Hannah Gutierrez-Reed Appeals Manslaughter Conviction in 'Rust' Shooting Case

Rust Armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed Appeals Manslaughter Conviction

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Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, a rust armorer, is trying to appeal her conviction for involuntary manslaughter in the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, according to TMZ.

She was convicted on March 6 and given an 18-month prison sentence on April 15.

Her lawyers filed a motion to appeal the conviction on Monday, May 13, according to TMZ.

Gutierrez-Reed is also requesting to be released from prison pending the outcome of the appeal.

Ms. Gutierrez Reed's lawyers argued in a motion that she should be released while she appeals. They believe that if her appeal is successful, she will have already served most or all of her sentence, making a large part of the appeal unnecessary. TMZ reported this information, referencing court documents they had obtained.

Gutierrez-Reed was in charge of the firearms on the New Mexico set of the Western movie Rust when cinematographer Hutchins was fatally injured in 2021. During rehearsals, the 42-year-old was hit by a live round of ammunition fired from a gun held by actor Alec Baldwin. Director Joel Souza also suffered injuries.

Gutierrez-Reed expressed her feelings before her sentence was announced in April. She told the trial judge that she deeply sympathizes with the Hutchins family and friends. Halyna has been a source of inspiration for her and will continue to be. Gutierrez-Reed acknowledged that Halyna was taken away too soon, and she hopes that everyone affected can find peace.

Rust Armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed Appeals Manslaughter Conviction

Hannah Gutierrez Reed, with paralegal Carmella Sisneros, expressed her sympathy for the film industry due to the tragic incident. She mentioned that when she started working on Rust, she was young and inexperienced, but she approached her job with dedication. Despite facing challenges such as lack of time, resources, and staff, she always tried her best to manage the situation.

After Gutierrez-Reed was convicted in March, lawyers representing Hutchins’ family mentioned that her relatives were pleased with the trial's outcome.

Attorneys Gloria Allred and John Carpenter stated, “Halyna’s parents and her sister have always wanted those responsible for her death to face consequences. This trial and conviction mark the beginning of the criminal justice process in seeking justice for Halyna.”

"We are pleased that the jury found Hannah Gutierrez-Reed guilty for her involvement in Halyna's death. We hope that justice will be served for all those responsible," the statement said.

Baldwin is scheduled to go to trial for manslaughter in July and has maintained his innocence.

Editor's P/S:

The conviction of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed for involuntary manslaughter in the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins has sparked mixed reactions. While some believe that justice has been served, others question whether the real culprits have been held accountable. Gutierrez-Reed's appeal and request for release pending the outcome highlight the ongoing debate surrounding responsibility and accountability in this case.

The fact that actor Alec Baldwin is scheduled to go to trial for manslaughter in July raises further questions. As the person who ultimately fired the gun that killed Hutchins, Baldwin's involvement in the incident cannot be overlooked. It remains to be seen whether the legal system will determine that Baldwin bears more responsibility than Gutierrez-Reed, who was in charge of the firearms on set. The outcome of Baldwin's trial will likely have a significant impact on the public's perception of the incident and the level of accountability that is ultimately assigned.