Gutierrez-Reed, convicted in March of involuntary manslaughter in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, awaits sentencing. She has been detained at a county jail near Santa Fe since her conviction.
Alec Baldwin, the lead actor and co-producer of “Rust,” was reported to have been pointing a gun at Hutchins when the revolver discharged, fatally injuring Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. Baldwin pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter, claiming he had pulled back the gun’s hammer but not the trigger before the accident. His trial is scheduled for July, overseen by the same judge handling Gutierrez-Reed’s case.
Gutierrez-Reed may face an $5,000 fine along with her potential prison sentence. Prosecutors held her responsible, accusing her of violating fundamental gun safety protocols and bringing live ammunition onto the “Rust” set, where it was prohibited. The jury deliberated for nearly three hours before reaching a verdict.
Gutierrez-Reed’s defense team has requested a lenient sentence, possibly involving a conditional discharge that would avoid further jail time and keep her record clear if specific conditions are met. Testimonials from friends and her romantic partner highlighted her remorse and the impact of incarceration on her family responsibilities.
During her trial, Gutierrez-Reed was acquitted of charges related to tampering with evidence in the “Rust” investigation. She has also pleaded not guilty to a separate felony charge of carrying a firearm into a Santa Fe bar, where it is illegal to possess a firearm.
The defense emphasized the significant impact a felony conviction would have on her future life, considering her relatively young age.
However, special prosecutor Kari Morrissey urged the judge to impose the maximum sentence and designate Gutierrez-Reed as a “serious violent offender” to restrict her eligibility for sentence reduction, citing her recklessness and lack of remorse.
Assistant director and safety coordinator for “Rust,” Dave Halls, previously pleaded no contest to negligent firearm handling and completed a six-month unsupervised probation. “Rust” props master Sarah Zachry avoided prosecution through cooperation with prosecutors.
