Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the assistant in charge of firearms on the set of “Rust,” has been sentenced to the maximum penalty of 18 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter, following the tragic incident in which Alec Baldwin accidentally fired a firearm, resulting in the death of the director of photography Halyna Hutchins. The verdict was delivered by Judge Mary Sommer of Santa Fe, following a guilty verdict by the jury, making her the first team member to be convicted for her involvement in the tragedy.
In New Mexico, charges of involuntary manslaughter carry a maximum sentence of 18 months and a fine of up to $5,000.
The prosecution gave the maximum penalty for Gutierrez-Reed, who has been held at the Santa Fe Adult Detention Center since March, after being found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, though acquitted of evidence tampering. Judge Sommer rejected requests for a new trial and for bail pending appeal.
During the hearing, the judge pointed out Gutierrez-Reed’s lack of remorse, stating that she had not taken responsibility for her actions.
Before the sentencing, Gutierrez-Reed requested probation instead of prison, highlighting the pain she feels for Hutchins’ family and friends since the tragedy. She claimed to have taken her job seriously despite resource and time constraints, and criticized the media portrayal that painted her as a “true monster.”
Prosecutor Kari Morrissey urged the judge to impose the maximum sentence due to a series of violations on the set that led to Hutchins’ death, accusing Gutierrez-Reed of refusing to accept responsibility. Director Joel Souza attributed the incident to Gutierrez-Reed’s errors that day. Hutchins’ family and acquaintances also called for the maximum penalty, while Gloria Allred, the family’s legal representative, cited serious safety violations during filming.
Alec Baldwin’s trial for involuntary manslaughter is scheduled to begin in July. It is alleged that Baldwin endangered others by not attending firearms handling training and hiring an inexperienced firearms assistant. Gutierrez-Reed’s conviction could set an important precedent regarding criminal responsibility in future incidents of negligence on film sets.
