Rust juror explains why armourer who gave gun to Alec Baldwin was found guilty
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One of the jurors who convicted Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorist from Rust, explained why the group arrived at their decision. They found her guilty of involuntary manslaughter.
Juror Alberto Sanchez spoke to reporters after the decision and shared that [she] did not carry out any safety checks, examine the rounds or even shake them. He added that if [she] had taken these precautions, the unfortunate event could have been avoided.
During the filming of a movie in 2021, Gutierrez-Reed passed Alec Baldwin a firearm that unknowingly had bullets inside. When practicing a scene, the firearm discharged itself, resulting in the accidental death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, as per court proceedings.
On Wednesday, in a courtroom located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, sGutierrez-Reed got convicted of involuntary manslaughter after causing the death of Ms. Hutchins. Although she faced accusations of tampering with evidence, she was absolved of these charges.
In the court proceedings, the accusers claimed that the person responsible for weapons showed an extraordinary failure to perform their duty with care while on set. They frequently chose to take shortcuts or altogether neglect firearm safety protocols.
According to prosecutor Kari Morrissey, the fatal shooting was intentional and predictable due to the ongoing safety breaches that were never addressed.
After the verdict was given, Mr Sanchez spoke to the press in front of the courthouse. He drew a comparison between the hazards that he faces in his occupation as a truck driver and those that Ms Gutierrez-Reed encounters in her line of work as an armourer.
He mentioned that it's essential for him to inspect his vehicle to avoid any accidents or harming anyone. He added that it was the responsibility of the other person to examine the ammunition and firearms.
Coming to a decision was not a challenge, as per his statement. He mentioned that the evidence regarding the hazardous situations on the filming location made the conclusion very clear.
Mr. Sanchez stated that a person has passed away and it is crucial to take accountability for one's actions. It is especially important if one is responsible for handling weapons, as it is their duty to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those around them.
Ms. Gutierrez-Reed could potentially be sentenced to 18 months in jail and her sentencing is expected to occur in April. Upon her conviction, the judge ordered for her to be detained in custody right away.
Mr. Baldwin, who is also accused of involuntary manslaughter, is scheduled to go on trial starting on July 9th.
