The trial of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the former armorer on the set of the Western film “Rust,” has been fraught with emotional and technical challenges. On its fifth day, the courtroom was enveloped in a somber mood as Gutierrez-Reed became visibly emotional upon seeing graphic photographs of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who tragically lost her life during the film’s production. Despite actor Alec Baldwin being the one who discharged the firearm, Gutierrez-Reed faces two counts of involuntary manslaughter, accused of negligence, and an additional charge of tampering with evidence related to alleged attempts to discard cocaine before speaking to the police.
Throughout the trial, witnesses have provided heart-wrenching testimonies, including dolly grip Ross Addiego, who recounted the harrowing moments following the incident. The jury was also presented with the testimony of Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell, who, while not ruling the death a homicide, highlighted the apparent negligence involved.
Amidst technical glitches, including a malfunctioning stenographer’s machine, the trial has seen its share of disruptions. Gutierrez-Reed’s interaction with law enforcement on the day of the incident was scrutinized, with footage revealing her shock and disbelief over Baldwin’s involvement. Despite the challenges, the trial continues to unfold, revealing layers of complexity surrounding the tragic event and the responsibilities of those involved in film production safety.
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