The armorer on the set of Rust where cinematographer Halina Hutchins was shot dead with Alec Baldwin’s prop gun has made his first court appearance.
Hannah Gutierrez, 25, appeared before a New Mexico judge via video link, where she was read the felony charges against her and informed of her rights.
Gutierrez faces two counts of involuntary manslaughter in the death of the 42-year-old man Ms. Hutchins in 2021, and one count of tampering with evidence.
Both counts carry a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison.
State prosecutors filed the latest evidence tampering charge in June.
They claim that Gutierrez transferred the drugs to another person “with the intent to prevent himself from being arrested, prosecuted or convicted.”
Witnesses told investigators that Gutierrez “had been drinking heavily and smoking marijuana the evening of the Rust shooting,” prosecutors’ filings said.
Gutierrez’s attorney, Jason Bowles, called the filing “shocking … with no evidence to support it” in a statement at the time.
Alec Baldwin on the set of Rust. Photo: Sante Fe Police
In Wednesday’s court appearance, New Mexico special prosecutor Carrie Morrissey told the court she had evidence that Gutierrez had a “significant substance abuse problem” and said she would undergo random drug testing to meet the conditions of her release.
Mr Bowles said he contested this and had seen no such evidence.
New Mexico Judge Mary Marlow Sommer rejected the state’s request for drug testing, calling it an “attack on Mr. Bowles.”
The next hearing of the case will be held on August 1, 2023, before the preliminary hearing.
Read more:
Weapons expert on set ‘probably hungover’ when cinematographer shot, prosecutors claim
Alec Baldwin’s next film is about a tragic shooting.
Alec Baldwin (L) on set after filming resumed in April
Ms. Hutchins died on October 21, 2021 while filming at Bonanza Creek Ranch near Santa Fe.
Filming on Rust resumed in April this year. on the Yellowstone Film Ranch in Montana, and Baldwin is reprising his role as the title character.
Charges of involuntary manslaughter against Mr. Baldwin Formally dropped On 21 April 2023.
Ms. Hutchins’ husband, Matthew Hutchins, is now the film’s executive producer, and has settled a wrongful-death lawsuit against her. Mr. Baldwin And Rust Movie Productions is out of court.
Marcel the Shell cinematographer Bianca Cline was hired to complete the project, and is donating her salary to charity in Ms. Hutchins’ memory.
Source by [Sky News]
