Mar 6, 2024,06:41pm EST
In a significant development, a New Mexico jury has rendered a verdict of involuntary manslaughter against weapons safety specialist Hannah Gutierrez-Reed on Wednesday, pertaining to Alec Baldwin’s accidental shooting of a cinematographer during the filming of the western movie “Rust.” This decision comes as Baldwin awaits trial for the same charge, as reported by multiple outlets.
KEY FACTS:
- Gutierrez-Reed has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter, although she was acquitted of an evidence tampering charge.
- The trial focused extensively on how live ammunition ended up loaded into the prop gun that tragically killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Prosecutors argued that Gutierrez-Reed neglected safety protocols that could have detected the presence of live bullets.
- The jury deliberated for less than three hours before reaching their verdict. The defense for Gutierrez-Reed pointed fingers at the supplier of the bullets and Baldwin’s handling of the prop gun.
- Baldwin’s trial for involuntary manslaughter is scheduled for July, and he has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
- Jury selection for Baldwin’s trial is slated to commence on July 9, with the trial anticipated to span from July 10 to July 19.
KEY BACKGROUND:
- The tragic incident occurred in October 2021 during the filming of “Rust” in New Mexico. This was Gutierrez-Reed’s second feature film as an armorer. Her defense attorney informed jurors that Gutierrez-Reed could not have foreseen Baldwin deviating from the script by pointing the revolver at Hutchins.
- Baldwin has consistently maintained his innocence regarding the charges related to Hutchins’ shooting, asserting that he did not pull the trigger while rehearsing a quickdraw on the movie set.
- Filming for “Rust” concluded in May of the previous year.