Summary
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer involved in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust,” is facing a crucial court hearing to determine whether her conviction for involuntary manslaughter will be dismissed or if she will receive a retrial. This hearing comes after allegations that prosecutors suppressed evidence that could have been beneficial to her defense.
Gutierrez-Reed, who is currently serving an 18-month jail sentence following her conviction in March, has requested the court to reconsider her case based on claims of withheld evidence, including potentially exculpatory materials related to the ammunition used in the shooting. A judge had previously dismissed the involuntary manslaughter case against actor Alec Baldwin, who was holding the gun that discharged, due to similar concerns about prosecutorial misconduct. This context has led to Gutierrez-Reed’s legal team arguing that she is being unfairly scapegoated in the aftermath of the tragic incident. The hearing is set to take place at 12 p.m. EST, and it will be live-streamed for public viewing.
Background of the Case
On October 21, 2021, during a rehearsal for “Rust,” Baldwin was reportedly pointing a gun at Hutchins when it discharged, resulting in her death and injuring director Joel Souza. While Baldwin has maintained that he did not pull the trigger, Gutierrez-Reed has faced scrutiny for her role in handling the firearms on set. Prosecutors have accused her of failing to follow safety protocols and inadvertently allowing live ammunition onto the set, a claim she has consistently denied.
Current Legal Proceedings
As the court hearing approaches, Gutierrez-Reed’s attorney, Jason Bowles, has emphasized the significance of the suppressed evidence in her case, arguing that it could change the jury’s verdict. The judge’s decision on whether to grant a retrial or dismiss the conviction could have far-reaching implications for Gutierrez-Reed and the ongoing legal discourse surrounding the tragic events on the “Rust” set.
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