The legal drama surrounding the fatal shooting on the set of the film “Rust” continues to unfold, with prosecutors now seeking to compel the film’s former armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, to testify against actor Alec Baldwin in his upcoming trial. This surprising development was first revealed by Gutierrez-Reed’s attorney, Jason Bowles, at the 2024 CrimeCon in Nashville.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, center, confers with her attorney, Jason Bowles, right, during her involuntary manslaughter trial in Santa Fe, NM. (Jim Weber/Santa Fe New Mexican via AP, Pool)
New Mexico special prosecutors have filed a motion to grant Gutierrez-Reed immunity in exchange for her testimony, a move deemed “shocking” by Bowles. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for June 21st before Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer. This legal maneuvering comes after Gutierrez-Reed was sentenced to 18 months for involuntary manslaughter in connection with the shooting, which tragically killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza.
The Prosecution’s Strategy
The prosecution’s motion suggests Gutierrez-Reed’s testimony could be pivotal in their case against Baldwin. They argue her firsthand account could provide crucial insights into the events leading up to the shooting. Specifically, they expect her to testify about Baldwin’s alleged disregard for firearms safety, including “emotional fits” during rehearsals, breaking gun safety protocols like cocking and pulling the trigger, and demanding a real gun instead of an inert one.
The Defense’s Perspective
Baldwin has consistently maintained his innocence, claiming he was handed a “prop gun” with dummy rounds and that he only pulled back the hammer, not the trigger. His defense team has accused the prosecution of unfairly targeting him due to his celebrity status.
Court TV hosts The Rust Movie Shooting panel at CrimeCon 2024Court TV’s Julie Grant and Matt Johnson discuss the Rust shooting with Jason Bowles and armorer Dutch Merrick at CrimeCon 2024. (Court TV)
Bowles further revealed at CrimeCon that he and Baldwin’s defense team are preparing a motion accusing the prosecution of withholding crucial evidence. This revolves around reloaded live rounds from the same batch that were provided to the “Rust” set by Seth Kenney, a New Mexico-based weapons and ammunition supplier. Kenney testified in Gutierrez-Reed’s trial that he had never sent live ammunition to the “Rust” set, despite using live rounds in training on another film set.
The Missing Ammunition
Bowles contends that Troy Teske, an officer in Bullhead City, Arizona, and a friend of Gutierrez-Reed’s stepfather, Thell Reed, recovered these reloaded rounds. Teske reportedly turned them over to the sheriff after Gutierrez-Reed’s trial. Bowles argues that testing these rounds could potentially link them to the live round that killed Hutchins and shed light on their origin.
Alec Baldwin, in costume, fires a gun as he exits a churchAlec Baldwin fires a gun on the set of “Rust”. (Court Filing)
The Immunity Deal
While Gutierrez-Reed was acquitted of tampering with evidence, she still faces a pending gun case. Prosecutors are offering her immunity solely for her testimony in Baldwin’s trial, meaning it cannot be used against her in future proceedings. However, the implications of her compelled testimony for both her own case and Baldwin’s remain uncertain.
A Complicated Legal Landscape
The “Rust” shooting case presents a complex legal puzzle. The prosecution’s pursuit of Gutierrez-Reed’s testimony, coupled with the defense’s accusations of withheld evidence, adds another layer of intrigue. The upcoming hearing on June 21st will be crucial in determining the course of Baldwin’s trial and the ultimate pursuit of justice in this tragic case.
Key Questions Remain
Several key questions loom large: Will Gutierrez-Reed’s testimony incriminate or exonerate Baldwin? Will the allegedly withheld evidence significantly impact the case? And how will these legal maneuvers shape the narrative of the “Rust” tragedy as it continues to unfold in the courtroom?
The answers to these questions will undoubtedly shape the future of this high-profile case and could have lasting implications for film set safety and legal accountability within the entertainment industry.
The Search for Truth
As the “Rust” case progresses, the pursuit of truth remains paramount. The legal battles, the testimonies, and the evidence presented will ultimately determine the course of justice and offer a semblance of closure to those affected by this tragic incident.
Awaiting the Verdict
The legal community and the public alike await the outcome of Baldwin’s trial with bated breath. The complexities of the case, coupled with the high-profile nature of the individuals involved, ensure that the “Rust” shooting will continue to be a subject of intense scrutiny and debate.
