Judge Issues Ruling Upholding Hannah Gutierrez-Reed’s Conviction

A New Mexico judge upholds the conviction of “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, denying her request for a new trial in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

At a Glance

Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer upheld Gutierrez-Reed’s involuntary manslaughter conviction.
Gutierrez-Reed’s request for a new trial and release from custody were denied.
The armorer was sentenced to 18 months in prison for her role in the “Rust” shooting.
Her attorneys argued that prosecutors failed to share potentially exculpatory evidence.

Judge Upholds Conviction, Denies New Trial

In a significant development in the “Rust” movie set shooting case, a New Mexico judge has upheld the involuntary manslaughter conviction of armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer rejected Gutierrez-Reed’s attempts to dismiss her conviction or secure a new trial, maintaining that the armorer’s legal team failed to prove that the trial’s outcome would have been different with additional evidence.

Gutierrez-Reed, who was responsible for firearm safety on the set of the Western film “Rust,” was convicted by a jury in March and subsequently sentenced to the maximum 18-month prison term. Her conviction stems from her role in the tragic incident where actor Alec Baldwin fired a prop gun, resulting in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injury to director Joel Souza.

A New Mexico judge on Monday upheld an involuntary manslaughter conviction against a movie armorer in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer by Alec Baldwin on the set of the Western film “Rust.”https://t.co/14nDY7Gbcf

— FOX26 News (@KMPHFOX26) October 1, 2024

Prosecutors’ Case and Defense Arguments

Prosecutors argued that Gutierrez-Reed was culpable for bringing live ammunition onto the movie set and failing to adhere to basic gun safety protocols. The prosecution’s case emphasized her negligence in handling firearms and her inability to detect a live round, which ultimately led to the fatal shooting.

In their bid for a new trial, Gutierrez-Reed’s attorneys contended that the case should be reconsidered due to the prosecution’s alleged failure to share potentially exculpatory evidence. This argument gained traction following the collapse of Alec Baldwin’s trial over the same incident, where evidence was found to have been withheld. However, Judge Sommer ruled that the withheld evidence, including a firearms expert report and additional ammunition, would not have produced a different verdict in Gutierrez-Reed’s case.

Ongoing Legal Proceedings

Despite the setback, Gutierrez-Reed’s legal battle is far from over. Her defense team has announced plans to appeal the decision, with an appeal of her involuntary manslaughter conviction already pending in a higher court. The armorer’s attorneys are challenging the verdict on various grounds, including claims of faulty jury instructions.

In a separate development, Gutierrez-Reed faces an additional felony charge for allegedly carrying a gun into a bar where firearms are prohibited. A proposed plea agreement for this charge is currently awaiting court review.

As the legal proceedings continue to unfold, the “Rust” shooting case remains a focal point in discussions about film set safety and accountability in the entertainment industry. The upheld conviction of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed marks a significant chapter in this ongoing saga, with potential implications for future film productions and safety protocols.