Shooting due to rust: armaments chief Hannah Gutierrez-Reid pleads not guilty

The weapons inspector, charged with a felony for her alleged role in the murder of a cinematographer on the set of a western, pleaded not guilty during her first formal court appearance on Friday.

Last month, Hannah Gutierrez-Reid and Alec Baldwin were charged with manslaughter in the shooting of cinematographer Halina Hutchins, who died shortly after being shot while rehearsing at a ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe in October 2021.

A New Mexico judge set conditions for release that allowed Gutierrez-Reid to keep a weapon in his home for self-defense. Her lawyer told the judge that his client had received numerous threats and was forced to file for a restraining order against the stalker. He said authorities released documents related to the case and did not redact identifying information, which included phone numbers.

District Attorney Mary Carmack-Oltwis told the judge that she strongly objected to the request due to Gutierrez-Reed’s “careless handling of firearms and firearms” on set. She suggested that Gutierrez-Reid either move in or keep a bat or pepper spray in the house.

Gutierrez-Reid’s lawyer, Jason Bowles, challenged the district attorney’s characterization and contested the allegation of negligence.

“There is no allegation that she is a danger to anyone with a firearm in her home and this is in self-defense due to the actions the state has taken to release private information. This is the reason for this request,” he said.

In addition to allowing Gutierrez-Rid to have a weapon at home, the judge ordered her not to make contact with witnesses who might testify in the case.

A day earlier, Baldwin had agreed to waive the hearing to have his rights explained to him and pleaded not guilty.

The judge allowed Baldwin to have limited contact with potential witnesses due to plans to wrap up Rust. Other provisions included a ban on the consumption of alcohol and any possession of weapons, including firearms.

Work on “Rust” was halted with Hutchins’ death. Rust Movie Productions says filming will resume this spring without the use of real guns or ammo.

Manslaughter charges against Rust’s lead actor and co-producer Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed, the film’s armor, are punishable by up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine under New Mexico law.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys are preparing for a likely preliminary hearing within months to determine if there is enough evidence to start a trial.

Authorities said Baldwin pointed a gun at Hutchins when the gun went off, killing her and injuring director Joel Souza.

Baldwin’s lawyer, Luke Nikas, said when the charges were announced they were “a terrible miscarriage of justice”. He said that Baldwin relied on the professionals he worked with and “had no reason to believe that the gun contained a live bullet”.

Bowles said the allegations were the result of a “very flawed investigation and inaccurate understanding of all the facts”. He said he believed the jury would exonerate his client.

Prosecutors say assistant director David Halls, who oversaw safety on set, signed a plea agreement for negligent use of a deadly weapon, explaining that he may have mishandled the weapon before it was handed over to Baldwin. .

The judge is due to consider approving the plea agreement in March. Halls withdrew from his first court appearance.

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