Rust armorer won’t be drug tested in trial over on-set shooting

Santa Fe, New Mexico - The weapons armorer for Rust won’t be drug tested in her upcoming trial over the fatal on-set shooting of the movie’s cinematographer.

Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed (r.) is facing legal scrutiny over her alleged role in the on-set death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed (r.) is facing legal scrutiny over her alleged role in the on-set death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.  © Collage: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire & Screenshot/Facebook/Voices of the West

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is facing felony charges of evidence tampering and involuntary manslaughter over the death of Halyna Hutchins (42), who was shot by actor Alec Baldwin with a prop gun during a rehearsal on October 21, 2021, near Santa Fe. The film’s director, Joel Souza, was also wounded.

In June, prosecutors argued that Gutierrez-Reed was likely still feeling the effects of drinking and smoking marijuana the night before she loaded the gun that Baldwin used.

Prosecutors also alleged that Gutierrez-Reed attempted to transfer "a small bag of cocaine" to another person to avoid legal consequences in the immediate aftermath of the shooting.

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Prosecutors requested that Gutierrez-Reed be tested for illegal drugs, but their request – described as an "ambush" on the defense – was dismissed by a New Mexico district court judge on Wednesday.

Jason Bowles, her attorney, said the allegations were unsubstantiated and undocumented. However, prosecutors said they have evidence Gutierrez-Reed may be the one responsible for the introduction of live ammunition on the set.

Rust armorer does not enter plea

Gutierrez-Reed did not enter a plea during the hearing, which was held online.

There may be evidentiary hearings next month ahead of a possible trial.

Baldwin was also accused of involuntary manslaughter, but those charges were dropped in April. A wrongful death lawsuit with Hutchins’ family was settled in October.

Rust wrapped shooting in May after production resumed at the Yellowstone Film Ranch in Montana without Gutierrez-Reed. Baldwin and Souza both returned under a deal that made Matthew Hutchins, the cinematographer’s widow, an executive producer on the project.

Cover photo: Collage: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire & Screenshot/Facebook/Voices of the West

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