Happening right now, jury selection is underway in New Mexico in the trial of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. She was the armorer, responsible for weapons on the set of the movie 'Rust' in 2021. Gutierrez-Reed has pleaded not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence in connection with the fatal shooting of the film's cinematographer, Helena Hutchins.
Prosecutors emphasize that the trial is a path to accountability for Hutchins' death. They assert that while the incident was accidental, it resulted in a tragic loss of life, leading to the charges against Gutierrez-Reed and actor Alec Baldwin. The focus of the recent hearing was on Gutierrez-Reed's alleged negligence as the armorer, responsible for weapon safety and ammunition storage.
Prosecutors claim that Gutierrez-Reed was negligent, potentially impaired by substances during the incident. They allege that she handed off a small bag of cocaine after being interviewed by the police on the day of the shooting, raising concerns about her sobriety. Witnesses reported her smoking marijuana during the filming, further questioning her attentiveness to safety protocols.
Gutierrez-Reed's defense maintains her innocence, arguing that she is being unfairly targeted. The district attorney who initially filed charges highlighted the lack of safety standards on the set, including the presence of live rounds mixed with dummy rounds, ultimately leading to the fatal shooting.
Experts in the industry have criticized the assignment of additional duties to Gutierrez-Reed, such as handling props, alongside her armorer role. They stress the importance of dedicated personnel solely focused on weapon safety on a movie set to prevent such tragic incidents.
As the trial unfolds, the defense is expected to address the challenges posed by Gutierrez-Reed's multiple responsibilities and refute the allegations of negligence. The case continues to shed light on the complexities of ensuring safety on film sets and the accountability of individuals in preventing such devastating accidents.
