KOB 4 News (Albuquerque, NM) reports that a New Mexico jury took less than three hours yesterday (3/6/2024) to convict former armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed of involuntary manslaughter in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Hutchins died after being shot by actor Alec Baldwin with a live round from a prop gun during a rehearsal on the ‘Rust’ movie set near Santa Fe in 2021.
Following the jury’s verdict, Gutierrez-Reed was taken into police custody. She faces up to 18 months in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been established.
The KOB 4 News article may be read HERE.
The Associated Press (“AP News”) is also reporting in this matter, citing that the trial and conviction of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed has afforded actor Alec Baldwin and his legal team a unusual window into how Baldwin’s upcoming trial might unfold. Both the prosecution and defense in Gutierrez-Reed’s trial dissected video footage of Baldwin before the fatal shooting for clues about breakdowns in firearms safety.
Baldwin’s defense attorneys have shown no sign of compromise with special prosecutors appointed by Santa Fe-area District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, who vowed justice for Halyna Hutchins in a February 2024 fundraising message, stating that “no one avoids culpability due to fame, wealth, or connections in my jurisdiction.”
The AP News article may be read HERE.
Clearly, safety protocols during filming of the western movie ‘Rust’ were not properly implemented and/or followed, and it still, apparently, has not yet been determined how live rounds not only entered the movie set, but ended up in the prop gun actually being used by Baldwin.
It is in times such as this when honesty and integrity are critical, on all fronts, beginning with the actual employees on the ‘Rust’ movie set. One or more persons must know exactly how live rounds ended up on the set and/or in Baldwin’s prop gun, but fearing the consequences, they are unwilling to speak the truth. Now, civil government spends time and a large amount of taxpayer funds to attempt to prove and prosecute a matter, that like most, could have been resolved in a more honorable and timely manner if those who violated the safety protocols had a repentant heart.
I understand the foregoing is easy to say, especially for those not involved in the matter, but that does not negate the validity of the perspective!
My brothers and sisters in Christ, let’s pray that truth prevails in all of this, and that the outcome is just, yet seasoned with grace and mercy – as every one of us who names Jesus as Lord has been shown great love, grace and mercy in our lives by God. All have fallen short of the glory of God!
Let’s remember what the bible has to say about our sin and “rejoicing” over others’ sin:
Romans 3:23 (NKJV)
“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…”.
Proverbs 24:16-17 (Amplified Bible)
“For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, [b]ut the wicked stumble in time of disaster and collapse. Do not rejoice and gloat when your enemy falls, [a]nd do not let your heart be glad [in self-righteousness] when he stumbles…”.
Praise Jesus forevermore!
