Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the movie weapons supervisor for the Western film “Rust,” is facing up to 18 months in prison for her role in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins by actor Alec Baldwin on the movie set. Gutierrez-Reed was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in March and is scheduled to be sentenced on Monday in a New Mexico state court.
The tragic incident occurred when Baldwin, the lead actor and co-producer of “Rust,” was pointing a gun at Hutchins, and the revolver discharged, killing Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. Baldwin has pleaded not guilty to an involuntary manslaughter charge, claiming that he pulled back the gun’s hammer but did not pull the trigger.
During the trial, prosecutors argued that Gutierrez-Reed was responsible for bringing live ammunition onto the set, where it was strictly prohibited, and for not following basic gun safety protocols. The jury deliberated for about three hours before reaching a guilty verdict.
Gutierrez-Reed’s defense attorneys have requested leniency in sentencing, citing her young age and the potential negative impact a felony conviction could have on her life. They argue that the intense publicity surrounding her prosecution alongside a high-profile actor has already taken a toll on her mental health, causing anxiety, fear, and depression.
On the other hand, special prosecutor Kari Morrissey has urged the judge to impose the maximum prison sentence and label Gutierrez-Reed as a “serious violent offender,” which would limit her eligibility for a sentence reduction in the future.
The prosecutor described Gutierrez-Reed’s behavior on the set of “Rust” as exceptionally reckless and noted her apparent lack of remorse based on monitored phone calls from jail.
Several individuals connected to the “Rust” production have faced legal consequences. Assistant director and safety coordinator Dave Halls pleaded no contest to negligent handling of a firearm and completed six months of unsupervised probation. Props master Sarah Zachry, who shared some responsibilities over firearms on set, signed an agreement with prosecutors to avoid prosecution in exchange for her cooperation.
Gutierrez-Reed also faces a separate felony charge for allegedly carrying a firearm into a bar in Santa Fe before being hired as the armorer for “Rust.” Her defense attorneys claim this charge is a result of vindictive prosecution, while prosecutors say it was discovered during investigations into the fatal shooting.
As the sentencing approaches, the judge will consider written testimonials from Gutierrez-Reed’s friends and former colleagues, urging for leniency and emphasizing rehabilitation over punishment.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.