Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the armorer who negligently loaded a live bullet into Alec Baldwin’s gun on the set of “Rust,” was sentenced to the maximum 18 months in prison.
The fatal shooting resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on October 21, 2021
Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer emphasised on Monday April 15th; Gutierrez Reed’s lack of remorse. “You alone turned a safe weapon into a lethal weapon,” the judge stated. “But for you, Ms. Hutchins would be alive, a husband would have his partner, and a little boy would have his mother.”
The sentencing hearing included emotional statements from Hutchins’ family and “Rust” director Joel Souza, who was wounded in the incident. Hutchins’ mother, Olga Solovey, said, “The day of her death ruined my entire life.”
Gutierrez Reed, held in custody since March, maintained her innocence and blamed others. She asked for probation, stating, “Despite not having proper time, resources, and staffing, when things got tough I just did my best to handle it.”
The prosecution, however, highlighted Gutierrez Reed’s jail calls where she disparaged the jurors, judge, and others involved, as evidence of her continued lack of remorse.
Judge Marlowe Sommer rejected a probation request, noting Gutierrez Reed’s failure to apologize or accept responsibility. Additionally, the judge designated the crime as a “serious violent offense,” limiting credit for good behavior.
Gutierrez Reed intends to appeal. Her defense argued that her jailhouse comments reflected frustration, not a lack of remorse. They also claim recently discovered evidence of an exculpatory interview with the weapons supplier could have impacted the trial’s outcome.
Alec Baldwin, also facing involuntary manslaughter charges, is scheduled for trial in July.
