The trial of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the weapons handler on the set of the movie “Rust,” began with intense scrutiny over the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Prosecutors painted Gutierrez-Reed as negligent, arguing that her carelessness in handling firearms led to the fatal incident.
They highlighted instances of unprofessional behavior, alleging that she left guns and ammunition unattended and disorganized on set, ultimately allowing live ammunition to mix with dummy rounds, describing her act as “sloppy”.
Emotional footage from the aftermath of the shooting was presented to the jury, capturing the chaos and desperation as paramedics tried to save Hutchins’ life.
Prosecutors displayed boxes of ammunition found on set, containing both live and dummy rounds, suggesting Gutierrez-Reed had brought live ammunition from her home to the set, including the fatal bullet.
In contrast, Gutierrez-Reed’s defense placed the blame squarely on actor Alec Baldwin, emphasizing his failure to adhere to basic firearm safety protocols.
They argued that Baldwin’s actions, including either pulling the trigger or having his finger on it while handling the gun, were the catalyst for the tragedy. The defense also pointed out previous “negligent discharges” on set, suggesting that the production prioritized speed and profit over safety.
Attorney Jason Bowles, representing Gutierrez-Reed, portrayed her as a convenient scapegoat, asserting that she was the least powerful person on set and unfairly targeted for the incident. He implied that the film’s producers, including Baldwin, were more concerned with efficiency than safety.
Baldwin himself faces charges of involuntary manslaughter, to which he entered a guilty plea in January. The trial has yet to be scheduled, and it remains uncertain whether he will testify in Gutierrez-Reed’s case.
As the trial unfolds, the central question remains: who bears the ultimate responsibility for the tragic death of Halyna Hutchins on the set of “Rust”?
