Verdict delivered over fatal Rust shooting
The armourer on the set of the film Rust has been charged with involuntary manslaughter over the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Halyna Hutchins, who was 42 and a mother to a young son, died after being fatally shot by Alec Baldwin on the set of the Western movie in October 2021.
Baldwin has repeatedly denied responsibility, insisting he did not pull the trigger.
Now, armourer Hannah Gutierrez has been found guilty, with the jury hearing that Gutierrez, 26, had been ultimately responsible for the use of live rounds on set.
Over a 10-day trial in New Mexico, the court heard how she had repeatedly failed to adhere to basic safety rules by leaving guns unattended on set, and allowing actors — including Baldwin — to wave the weapons around.
“This is not a case where Hannah Gutierrez made one mistake and that one mistake was accidentally putting a live round into that gun,” prosecutor Kari Morrissey told the jury in her closing argument Wednesday.
“This case is about constant, never-ending safety failures that resulted in the death of a human being and nearly killed another.”
The judge remanded her in custody ahead of her sentencing, which is not expected before next month, as she faces up to 18 months’ prison.
Despite Baldwin long claiming his innocence over the shooting, ballistics experts have dismissed the claim, saying the gun could not have discharged any other way.
His own involuntary manslaughter trial is expected in July.
Image credits: Getty Images