 18-Month Sentence For Halyna Hutchins Death

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the Rust armorer responsible for managing weapons on the movie set, including loading a gun for actor Alec Baldwin prior to its discharge resulting in the death of a cinematographer, has been given an 18-month prison sentence.

She was acquitted of a second accusation – tampering with evidence – related to the 2021 incident involving the shooting of Halyna Hutchins on the Rust set. The sentence Gutierrez-Reed received is the highest allowable under the law.

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed Rust Armorer Convicted for Halyna Hutchins Death

Mr. Baldwin, aged 65, is also set to stand trial for manslaughter in July. He has entered a plea of not guilty to the accusations. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer, who issued the sentence on Monday in a New Mexico court, remarked that Hannah Gutierrez-Reed’s actions represent a grave, violent offense carried out in a physically aggressive manner.

“You single-handedly transformed a safe weapon into a deadly one,” Judge Sommer stated, directing her words to the armorer. “If not for your actions, Ms. Hutchins would still be alive. A husband would have his companion, and a young boy would have his mother.”

Ms. Hutchins, 42, tragically lost her life during the filming of Rust. This happened when a firearm that Mr. Baldwin was handling during a rehearsal fired a live round on the set of the Western film in New Mexico.

Prosecutors argued that armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed failed to ensure that the firearm was loaded exclusively with dummy bullets. Moreover, the bullets are designed to look and sound like the real thing.

“In essence, this case revolves around continued safety failures that culminated in the tragic loss of a human life.” This stated prosecutor Kari T. Morrissey during closing arguments in the trial.

Ms. Morrissey informed jurors that Gutierrez-Reed was “negligent,” “careless” and “thoughtless” in her actions. In addition, she failed to detect the presence of real bullets among the fake bullets in an ammunition box on the set.

The Prosecutors Statements

Prosecutors stated that one of those bullets was present in the firearm used by Mr. Baldwin. Jurors deliberated for three hours before reaching their verdict in March. Ms. Hutchins’ parents and her sister expressed satisfaction with the verdict.

In their statement, they add, “We anticipate that the judicial system will continue to ensure that all others responsible for Halyna’s death are held accountable.” Before her sentencing, armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed addressed the court, expressing her heartfelt sorrow for the Hutchins family and friends. “The jury has found me guilty; that doesn’t define me as a monster. It simply acknowledges my humanity,” she said tearfully.

However, Judge Sommer expressed her sentiment that the armorer did not take responsibility for her actions. “I did not hear you accept accountability,” the judge remarked.

Ms. Hutchins’ mother and sister also addressed the court through recorded videos from their native Kyiv, Ukraine. In the translated video, the mother, Olga Solovey, expressed that none of those involved in her daughter’s death had ever reached out to offer condolences.

“It’s very important to me that there is justice,” the mother stated.

Throughout the trial, prosecutors presented evidence indicating that Gutierrez-Reed had transported a box of live bullets from her residence in California to the film set in New Mexico. They argued that these live rounds gradually dispersed throughout the set for 12 days.

Ms. Morrissey expressed her belief that the armorer did not intend to bring live rounds to the set, but rather characterized Ms. Hutchins’ death as a tragic result of negligence.

The prosecutor further emphasized that armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed appeared to be more concerned about her career than the well-being of the victims in the aftermath of the shooting.

Gutierrez-Reed Did Not Testify During Trial on the Behalf of Attorneys’ Recommendations

Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed chose not to testify during the two-week trial. In addition, his lawyer argued in closing arguments that prosecutors had failed to prove that his client was solely responsible for the tragic shooting.

“The contents of the ammunition boxes are irrelevant because we cannot determine what was inside them three or four days earlier.” This stated her attorney, Jason Bowles. In addition, he addressed the jury. Here he argued that his client was unaware of the presence of real bullets on the set.

Mr. Bowles also placed blame on Mr. Baldwin, contending that he had deviated from the script by aiming the gun at the film crew. “There was no directive in the script for Mr. Baldwin to point the weapon,” he stated. “She was unaware that Mr. Baldwin would take the actions he did.”

Bowles had pledged to appeal the verdict of guilt.

The jury acquitted Gutierrez-Reed of evidence tampering charges. These allegations involved her attempting to dispose of a small bag of narcotics after the shooting.

Last year, the cast and crew of the film wrapped filming as a tribute to Ms. Hutchins. In addition, her husband served as executive producer.

Featured Image Via Santa Fe County Corrections/MEGA

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