Trial Begins for Armorer 'Scapegoat' Who Loaded Gun in Alec Baldwin Shooting
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed faces involuntary manslaughter charge for "Rust" movie rehearsal scene that ended with the death of Halyna Hutchins
The armorer who loaded the gun that Alec Baldwin fired and killed the movie’s cinematographer is standing trial in New Mexico on involuntary manslaughter charges. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed faces up to 18 months in prison for unknowingly putting real ammunition in the revolver.
Click here to read all my reporting about this case since Oct. 2021.
Scapegoat or Unprofessional?
Defense attorney Jason Bowles told the jury in his opening statement that Rust's production and the state “have sought to make Hannah Gutierrez-Reed a scapegoat.” He emphasized that “just because there was a tragedy does not mean a crime was committed.”
Baldwin shot cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and director Joel Souza. Hutchins died from her wounds.
Special prosecutor Jason Lewis told the jury that Gutierrez-Reed was “unprofessional” and failed to follow safety protocols. He said the evidence would show that six rounds of live ammunition were found on the set, one of which was in the gun Baldwin had during the rehearsal scene.
“They’re trying to blame it all on Hannah. She’s an easy target. She’s the least powerful person on that set.”
Lewis said Gutierrez-Reed did “a sloppy and incomplete safety check” of the rounds loaded in Baldwin’s gun. He said she was supposed to check that the gun was loaded with “appropriate blank or dummy rounds and not live ammunition.”
Overworked or Sloppy?
Bowles pointed out that Gutierrez-Reed, then 24, had two jobs on set as both armorer and props assistant for the movie. He said she asked her boss for more time to do her armorer duties and to train Baldwin but was denied.
Lewis said the protocol was to do a second safety check with the assistant director Dave Halls, but they only “cracked” open the gun and quickly spun it around without taking out each round. However, Bowles said Halls will testify that Gutierrez-Reed did a good job in her role.
Both sides in the case gave hypotheses about how the live rounds got on set. The prosecution blamed Gutierrez-Reed, and the defense blamed the props supplier.
“They’re trying to blame it all on Hannah. She’s an easy target. She’s the least powerful person on that set,” said Bowles.
Gutierrez-Reed did “a sloppy and incomplete safety check”
Baldwin Breaks Gun Safety Rules
Everyone agrees that Baldwin did not follow the basic gun safety rules that apply in Hollywood and everywhere else in society. The state did not mention Baldwin’s responsibility in the case.
Baldwin’s trial is likely to be scheduled for June or July, according to a judge at a recent hearing.
Bowles said that Baldwin “one of the lead producers and lead actor violated the basic gun safety rules.” He said that in Hollywood and throughout society, you never point a gun at someone. You treat all guns as loaded. You never put your finger on the trigger until you’re ready to shoot.
Baldwin denied that he pulled the trigger, even though the FBI forensics report said he did.
The judge said the trial is expected to go through March 8.
Do you think Hannah is a scapegoat or to blame?
Feel free to ask me anything about this case and the trial so far in the comments!
I'm currently watching the trial live on Court TV’s YouTube channel, and you can join me here:
She's totally a scapegoat!! The FBI had already cleared her, and if Baldwin hadn't been a big name, it would have been over.
Show me the evidence where Hannah is actually responsible? She wanted more time with armorer duties and to review the safety procedures with Baldwin and was refused. Show me that Hannah actually loaded the weapon with a live round knowingly. Show me that the chain of custody of the weapon from the security container, to Hannah, to the director, to Baldwin has no chinks in it. Show me the roster of who was allowed to access the weapon. I believe reasonable doubt exists that Hannah should be convicted of involuntary manslaughter. However, I have a feeling that the jury is easily swayed.