Rust armor Hannah Gutierrez-Reed pleads not guilty to involuntary manslaughter of cameraman Halyna Hutchins who was killed by Alec Baldwin
- Rust Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed pleads not guilty to two charges
- She will face trial for involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence
- The trial against the arms dealer is scheduled for December 6 to 15 this year
Rust gunmaker Hannah Gutierrez-Reed has entered not guilty pleas to involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence in connection with the accidental death of cameraman Halyna Hutchins.
The arms dealer’s trial is set for December 6-15 as prosecutors look to prove she acted recklessly loading a wad pistol in October 2021 before handing it over to actor Alec Baldwin for a rehearsal.
Production stopped abruptly when Baldwin made a live round, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the film set in New Mexico.
Two involuntary manslaughter charges for the death of a mother against Baldwin were dropped earlier this year.
Prosecutors have charged Gutierrez-Reed with involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence
Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed on the set of Rust when she was hit by a live bullet from a gun fired by Alec Baldwin
The actor was seen lingering outside the park of the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office after asking questions about the accidental shooting
Filming was halted immediately in October 2021 following Hutchins’ death and Joel Souza’s injuries
Prosecutors, however, are moving forward with Gutierrez-Reed’s case and will argue that she failed to properly check all the rounds to make sure they were dummies.
They will also try to prove that Gutierrez-Reed gave a bag of cocaine to another person the night after Hutchins was shot.
Special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis previously filed a motion stating that they have a confidential witness who will testify.
The witness is expected to claim that Gutierrez-Reed handed over the drugs after returning from her initial police questioning.
“The circumstances of the transfer of evidence strongly support the charge that the defendant transferred the cocaine to avoid prosecution and prevent law enforcement from obtaining highly incriminating evidence directly related to the defendant’s handling of the firearm and the circumstances of the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins,” the prosecutors wrote.
Baldwin was initially charged, but the case was dropped after evidence suggested the gun could have fired without him pulling the trigger
Hutchins pictured on the set of Rust
The gun maker is said to have handed over a bag of cocaine to another film employee after her police interrogation in October 2021
The Ukrainian had worked on more than 30 feature films, short films and TV shows
Gutierrez-Reed waived her right to an arraignment and preliminary hearing on Wednesday when she entered the plea.
Jury selection begins the day before the opening of statements.
Gutierrez-Reed’s lawyers previously said they “fully expect Hannah to be acquitted as well at the end of this trial.”
The state of New Mexico, where the shooting took place, was forced to drop charges against Baldwin after he lost several preliminary rulings.
He has said in interviews that he was told the gun was safe and that he never pulled the trigger.
Santa Fe County prosecutors may still decide to file new counts after they send the weapon for further investigation.
Investigators are first investigating suggestions that the gun could have fired without him pulling the trigger.
Following a damning safety review by New Mexico regulators detailing complaints of ignored complaints and misfires before Hutchins’ death in October 2021, the production company agreed to pay a $100,000 fine.