Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the 26-year-old armorer on the set of the movie “Rust,” faces up to 18 months in prison following her conviction for involuntary manslaughter in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Gutierrez-Reed’s family vehemently maintains her innocence and has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for her appeal.
GoFundMe Aims to Raise $100,000 for Appeal Costs
The GoFundMe campaign, spearheaded by Gutierrez-Reed’s father, Thell Reed, a veteran armorer himself, seeks to raise $100,000 to cover the legal expenses associated with the appeal process. The campaign description criticizes the investigation conducted by New Mexico authorities, claiming it was “botched” and “biased” against Gutierrez-Reed.
Appeal Argues for Fair Trial, Blames Producers for Safety Lapses
The Reeds argue that their daughter was made a scapegoat for broader safety issues plaguing the low-budget production. They assert that official Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports point to unsafe practices and a culture of lax safety protocols on the “Rust” set, placing responsibility on the film’s producers.
The Fatal Shooting on the Set of “Rust”
On October 21, 2021, tragedy struck the set of the Western film “Rust” when a prop gun discharged a live round, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. The gun was being handled by actor Alec Baldwin during a rehearsal scene.
Dueling Theories on Responsibility for the Shooting
Prosecutors argued that Gutierrez-Reed, who believed she loaded the gun with blank rounds, exhibited negligence in handling firearms and ammunition. The defense countered that Gutierrez-Reed was not solely responsible and pointed to a lack of communication and established safety protocols on set.
Alec Baldwin Faces Separate Involuntary Manslaughter Charges
Baldwin, a producer on the film as well as the actor who fired the gun, is scheduled to go to trial in July on his own involuntary manslaughter charges. He has pleaded not guilty.
Seeking Leniency at Sentencing
Gutierrez-Reed’s legal team filed a sentencing memo highlighting the emotional toll the incident has taken on the young armorer. The memo details her struggles with anxiety, fear, and depression since the shooting and her ongoing mental health treatment.
Letters of Support from Prominent Figures
In a show of support, several prominent figures have submitted letters to the judge on Gutierrez-Reed’s behalf, including Edward Romero, a former ambassador to Spain, and Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown.
Can Hannah Gutierrez-Reed Win Her Appeal?
The success of Gutierrez-Reed’s appeal hinges on her legal team’s ability to demonstrate that the trial was unfair or that there were significant errors in the legal proceedings. They will likely focus on the arguments outlined above, emphasizing the alleged shortcomings of the investigation and the role of the film’s producers in creating an unsafe environment.
Understanding the Case
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the set of “Rust,” faces involuntary manslaughter charges following the accidental shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The incident occurred when a prop firearm handled by actor Alec Baldwin discharged, resulting in Hutchins’ death and injuries to director Joel Souza.
The Legal Battle
As Gutierrez-Reed awaits sentencing, her family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover the costs of an appeal. Despite maintaining that she believed she loaded Baldwin’s gun with inert rounds, prosecutors argued her negligence in handling firearms contributed to the tragedy.
Challenges and Controversies
Throughout the trial, Gutierrez-Reed’s defense portrayed her as a scapegoat for broader safety lapses on the set. They highlighted deficiencies in safety protocols and pointed fingers at Baldwin and other producers. However, prosecutors singled her out as the primary responsible party.
