Hannah Gutierrez-Reed – Rust Armorer Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for On-set Shooting
The armorer of the film Rust, Hannah Gutierrez, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of Halya Hutchins. She has been sentenced to 18 months in prison by a New Mexico Judge.
The judge, Mary Marlowe Sommer, said that Gutierrez-Reed failed the responsibility of keeping the set safe. She also added the armorer had to stand between a safe weapon and a weapon that could kill someone.
Jurors concluded she was partially liable for the shooting, as she bought the live ammunition on set unknowingly. The production banned the live rounds strictly.
The incident happened in October 2021. The cinematographer was shot and killed on the set of Rust, and the gun was fired by Alec Baldwin, which was loaded with a live bullet accidentally, and that killed Hutchins. At the time of production, Gutierrez-Reed was assigned to handle the firearms.
The bullet also hit Joel Souza, the director of the film, but thankfully, he has recovered from the injury. Baldwin didn’t accept pulling the trigger, but after the analysis from the forensic, the prosecution concluded that the revolver was not likely to fire without his action. He also faced the trial and got 18 months in prison.
During the sentencing, the defense lawyer requested to consider the devasting situation of Gutierrez-Reed. But the prosecutor highlighted Reed’s lack of deep regret. The special prosecutor, Kari Morrissey, also added that Ms Gutierrez refused to accept the role of responsibility for Halyna Hutchins’ death.
During the court file earlier this month, the prosecutors requested a maximum sentence for Gutierrez-Reed because her careless acts resulted in severe harm.
The judge also pointed out that she had taken the crime lightly, as she had a conversation with someone during the Jailhouse call that it was making a mess to her modeling career. After hearing her sentence, Gutierrez-Reed sobbed, but Sommer continued that the action of her makes a severe and violent offense.
The witnesses largely praised the cinematographer by speaking on behalf of Hutchins. Her agent remembered Hutchins saw the film Rust as a significant career opportunity. Her friends and colleagues recalled her extroverted attitude and parenting skills. They also added that Gutierrez-Reed deserved the maximum sentence.
The prosecutors played the video of Olga Solovey, Hutchin’s mother. In that video, she said that the day of her death ruined her entire life. She also added that that day turned her life upside down; without her, it was tough.
The prosecution also added a slide show as a memorial, including the photos of Hutchins, to which they added the tune “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd.
The jury decided after the two-week trial, and during that time, the jurors collected details from crew members, weapon experts, and detectives.