The New Mexico judge, Mary Marlowe Sommer, has ruled against the defense’s request to dismiss charges against Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the movie weapons supervisor, who is facing involuntary manslaughter and evidence-tampering charges in the 2021 shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during the filming of the movie Rust. The judge has ordered the case to proceed to a preliminary hearing, which will determine whether the evidence is sufficient to advance to trial.
Gutierrez-Reed is the sole remaining defendant in the case, as the charges against Alec Baldwin, the actor who was holding the gun that went off, were dropped in April. The prosecution is alleging that Gutierrez-Reed’s negligence led to the tragic accident, and that she failed to properly inspect and inspect the prop gun before giving it to Baldwin.
The defense argued that the case has been compromised by changes in the prosecution team, sloppiness with evidence, and public statements by prosecutors that may interfere with the right to an impartial jury. However, the judge rejected these arguments and sided with the prosecution, stating that the case should move forward to a preliminary hearing.
The prosecution’s case is built on the argument that Gutierrez-Reed failed to properly inspect and inspect the gun, and that she failed to follow standard industry protocols for handling firearms. The prosecution also alleges that Gutierrez-Reed tampered with evidence, including providing false information to investigators.
Gutierrez-Reed (Via Gutierrez-Reed/Twitter)
Gutierrez-Reed’s defense team has argued that she is being unfairly targeted, and that the prosecution’s case is based on speculation and conjecture. They also argue that the prosecution’s evidence is unreliable, and that the expert testimony will show that the gun was defective and could have gone off without being pulled.
The case is significant not only because of the tragic circumstances of the shooting, but also because it highlights the importance of proper firearms handling and safety protocols in the film industry. The incident has led to widespread outrage and calls for better safety measures on film sets.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, with authorities still trying to determine how live ammunition ended up in the prop gun. The FBI has conducted an analysis of the gun, which found that it could have gone off without pulling the trigger if force was applied to the uncocked hammer.
The case is set to go to trial, with the next phase taking place in a preliminary hearing scheduled for next week. The hearing will determine whether there is enough evidence to proceed to trial, and if so, when the trial will take place.
The prosecution is seeking up to three years in prison for Gutierrez-Reed, while the defense is seeking to clear her name and advocate for better safety standards on film sets. The case is a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to safety protocols and taking responsibility for one’s actions.
