"Rust" armourer avoids prison time with new guilty plea deal
Responsible for weapons on the set of "Rust," Hannah Gutierrez Reed, accused of involuntary manslaughter of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, has agreed to plead guilty. As a result, instead of an additional 18 months in prison, she will be sentenced to 18 months of supervision to be served at her home in Arizona.
The 27-year-old Gutierrez Reed is currently serving an 18-month prison sentence for the involuntary manslaughter of Hutchins after a jury found her guilty of negligently loading live ammunition into a firearm belonging to actor Alec Baldwin, leading to a tragic accident. Charges against Baldwin were dropped during his trial in July due to procedural errors by the prosecution.
Gutierrez Reed's defence is now attempting to get the involuntary manslaughter conviction overturned, arguing similar procedural violations. Additionally, Gutierrez Reed was previously charged with another offence related to bringing a firearm to the Matador bar on October 1, 2021, about three weeks before Hutchins' death. The defence claimed the new charges were meant to pressure Gutierrez Reed into pleading guilty in the original case.
In connection with the proceedings, additional hearings have been scheduled, including a new trial for involuntary manslaughter planned for September 26, 2023, at 11:00 AM (ET). Ultimately, the decision to plead guilty to bringing the firearm to the bar and take the supervision sentence will allow Gutierrez Reed to avoid additional prison time. This case continues to evoke strong emotions and controversy, especially considering the allegations against the prosecution's methods.
Recall that the tragedy occurred in October 2021. In one of the scenes of "Rust," Alec Baldwin was to handle a firearm, which was inadvertently discharged. While the director was fortunately only grazed, the cinematographer did not survive. The 42-year-old Hutchins was airlifted to a hospital, but unfortunately, she could not be saved.
