Rust production wanted to fire ‘difficult to work with’ armourer before Alec Baldwin shooting
“Rust” first assistant director David Halls testified during the trial, and choked up when he recalled the shooting of Halyna Hutchins
Support truly
independent journalism
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
Louise Thomas
Editor
“Rust” prop master Sarah Zachry testified during the trial and admitted to a defence attorney that she had previously voiced a desire to both fire Hannah Gutierrez-Reed and — after the shooting of Halyna Hutchins — see her sent to prison.
After the cross-exam, Ms Zachry told the prosection that the armourer was not easy to work with and confirmed that Gutierrez-Reed had called her a “c***,” which the prosecution argued is likely why Ms Zachry wanted to fire her.
Gutierrez-Reed is facing involuntary manslaughter charges in the fatal shooting of Ms Hutchins. Actor and producer Alec Baldwin is also facing involuntary manslaughter charges related to the shooting. His trial will begin on 9 July.
The prosecution seeks to prove that Gutierrez-Reed was negligent in her duties on set and that proper protocol was in place during the investigation of the shooting. The state claims the armourer was “sloppy” and had left guns unattended on the set.
Gutierrez-Reed is also facing an evidence tampering charge for allegedly asking a friend to hide cocaine for her while police were investigating the shooting.
Gutierrez-Reed faces up to three years in prison if she is convicted.
Line producer Gabrielle Pickle takes the stand
Gabrielle Pickle, a line producer who worked on the set of Rust, has taken the stand.
At one point, she recalled, Ms Gutierrez-Reed requested additional gun safety trainings for actors, including Alec Baldwin.
In a police interview shown to the court yesterday, Ms Gutierrez-Reed was heard telling detectives Mr Baldwin was “distracted” and “on his phone” for much of a training session.
Ms Pickle could not recall whether Ms Gutierrez-Reed told her the actor had not been paying attention.
Line producer details on set safety protocols
Line producer Gabrielle Pickle continued her testimony about safety measures taken on set.
Gun safety training meetings were held regularly, though “not every day,” she said.
Ms Pickle also spoke about COVID-19 safety regulations.
“We tested, I cannot remember how often, but frequently. Everyone wore masks. We had hand sanitizer everywhere,” she said.
Guidance to maintain distance from other people was harder to follow, she explained.
“It was not often practical because filming takes place in small buildings…but yes, that was the goal,” she said.
Line producer wasn’t told about prior “accidental discharges"
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed did not tell line producer Gabrielle Pickle about accidental discharges that took place on set prior to the shooting, Ms Pickle testified.
She is unsure if the armourer told anyone about them.
“I do not have knowledge of that,” she said.
Court adjourned for the day
The trial has been adjourned for the day.
Testimony in the case will continue tomorrow.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was “sloppy,” prosecutors say
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed’s colleagues called her “sloppy” and “unprofessional, ” prosecutor Jason Lewis said in opening statements last week.
“You will hear testimony that [Gutierrez-Reed] routinely left guns and ammunition lying around the set unattended and that her gun safe and ammo cart were constantly disorganized,” he said.
The involuntary manslaughter case against the Rust armourer will continue Thursday with more witness testimony.
Read more about key moments in the trial so far here.
Trial recap: Guttierez-Reed struggles to maintain composure while viewing autopsy photos
Hannah Guttierez-Reed has maintained a generally stoic expression for the majority of the trial, but she appeared close to breaking on Tuesday when she was shown autopsy photos of Halyna Hutchins.
The photos were shown during the testimony of University of New Mexico Chief Medical Investigator Dr Heather Jarrell.
Dr Jarrell said that the photos showed Ms Hutchins before her wounds had been cleaned, as is typical practice for medical examiners.
Ms Guttierez-Reed was visibly disturbed by the images, and her eyes frequently darted away from the screen.
EXPLAINER — Alec Baldwin: What is involuntary manslaughter and the expected sentence?
Alec Baldwin was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection to the on-set death of Halyna Hutchins, the Santa Fe District Attorney has said.
What is involuntary manslaughter?
The Santa Fe DA said that Mr Baldwin and Ms Gutierrez-Reed would be “charged in the alternative” with two counts of manslaughter.
This means that a “jury would decide not simply if they were guilty, but under which definition of involuntary manslaughter they were guilty,” the DA said in a statement.
READ MORE:
Alec Baldwin: What is involuntary manslaughter and the expected sentence?
‘Jury would decide not simply if they were guilty, but under which definition of involuntary manslaughter they were guilty’
WATCH: Alec Baldwin's Involuntary Manslaughter Trial Set For July
‘I’m like the only female armourer in the game and I just f***** my whole entire career’
A video taken from the bodycamera footage of Santa Fe County Sheriff’s detective Alexandria Hancock was played in court. The footage shows Ms Hancock escorting Gutierrez-Reed to the bathroom on the day Halyna Hutchins was shot.
“Welcome to the worst day of my life,” Gutierrez-Reed says as the two walk toward the bathroom.
She later says “I can’t believe Alec Baldwin was holding the gun, that’s so f*****,” Gutierrez-Reed says.
She also asks to be moved to another car to avoid being seen by her coworkers.
“I just want to get the f*** out of here and never show my face in this industry again,” she says.
When Ms Hancock asks her what about her background, she says she’s new to the industry but fears she’s ruined her career.
“I’m like the only female armourer in the game and I just f***** up my entire career,” she says.
Images from the trial
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.