We're following breaking news right now. A jury has just announced a verdict in the trial of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the set of the ill-fated Alec Baldwin film, Rust. The jury deliberated for about two and a half hours today after closing arguments, ultimately rendering a verdict just moments ago. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. She was acquitted on charges of evidence tampering. She faces up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, as the armorer on the set of the movie when cinematographer Helena Hutchins was killed, was deemed negligent in her duties by the prosecutors. The defense argued that the production company and Alec Baldwin were to blame. The jury found her guilty based on the jury instructions that highlighted her failure to inspect the bullets properly before handing the gun over.
The fast verdict is significant as it holds someone legally responsible for Helena Hutchins' death. This outcome could impact Alec Baldwin's upcoming trial, scheduled for July 9th. The defense may argue that the presence of a real bullet in the gun was not foreseeable, especially given the armorer's role in firearm safety.
The prosecution's statements during closing arguments in Hannah Gutierrez-Reed's trial, mentioning the expectation of actors mishandling firearms, could pose challenges for the prosecution in Alec Baldwin's trial. The verdict in Gutierrez-Reed's case sets a precedent for Baldwin's defense regarding foreseeability and responsibility in the tragic incident on the Rust set.
