A judge upheld a manslaughter conviction against a movie gunsmith in the shooting death of a cinematographer by Alec Baldwin.
Gunsmith Hannah Gutierrez-Reed asked a New Mexico court to throw out her conviction or hold a new trial, claiming prosecutors failed to share evidence that could have acquitted her in the shooting on the set of the western film ‘Rust.’
But Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer in her written order noted that Gutierrez-Reed’s attorneys did not establish that there was a reasonable possibility that the outcome of the trial would have been different if the evidence had been available to her.
The judge also denied a request by Gutierrez-Reed to be released, saying it was moot because her request for a new trial was denied.
Marlow Sommer stopped and ended Baldwin’s trial in July over police and prosecutor misconduct and his withholding of evidence from the defense in the 2021 shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set outside of Santa Fe.
A judge upheld a manslaughter conviction against film gunner Hannah Gutierrez-Reed (center) in the shooting death of a cinematographer by Alec Baldwin.
‘Rust’ film set gunsmith Hannah Gutiérrez-Reed poses for a mugshot after being convicted of involuntary manslaughter
Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins died after being hit by a bullet from Baldwin’s prop gun on the set of Rust in October 2021.
Baldwin, the lead actor and co-producer of ‘Rust,’ was pointing a gun at Hutchins during a rehearsal on a film set outside Santa Fe when the revolver went off, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza.
A jury convicted Gutierrez-Reed of involuntary manslaughter in March in a trial overseen by Marlowe Sommer, who later sentenced her to the maximum sentence of 18 months.
Gutiérrez-Reed has an appeal of the conviction pending in a higher court. Jurors acquitted her of accusations that she tampered with evidence in the ‘Rust’ investigation.
Prosecutors blamed Gutierrez-Reed for unintentionally bringing live ammunition to the set of ‘Rust’ and for failing to follow basic gun safety protocols.
Evidence that Gutierrez-Reed’s attorneys said prosecutors did not share included a firearms expert’s report on the functionality of the gun Baldwin used, ammunition that was later turned over to authorities and an interview with the ammunition supplier. from ‘Rust’, Seth Kenney.
Defense attorneys did not immediately respond Monday to an email requesting comment on the judge’s decision.
Gutierrez-Reed pleaded not guilty to a separate felony charge for allegedly carrying a gun into a bar in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where firearms are prohibited.
A proposed plea deal is pending judicial review.
Gutierrez-Reed is currently serving his sentence at the Santa Fe County Adult Detention Center.
Baldwin, seen here outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s offices on the day of the shooting, has had charges filed against him twice.
This aerial photo shows the filming set of “Rust” at Bonanza Creek Ranch on October 23, 2021.
Alec Baldwin broke down in tears and hugged his wife Hilaria when his manslaughter case was sensationally dismissed in July.
Meanwhile, Baldwin had his involuntary manslaughter case dismissed in July.
The court judge in Santa Fe, New Mexico, said at the time that the prosecution had made errors in its handling of evidence, which she said “affected the fundamental fairness of the case.”
The decision came after a daylong hearing with no jury present over bullets that should have been in evidence, which Baldwin’s lawyers said were “hidden” and “buried” in another case file.
The issue had upended the trial of Baldwin, who pleaded not guilty to two counts of involuntary manslaughter while charged with negligence.
