Judge Denies Hannah Gutierrez Reed’s Request for New Trial, Remains in Prison Ahead of Sentencing
A judge denied Hannah Gutierrez Reed’s request for a new trial on Friday, following her conviction for involuntary manslaughter in connection to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust.” Gutierrez Reed will also remain in prison ahead of her sentencing, despite plans to appeal the conviction.
Gutierrez Reed’s lawyer, Jason Bowles, argued that it was unfair for the armorer to potentially serve her whole sentence if it was going to be reversed on appeal. However, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer stated, “Keep in mind, there was a death that the jury determined was caused by her. So, I’m not releasing her.”
The trial, which began on February 21, included testimony from weapons experts, FBI and Santa Fe County authorities, and crew members who witnessed the fatal shooting. Gutierrez Reed was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter on March 6, with the prosecution focusing on her alleged failure to properly do her job as an armorer.
Alec Baldwin, who was holding the gun that fired and killed Hutchins, will head to court for his own involuntary manslaughter trial in July. Gutierrez Reed’s legal team argued that the jury instructions given during the trial could confuse the jury and lead to a non-unanimous verdict, but the judge disagreed, stating that the instructions were distinguishable from the cases brought forward by the defense.
The prosecution also argued that the jury instructions were not confusing or legally insufficient, citing a New Mexico Supreme Court ruling in their reply to the motion for a new trial.
Gutierrez Reed will remain in prison until her sentencing, with the judge denying her request for a new trial based on jury instruction error. The case continues to draw attention as the legal proceedings unfold.
