In the wake of the tragic on-set shooting during the production of the film “Rust,” prosecutors are urging for the maximum penalty for Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the armorer responsible for the firearm safety on the set. Reed, 26, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in March following the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was fatally wounded when a prop gun held by actor Alec Baldwin discharged a live round.
The New Mexico prosecutors have filed for an 18-month prison sentence, which represents the upper limit for the involuntary manslaughter charge. In addition to incarceration, Reed also faces the possibility of a $5,000 fine. Not only are prosecutors seeking the full sentence, but they have also asked the judge to consider Reed’s conviction as a serious violent offense, which would restrict the reduction of her sentence due to good behavior.
The push for the maximum sentence is deeply rooted in what the prosecutors describe as Reed’s “complete and total failure to accept responsibility for her actions.” This strong stance is bolstered by evidence from jailhouse phone calls where Reed appears to deflect blame, referring to the set medic and paramedics as responsible for Hutchins’ death, while also alleging that the judge and prosecutor’s office were conspiring against her.
These comments have cast a shadow over Reed’s expressions of remorse. Although her defense has included letters from friends suggesting she feels genuine contrition for the incident and her attorneys have requested a conditional discharge citing her lack of prior criminal history, the prosecution’s documentation paints a different picture. According to the filings, she called the jurors “idiots” and accused the judge of being “paid off.”
The severity of the punishment prosecutors are aiming for reflects their view on the gravity of the negligence that occurred on the “Rust” set. The prosecution has noted that Reed repeatedly violated safety protocols and exhibited negligence, which they argue led to Hutchins’ death. Reed was also described by colleagues as “sloppy” and “unprofessional,” with a habit of leaving firearms and ammunition unsecured on set.
Alec Baldwin, who was rehearsing with the gun during the shooting, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter. He has pleaded not guilty and will stand trial later this year. Baldwin’s legal team has recently asked for his indictment to be dismissed, but the judge has not yet responded.
Reed’s sentencing is scheduled for Monday, and she has been held at the Santa Fe County Adult Detention Facility since March 6. She also has an outstanding charge of unlawfully carrying a firearm in a licensed liquor establishment.
Relevant articles:
– Prosecutors ask ‘Rust’ movie armorer be sentenced to maximum sentence of 18 months in prison | CNN
– ‘Rust’ Prosecutors Say Armorer’s Jail Calls Show No ‘Genuine Remorse’, The Daily Beast, Sat, 13 Apr 2024 18:16:44 GMT
– Prosecutors seek maximum penalty for ‘Rust’ armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed after prop gun death, The Independent, Sat, 13 Apr 2024 16:26:15 GMT
– Prosecutors seek maximum penalty for ‘Rust’ armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed after prop gun death, Yahoo Singapore News, Sat, 13 Apr 2024 13:18:20 GMT