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
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“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.
Trial recap: ‘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.
Trial recap: ‘Rust’ dolly grip gives emotional recollection of on-set shooting
During his testimony on Monday, ‘Rust’ dolly grip Ross Addiego, became emotional as he recalled the moments after the shooting on the film’s set.
His voice faltering slightly, he told the court: “She was quite clearly injured... [she was] starting to go flush and holding her right side.”
“Joel [Souza] let out some scream to indicate that he was also injured,” he said.
Mr Addiego said that he had attended to Mr Souza, the director of the film, before he and other crew members had moved a church pew so that they could lay Hutchins on the floor. He recalled telling the director to “get the f*** out of here,” and someone else had called 911.
He added that he had not heard “anything verbal” from Hutchins, just groans of pain.
“They were trying to stbilise her to get her in a helicopter to get her to whatever ER they thought was appropriate,” he said, again with a trembling voice.
At one point Mr Addiego took off his glasses to wipe his eyes.
Trial recap: ‘What the f*** that’s insane’: Hannah Gutierrez-Reed reacts to ammo revelation
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed reacts with shock when she learns that the casing of the bullet fired in the Halyna Hutchins shooting used components from a company that only produces bullet components — which are often used on film sets — and not live ammo.
The casings produced by the ammunition company can be “reloaded” and made into live rounds.
If a reloaded Starline Brass bullet was mixed with dummy ammunition using the same casings, they would be difficult to tell apart from one another without checking the individual bullet to ensure it is not live.
“What the f***, that’s insane,” Gutierrez-Reed said when she was shown the photos of the casings.
Trial recap: ‘Rust’ crewmember says he saw firearm-handling issues on set
John Ziello, the key rigging grip on the set of “Rust,” said on two occassions he saw the ammunition cart — with guns sitting out in the open — left unattended on set.
He later said that typically that would not occur on a set because there are “chain of custody” protocols involved in firearm handling on film sets.
Mr Ziello also said during one scene he saw an actor “playing with” one of the guns, and he half-jokingly said “hey man, don’t shoot me” to discourage the actor.
He said Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was not monitoring the actor with the weapon at the time of the incident.
Trial recap: John Ziello recalls moments after Halyna Hutchins was shot
John Ziello, the key rigging grip on the set of “Rust,” recalled the moments after Halyna Hutchins was shot.
He said he heard the shot from outside the church and rushed inside after he heard calls for someone to call 911. He said he pushed pews inside the church away to make room for people to assist Ms Hutchins.
Mr Ziello said he held Ms Hutchin’s head and neck to assist paramedics.
During his recollection of the events he struggled to maintain his composure. He had just driven Ms Hutchins to the church in the moments prior to the shooting.
Trial recap: David Halls recalls the moment the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins occurred
David Halls, the first assistant director on “Rust,” recalled the moment that cinematographer Haylna Hutchins was shot.
He said Alec Baldwin pulled his gun out, cross-drawing, and was talking with Ms Hutchins about where to pull the gun.
Mr Halls became emotional during the recollection.
“The idea that it was a live round of ammunition that went off...it wasn’t computing,” Mr Halls said.
He initially thought it was a blank that went off, or an obstruction in the gun.
Mr Halls said Ms Hutchins fell to the ground three feet to his left.
He then began crying. Mr Halls said he asked if Ms Hutchins was alright, and she said “I can’t feel my legs.”
Mr Halls said he then left the church to make sure 911 was being called, and the set medic arrived to assist Ms Hutchins.
Trial recap: ‘Rust’ assistant director says he was not compelled to testify under plea agreement
David Halls, the first assistant director on “Rust,” said his plea agreement did not force him to testify in Hannah Gutierrez-Reed’s involuntary manslaughter trial.
When asked why he chose to participate, he said he wanted everyone to know the truth about what happened on the set.
“It’s important to me that the truth be known, that Halyna’s husband and son know what happened. It’s important to me that the cast and crew of ‘Rust’ know what happened, and that the televsion and film industry know what happened, so that this doesn’t happen again,” he said.
The trial then broke for a short recess.
Trial resumes: ‘Rust’ prop master Sarah Zachry sits for cross examination
Sarah Zachry, the prop master on “Rust,” sat for a cross-examination on Friday morning in Hannah Gutierrez-Reed’s involuntary manslaughter.
The trial has resumed after adjourning on Thursday night.
Ms Zachry confirmed to Mr Bowles that she did not have Alec Baldwin’s phone number before the shooting, but that she spoke with the actor and with first assistant director Dave Halls after the shooting.
Mr Bowles asked her if she ever texted that she was just “trying to get my facts straight,” to which she said she did.
‘I hope she’s put in jail, this is outrageous'
Defence attorney Jason Bowles makes “Rust” prop master Sarah Zachry admit that she previously said she wanted to see Hannah Gutierrez-Reed go to prison.
He asked Ms Zachry if she recalled saying that, and she said she did not.
Mr Bowles then presented Ms Zachry with text messages showing that she had made the comment.
“I hope [Gutierrez-Reed is] put in jail, this is outrageous,” Ms Zachry reportedly wrote.
After reviewing the texts, she agreed that she did in fact send the messages.
‘Rust’ prop master explains why she wanted to fire Hannah Gutierrez-Reed
After being confronted by defence attorney Jason Bowles about wanting to fire Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, “Rust” prop master Sarah Zachry was asked by prosecutors if it was easy to work with the armourer.
“No,” Ms Zachry replied.
The prosecutor then asked Ms Zachry if Gutierrez-Reed had ever called her a “c***.”
Ms Zachry seemed upset and answered “yes.”
The prosecutor then pointed out that perhaps that’s why Ms Zachry wanted to fire Gutierrez-Reed.
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