A movie armorer who worked on the set of the Western film “Rust” is appealing her conviction for involuntary manslaughter in the tragic shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins by Alec Baldwin. Court documents released on Tuesday reveal that Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, currently serving an 18-month sentence at a women’s penitentiary in New Mexico, has filed a brief notice of appeal. Her legal team has a month to submit detailed arguments.
Prosecutors allege Gutierrez-Reed brought live ammunition onto the set of “Rust,” despite strict rules against it, and failed to follow basic firearm safety procedures. A state jury convicted her in March.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed (Via Josh Little/Shutterstock)
During a rehearsal, Baldwin, the film’s main actor and co-producer, discharged a gun he believed was unloaded, fatally injuring Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. Baldwin has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter, asserting that he did not pull the trigger but only pulled back the hammer.
Gutierrez-Reed was cleared of tampering with evidence charges during her trial, but still faces legal proceedings for allegedly carrying a firearm into a bar in downtown Santa Fe.
A judge in New Mexico recently determined that Gutierrez-Reed’s actions on the “Rust” set constituted a serious violent offense, emphasizing a lack of genuine remorse following Hutchins’ death.
