Legal battle over ‘Rust’ shooting: Armorer’s appeal denied

Court upholds conviction in ‘Rust’ shooting case

In a significant legal development, the court has denied the appeal of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer for the film Rust, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter following the tragic shooting death of the movie’s cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins. The decision, rendered by Santa Fe Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer, maintains the guilty verdict and denies Gutierrez-Reed a new trial.

The ammunition controversy

Central to Gutierrez-Reed’s appeal was the argument that prosecutors had suppressed critical evidence related to a batch of ammunition. This ammunition, some of which matched the live rounds found on the Rust set, was allegedly not disclosed to the defense in a timely manner. However, the court found that this evidence was indeed available to Gutierrez-Reed’s legal team before and during the trial.

Judge Sommer stated, “The ammunition and the individual who provided it were accessible to the defense, yet they chose not to present this evidence.” This decision underscores the court’s stance that the defense had ample opportunity to introduce the ammunition but opted against it.

Defense strategy and prosecution conduct

Gutierrez-Reed’s lawyer, Jason Bowles, had previously expressed concerns about becoming entangled in the “chain of custody” for the evidence. He feared allegations of tampering if he introduced the rounds. Bowles also suggested that if he had been aware of the rounds earlier, he would have argued that Seth Kenney, the owner of the props and arms supplier for the Rust production, might have introduced the live bullets onto the set.

Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey countered these claims, asserting that she only became aware of the similarity between the Teske-supplied ammunition and the rounds found on the set during open court proceedings. Morrissey questioned the integrity of the evidence provided by Troy Teske, a retired Arizona police officer and friend of Gutierrez-Reed. She noted that a photograph sent by Teske to Kenney showed that the ammunition in his possession did not match the rounds found on the set.

Technical analysis of the firearm

Another point of contention was the late disclosure of a supplemental report on the functionality of the firearm that discharged the fatal shot. While the prosecution admitted to not informing the defense of this report in a timely manner, the court concluded that this oversight did not warrant a dismissal of the charges or a new trial. Judge Sommer found that the report, although favorable to Gutierrez-Reed, would not have likely altered the jury’s verdict.

Sentencing and reflections

In April, Gutierrez-Reed was sentenced to 18 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter. Judge Sommer emphasized the severity of the sentence, citing Gutierrez-Reed’s lack of remorse as a significant factor. “You were the armorer, the one responsible for ensuring the safety of the weapons on set. Your actions directly led to the death of Ms. Hutchins,” Sommer stated.

The judge’s remarks highlighted the gravity of the armorer’s role in maintaining safety on film sets. The tragic incident on the Rust set has sparked widespread discussions about safety protocols in the film industry, emphasizing the need for stringent measures to prevent such accidents in the future.

Industry implications

The Rust shooting incident has had profound implications for the film industry, prompting a reevaluation of safety standards and protocols. Industry experts have called for more rigorous training and certification for armorers and stricter oversight of on-set safety practices. The case has also underscored the importance of transparency and accountability in legal proceedings related to workplace safety.

Final thoughts

The court’s decision to uphold Gutierrez-Reed’s conviction serves as a stark reminder of the critical responsibilities borne by those handling firearms on film sets. As the industry continues to grapple with the aftermath of the Rust tragedy, it is imperative to implement robust safety measures to protect all individuals involved in film production.

Did you enjoy this article? Share it on your social channels and let us know your thoughts! Don’t miss out on the latest updates! Follow us on social media to stay informed about the newest releases.