In the case of Hollywood star Alec Baldwin’s fatal shot at a camerawoman during a western filming, the sentence for the gun master during the filming was announced on Monday (April 15th). Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was sentenced to 18 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter – the maximum possible sentence in this headline-grabbing case.
She was responsible for safety when handling weapons on the film set. Instead of a harmless bullet, there was live ammunition in the weapon operated by Baldwin.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed lets lawyers do the talking
A jury found her guilty of involuntary manslaughter at the trial in the US state of New Mexico at the beginning of March. According to prosecutors, Gutierrez-Reed had sloppy oversight of the more than 20 weapons on set. The armorer accepted the announcement without much emotion.
In her sentencing memorandum, her attorneys argue that Gutierrez “has suffered and will continue to suffer collateral consequences far more severe than most defendants ever endure.”
“This conviction and the barrage of media coverage will forever impact her life, including her career prospects and attempt to one day lead a ‘normal’ life again,” her lawyers wrote. Gutierrez is “incredibly sad and heartbroken over what happened that tragic day” on the set of “Rust.”
Fatal shot on film set: Alec Baldwin charged with involuntary manslaughter
While filming the film “Rust” in October 2021, camerawoman Halyna Hutchins was fatally hit by a live bullet from a .45 Colt that Baldwin was holding in his hand. Director Joel Souza was injured by the same bullet.
It is unclear how the live ammunition even got into the revolver. Because of the incident, Baldwin is also charged with negligent homicide in a separate and ongoing case.