Prosecutors have alleged that Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was probably “hung over” when she handed actor Alec Baldwin a real gun instead of a prop on the set of their movie “Rust” in 2021.
Attorneys filed a motion on behalf of Gutierrez-Reed, asking that the involuntary manslaughter charges against her be dismissed — but the prosecution responded with witness statements claiming that the set armorer had been seen “drinking heavily and smoking marijuana” in the evenings while they were shooting the film.
According to the prosecution, on the day of the fatal shooting, “[i]t is likely that Defendant Gutierrez was hung over when she inserted a live bullet into a gun that she knew was going to be used at some point by an actor while filming a shooting scene with other actors and crew members.”
The prosecution said that Gutierrez-Reed, 25, had displayed a pattern of risky and reckless behavior, and argued that it was in the best interest of all involved for her to be “held accountable.”
The armorer’s attorney Jason Bowles responded to the prosecution’s claims, telling CNN in a statement, “The prosecution has so mishandled this case and the case is so weak that they are now resorting to character assassination tactics to further taint the jury pool. … This investigation and prosecution has not been about seeking Justice; for them it’s been about finding a convenient scapegoat.”
Bowles also spoke with the Associated Press, adding, “The case is so weak that they now have chosen to resort to character assassination claims about Hannah. The prosecution has abandoned the idea of doing justice and getting to the actual truth apparently.”
Baldwin, who is producing the film, was also charged with involuntary manslaughter, but the charges were dismissed in April — however, further investigation could lead to additional charges against him in the future if the evidence warrants.
“We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic incident,” Baldwin’s attorneys said at the time.
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Baldwin has since relocated the set of “Rust” to Montana and finished shooting the film.