(USNewsBreak.com) – Earlier this month, a judge dismissed the involuntary manslaughter charges against actor Alec Baldwin for the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins after finding that the prosecution withheld significant evidence from the defense team. The armorer in the case, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, however, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in March and sentenced to 18 months in prison. Her attorneys are now trying to have her case dismissed following the ruling in Baldwin’s trial.
On Tuesday, July 16, Gutierrez-Reed’s lawyers filed an expedited motion for either a new trial or a dismissal, citing the “severe and ongoing discovery violations by the State.” She was already in the process of appealing the case when the decision came down in Baldwin’s case. Now, her legal team is looking to capitalize on it. Lawyer Jason Bowles said a month after his client’s conviction, the lead prosecutor in Gutierrez-Reed’s case, Kari Morrissey, provided him with a previously undisclosed interview conducted with Seth Kenney, a key witness in the case.
Rust armorer seeks to undo conviction after judge dismissed Alec Baldwin case https://t.co/XHxvQIKreh
— Guardian US (@GuardianUS) July 17, 2024
Morrissey told the media she would be filing her written response shortly but refused to comment further. Bowles is also looking to have her removed from the case due to misconduct and is seeking Gutierrez-Reed’s release from jail. New Mexico District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies is continuing to stand behind Morrissey.
Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty after prosecutors alleged “She was negligent … careless … thoughtless” and displayed an “astonishing lack of diligence.” They blamed her for bringing live ammunition onto the set. She was acquitted of allegations of evidence tampering. She is still facing a felony charge in another case, where she allegedly brought a gun into a bar in downtown Santa Fe.
While Baldwin’s criminal case in the death of Hutchins is now over, having been dismissed with prejudice, he is still facing civil lawsuits from some crew members on Rust as well as Hutchins’ family.
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