Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer involved in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the “Rust” film set, admitted guilt on Monday for carrying a gun into a licensed liquor establishment. This plea resulted in a reduced sentence of 18 months of supervised probation. Judge T. Glenn Ellington approved the agreement, allowing her to begin probation while serving an 18-month prison term for involuntary manslaughter in Hutchins’ death at a New Mexico state penitentiary.
Prosecutors held Gutierrez-Reed responsible for bringing live ammunition onto the “Rust” set and neglecting basic gun safety protocols. On Monday, she appeared in a Santa Fe courtroom in a beige jumpsuit, handcuffed and shackled, to change her plea and waive her right to trial. She expressed remorse, apologising to the court and thanking the judge for the judgment.
Evidence revealed that weeks before “Rust” began filming in October 2021, Gutierrez-Reed carried a firearm into a prohibited downtown Santa Fe bar. Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey noted that Gutierrez-Reed recorded herself in the bar’s bathroom with the gun, a video uncovered during the “Rust” investigation.
“Rust” movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.
She was acquitted of allegedly transferring a “small bag of cocaine” to someone after a police interview.
She faces up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine.
pic.twitter.com/IutU5urvIX— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) March 6, 2024
In March, Gutierrez-Reed was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for Hutchins’ fatal shooting, a conviction she is currently appealing. During a rehearsal, lead actor and co-producer Alec Baldwin pointed a gun at Hutchins, which discharged, killing her and injuring director Joel Souza. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed the involuntary manslaughter case against Baldwin in July, citing withheld evidence by police and prosecutors. Morrissey has requested the judge to reconsider this decision.
Gutierrez-Reed’s plea agreement includes restrictions on firearm possession, alcohol and drug consumption, payment of $180 in fees, submission of a DNA sample to a criminal database, and completion of an addiction treatment program. Defense attorney Jason Bowles stated that this agreement allows her possible release from prison by June 2025 to complete probation in Arizona, avoiding an additional felony conviction.
What Other Media Are Saying
- US News reports Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the ‘Rust’ film armorer, pleads guilty to a gun charge, linked to a separate incident, amid ongoing manslaughter charges over Halyna Hutchins’ death.(read more)
- KTVZ reports Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the movie armorer on Alec Baldwin’s ‘Rust,’ pleaded guilty to carrying a gun into a Santa Fe bar, receiving 18 months supervised probation.(read more)
- ABC News reports that Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer for Alec Baldwin’s film ‘Rust,’ pleaded guilty to carrying a gun into a licensed liquor establishment, amidst serving her involuntary manslaughter sentence.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What did Hannah Gutierrez-Reed plead guilty to?
Carrying a gun into a licensed liquor establishment.
What is the consequence of Gutierrez-Reed’s guilty plea?
An 18-month supervised probation and prohibition from possessing firearms and consuming alcohol or drugs.
What was Hannah Gutierrez-Reed blamed for in the ‘Rust’ case?
Bringing live ammunition onto the set and failing to follow basic gun safety protocols.
Why was the involuntary manslaughter case against Alec Baldwin dismissed?
Due to the withholding of evidence by police and prosecutors from the defense.
What must Gutierrez-Reed complete as part of her probation terms?
Submit a DNA sample, pay $180 in fees, and complete an addiction treatment program.
