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Rust shooting: Opening statements start in trial of Gutierrez-Reed

  • Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot on set of 'Rust'
  • Armorer pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter charge
  • Prosecutors said she's negligent, defense says she's scapegoat

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SANTA FE, N.M. (NewsNation) — The criminal trial of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the set of the movie “Rust” where a gun loaded with live ammo was fired, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, started Thursday.

Gutierrez-Reed has pleaded not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence.

Prosecutors allege she was using drugs and drinking during production, while Gutierrez-Reed claims she is a victim of sabotage and that disgruntled cast and crew members likely put the live ammo on set to get her fired.

Actor Alec Baldwin, indicted on involuntary manslaughter charges for being the one to shoot Hutchins, will also have his day in court but not until this trial ends. Baldwin pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutor Jason Lewis, in his opening statement, said he wants jurors to pay attention to the events on the day of the shooting and try to answer the question of how live ammo was brought to set in the first place.

Lewis said it was the “negligent acts and failures of Ms. Gutierrez that resulted in both of the acts that contributed in Ms. Hutchins’ death and the live rounds being brought on set.”

Defense attorneys, on the other hand, pointed to various safety hazards that were found on the set according to an Occupational Safety and Health Administration report.

They also said Gutierrez, then 24, was young and inexperienced with a lot on her plate at the time of the shooting.

“Ms. Gutierrez-Reed did the best job she could under very, very tough circumstances,” Attorney Jason Bowles said. “She had insufficient time to do her armorer duties because she was also forced to do props, and management made a number of mistakes and did not create the proper atmosphere.”

The defense added the “Rust” production was pushing to move forward at a quicker pace than they should have. Gutierrez-Reed asked for additional armorer days so she could train Baldwin on how to use a .45 caliber revolver, which is the gun that ultimately killed Hutchins.

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