An attorney representing Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the armorer for the movie 'Rust' who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, has filed a motion for a new trial or to have her case thrown out. This comes after the case against actor Alec Baldwin was dismissed last week due to prosecutorial misconduct and discovery violations.
The motion, filed in Santa Fe First Judicial District Court, alleges egregious prosecutorial misconduct and severe discovery violations by the State. Gutierrez Reed's attorneys are seeking her release from prison and the removal of the special prosecutor due to the misconduct and violations in her case.
Legal experts suggest that the dismissal of Baldwin's case could lead to Gutierrez Reed being freed from prison. Her attorney cited similar failures in evidence disclosure that led to the dismissal of Baldwin's charges.
The fatal shooting occurred on October 21, 2021, during the filming of 'Rust' when a prop gun fired a live round, killing Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. Gutierrez Reed, as the armorer, was responsible for firearm safety and storage. Prosecutors argued that she failed to follow safety protocols, leading to the tragic incident.
Baldwin's trial was halted after it was revealed that prosecutors had withheld evidence, violating the Brady rule. The judge dismissed the case with prejudice, preventing it from being brought again. Legal experts anticipate Gutierrez Reed making a similar argument for her conviction to be overturned based on the withheld evidence.
Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani believes that the newly disclosed evidence could further exonerate Gutierrez Reed. He predicts that she may also be freed as a result of the case dismissal, along with Baldwin.
The developments in both cases have raised questions about accountability and safety on film sets, highlighting the need for stricter protocols and oversight to prevent such tragedies in the future.
