Weapons supervisor pleads not responsible in ‘Rust’ taking pictures case

A weapons supervisor charged with a felony for her alleged position within the taking pictures loss of life of a cinematographer on the set of a Western film pleaded not responsible throughout her first formal courtroom look Friday.

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed and Alec Baldwin have been charged final month with felony involuntary manslaughter within the taking pictures loss of life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who died shortly after being wounded throughout rehearsals at a ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe in October 2021.

A New Mexico choose set situations of launch that allowed Gutierrez-Reed to maintain a gun at house for self-defense. Her legal professional advised the choose his shopper has acquired quite a few threats and was compelled to file for a restraining order in opposition to a stalker. He stated authorities launched paperwork associated to the case and did not redact figuring out data that included cellphone numbers.

District Lawyer Mary Carmack-Altwies advised the choose she adamantly opposed the request due to Gutierrez-Reed’s “sloppy mishandling of firearms and weapons” on the set. She recommended Gutierrez-Reed might both transfer or preserve a bat or pepper spray in her home as an alternative.

Gutierrez-Reed’s legal professional, Jason Bowles, challenged the district legal professional’s characterization and disputed the declare about sloppiness.

“There is no such thing as a allegation that she is a hazard to anybody having a firearm inside her house and it’s for self-protection due to actions that the state took in releasing non-public data. That’s the reason for that request,” he stated.

Along with permitting Gutierrez-Reed to have a gun at house, the choose ordered her to not have any contact with witnesses who would possibly testify as a part of the case.

A day earlier Baldwin agreed to forgo a listening to to have his rights defined to him and entered a plea of not responsible.

The choose allowed Baldwin to have restricted contact with potential witnesses in reference to plans to finish the filming of “Rust.” Different provisions included a prohibition on consuming alcohol and in opposition to any possession of weapons, together with firearms.

Work on “Rust” was halted with Hutchins’ loss of life. Rust Film Productions says filming is anticipated to renew this spring, with out the usage of actual weapons or ammunition.

The involuntary manslaughter fees in opposition to Baldwin, a lead actor and co-producer on “Rust,” and Gutierrez-Reed, the movie’s armor, are punishable by as much as 18 months in jail and a $5,000 high-quality below New Mexico regulation.

Prosecutors and protection attorneys are making ready for a probable preliminary listening to inside a number of months to find out whether or not there’s enough proof to proceed to trial.

Authorities stated Baldwin was pointing a pistol at Hutchins when the gun went off, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza.

Baldwin’s legal professional Luke Nikas stated when the fees have been introduced that they have been “a horrible miscarriage of justice.” He stated Baldwin relied on the professionals with whom he labored and “had no motive to consider there was a dwell bullet within the gun.”

Bowles had stated the fees have been the results of “a really flawed investigation and an inaccurate understanding of the complete info.” He stated he believed jurors will exonerate his shopper.

Prosecutors say assistant director David Halls, who oversaw security on set, has signed an settlement to plead responsible within the negligent use of a lethal weapon, explaining that he might have dealt with the gun improperly earlier than it was given to Baldwin.

A choose is scheduled to contemplate approval of the plea settlement in March. Halls waived his first look in courtroom.