Rust armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed sobs as she’s jailed over Alec Baldwin’s fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins
RUST armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed sobbed as she was jailed for 18 months over the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Gutierrez-Reed, 26, wiped away tears as she was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter after Hutchins, 42, was shot dead in 2021 when actor Alec Baldwin fired a prop gun with live ammunition.
Baldwin, 66, fired the loaded prop gun from point blank range during a rehearsal on the set of Western blockbuster Rust - killing Hutchins.
Gutierrez-Reed had mistakenly loaded a live round into an imitation Colt .45 revolver, which was then handed to Baldwin - who could also face time behind bars.
In March, a court jury concluded Gutierrez-Reed negligently allowed the live ammunition on set.
Gutierrez-Reed's 10-day trial heard how she was ultimately responsible for having six live rounds on the film set in New Mexico - in clear violation of movie industry practices.
Prosecutor Kari T Morrissey branded Gutierrez-Reed "careless" and "thoughtless" for failing to notice live bullets mixed with dummys in an ammo box.
She said the armourer, who has never apologised for the death of Ms Hutchins, showed no remorse throughout the trial.
In her closing argument, Ms Morrissey added: "This case is about constant, never-ending safety failures that resulted in the death of a human being."
The trial also heard how she repeatedly failed to follow basic safety rules.
She left guns unattended and let actors - including Baldwin - wave weapons around, the court heard.
Gutierrez-Reed was found not guilty of evidence tampering stemming from accusations that she attempted to dispose of a small bag of narcotics after the shooting.
Baldwin was also charged with involuntary manslaughter in January 2023 - but the charges were dropped three months later.
The actor, however, was charged again in January this year with the same crime and will face trial in July.
He could face the same sentence as Reed, who pleaded guilty before her conviction.
If convicted, he also faces 18 months in prison.
Baldwin denies the charges and his defence team has attempted to dismiss the case.
Following Gutierrez-Reed's conviction, Hutchin's family lawyers said her parents and sister "have always wanted everyone who is responsible for Halyna’s death to be held accountable".
They said Baldwin would scream on-site, which contributed to safety issues throughout production.
And the prosecution claim that several of the defence team's points during an April meeting were "false or misleading".
Director-writer Joel Souza was also shot on the New Mexico set, but survived.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Dave Halls, the film's safety coordinator and assistant director - who handed Baldwin the loaded gun - agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors last year.
He was sentenced to six months' probation.
Timeline of events around the fatal shooting
HALYNA Hutchins was killed on the set of Western blockbuster 'Rust' - here is a timeline of key events surrounding the tragedy.
October 6, 2021 - Production on Rust begins in Sante Fe, New Mexico
October 21, 2021 - Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins is shot and killed by a prop gun that actor Alec Baldwin was rehearsing with
Nov 17, 2021 - The script supervisor files a lawsuit accusing Baldwin of 'playing Russian roulette' by pointing revolver at Hutchins
Dec 2, 2021 - Baldwin speaks out and denies pulling the trigger and said he has 'no idea' why live rounds where on set
Jan 12, 2022 - Armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed files a lawsuit against the ammunition box manufacturer for 'failing to state the boxes contained both live and dummy rounds'
Feb 15, 2922 - Hutchins' family files wrongful death suit against Rust's producers
April 20, 2022 - Rust production fined over failures that led to
October 6, 2021 - Production on Rust begins in Sante Fe, New Mexico
October 21, 2021 - Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins is shot and killed by a prop gun that actor Alec Baldwin was rehearsing with
Nov 17, 2021 - The script supervisor files a lawsuit accusing Baldwin of 'playing Russian roulette' by pointing revolver at Hutchins
Dec 2, 2021 - Baldwin speaks out and denies pulling the trigger and said he has 'no idea' why live rounds where on set
Jan 12, 2022 - Armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed files a lawsuit against the ammunition box manufacturer for 'failing to state the boxes contained both live and dummy rounds'
Feb 15, 2922 - Hutchins' family files wrongful death suit against Rust's producers
April 20, 2022 - Rust production fined over failures that led to 'avoidable death'
October 5, 2022 - Hutchins' family reach settlement with production company and Baldwin
Nov 11, 2022 - Baldwin files lawsuit alleging negligence of several crew members
Jan 31, 2023 - Involuntary manslaughter charges announced against Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed
Feb 23, 2023 - Baldwin pleads not guilty
March 31, 2023 - David Hall, Rust's first assistant director, sentenced to six months probation after pleaded guilty for unsafe handling of a firearm
April 20, 2023 - Manslaughter charges against Baldwin dropped
June 22, 2023 - Gutierrez-Reed additionally charged with tampering with evidence
August 9, 2023 - The armourer pleads not guilty
Jan 19, 2024 - Baldwin indicted by grand jury again for manslaughter
Jan 31, 2024 - Baldwin again pleads not guilty
March 7, 2024 - Gutierrez-Reed found guilty of involuntary manslaughter