New Mexico vs. Alec Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez-Reed - Shooting death of Halyna Hutchins on "RUST" movie set *CASE DISMISSED*

‘Rust’ Prosecutors Make It Easy to Find All of Alec Baldwin’s Court Docs

Due to the "high volume of requests," New Mexico authorities are putting everything they have online.

www.indiewire.com

Brian Welk
Feb 2, 2023 2:35 pm

You normally wouldn’t expect this level of accessibility from a government bureaucracy, but the demand to see Alec Baldwin’s public court documents in the “Rust” case have been so high that authorities are just putting it all online. And they’re sending out press releases touting the portal.

New Mexico district attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, who formally charged Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez-Reed with two counts of involuntary manslaughter each on Tuesday, has now launched an online portal via the state’s courts. She’s now asking media and the public to access anything and everything pertaining to the “Rust” case there.

If you visit nmcourts.gov, there’s a tab along the left rail that says “High Profile Cases.” Beneath it are all the criminal court documents for the cases against Baldwin, Gutierrez-Reed and “Rust” assistant director David Halls, who had already agreed to a plea deal (and was subsequently charged with negligent use of a deadly weapon). It’s an easy-access, one-stop shop for all your information on one of the most troubling stories to rock Hollywood in years!

 

[Summer_Breeze]

https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/22/entertainment/rust-trial-alec-baldwin-shooting/index.html

By Christina Maxouris and Eric Levenson, CNN
7 minute read
Updated 4:30 PM EST, Thu February 22, 2024

In opening statements of “Rust” film armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed’s manslaughter trial Thursday, both the prosecution and the defense agreed that negligence was to blame for the on-set shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

But whose negligence, exactly?

New Mexico prosecutor Jason Lewis said Gutierrez Reed’s failures allowed six live bullets to make their way onto the set, and she did not make vital safety checks that would have caught the problem.


“The evidence you’re going to hear throughout this trial is that the defendant was unprofessional and that she failed to do the essential safety functions of her job, and that these failures resulted in live ammunition being spread throughout this entire set,” he said. “Once the live ammunition was on the set, she failed to detect it, because she didn’t follow those essential safety protocols that required her to inspect every round before they were placed into the gun.”

In contrast, defense attorney Jason Bowles placed blame on actor Alec Baldwin for failing to follow common-sense gun safety rules and on the film’s production team for creating a chaotic and unsafe environment. Gutierrez Reed, Bowles pointed out, was just 24 at the time and had to split her time as both armorer and props assistant.

“When the state talks about Ms. Gutierrez Reed being negligent, what really happened is production was negligent,” he said. “Production put her in that position. They put her in the position of having two jobs, props assistant and an armorer, and expected a 24-year-old under really tough conditions to keep up with everything that was going on.”

 

[Summer_Breeze]

https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/01/us/rust-director-joel-souza-shooting/index.html

By Cheri Mossburg, CNN
Published 4:23 PM EST, Fri March 1, 2024


Joel Souza, the director and screenwriter of the “Rust” film, took to the stand Friday in the involuntary manslaughter trial of the film’s armorer, to testify about the moment he was shot on set.

“There was an incredibly loud bang” unlike typical discharges on set, Souza testified. “This was deafening.”

Following the percussive outburst, Souza said, “It felt like someone had taken a baseball bat to my shoulder, I remember that distinctly.”


Souza had been standing directly behind cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, trying to get a closer look at the shot in the film’s camera.

“I distinctly remember (Hutchins) being lowered to the ground, people had her sort of on either side. I still didn’t know what had happened. Nothing made sense,” he said. “I remember initially thinking, ‘Had she been startled by it?’ and then I saw the blood on her back.” Hutchins was fatally shot during the October 2021 incident.

Souza recalled the chaotic scene unfolding and the presence of armorer Hannah Guttierez Reed, “standing there, looking distraught.”

“I remember her saying, ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry Joel’ and I remember somebody screaming at her and they just ushered her out,” he recalled.

At the hospital, the filmmaker said did not understand he had been shot by a bullet.

“I knew something had got me, but they kept talking about this bullet and it just could not compute for me. I kept saying, ‘You don’t understand. No, no, no, this was a movie set. That’s not possible. You don’t get it,’ and, ‘It’s just not possible. It’s just not possible there’s a live round.’”

Doctors then showed Souza the X-ray of his back.

“There was a very large bullet in it.”

Testimony in the trial has hinged on whether Gutierrez Reed, who was in charge of handling weapons on set, or Alec Baldwin and the film’s production team, are ultimately responsible for the shooting.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Surprised emu isn't all over this and watching it and sharing.

I see it is televised but I am not into most Hollywood things. I care about all victims and he needs to go to prison and I know enough on it but just not my cup of tea/type of cases.

Like Dulos. I care and kept up enough but not totally but when a choice of watching Harmony's or that one, Harmony won out. Tried to stay marginally up with both. Convictions in both!! THAT is good news.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

'Rust' armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed found guilty of involuntary manslaughter

A New Mexico jury handed down a verdict in the case of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who faced charges of involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering.

www.usatoday.com

KiMi Robinson
USA TODAY
March 6, 2024

A jury has found "Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the 2021 death of 42-year-old cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during rehearsals for the Western film.

The trial, which began in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Feb. 23 and saw various witness and expert testimony, concluded Wednesday with closing arguments from the prosecution and the defense before the jury handed down a verdict.

The involuntary manslaughter charge against Gutierrez-Reed carries a maximum penalty of 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine. She will be sentenced at a later date.

She was ordered to be taken into custody by deputies immediately after the verdict was read in the court.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Depositions in civil case against Baldwin will wait until 'Rust' criminal trial concludes

Mar. 12—A judge has partially granted a request from Rust star and producer Alec Baldwin to pause a civil case pending against him and two production companies until his criminal case has been resolved. District Judge Bryan Biedscheid ruled Tuesday plaintiffs in the case won't be able to depose...

www.aol.com

PHAEDRA HAYWOOD, THE SANTA FE NEW MEXICAN
March 12, 2024 at 11:34 PM

Mar. 12—A judge has partially granted a request from Rust star and producer Alec Baldwin to pause a civil case pending against him and two production companies until his criminal case has been resolved.

District Judge Bryan Biedscheid ruled Tuesday plaintiffs in the case won't be able to depose Baldwin until the conclusion of his trial on an involuntary manslaughter charge — scheduled to begin July 9 — but written discovery, a process during which attorneys exchange factual information related to the case, will continue.

Baldwin is being sued over, and is facing a criminal charge in, the 2021 shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the movie set.

<snip>

Biedscheid heard arguments and made his ruling Tuesday in a civil case that three crew members — dolly grip Ross Addiego, costumer Doran Curtin and key grip Reese Price — filed against the actor, Rust Movie Productions and El Dorado Pictures in February 2023.

The plaintiffs' lawsuit accuses Baldwin and the production companies of negligence and intentional infliction of emotion distress, claiming decisions he and the companies made — such as using real guns, hiring an inexperienced armorer and rushing production to cut costs — resulted in Hutchins' death and their damages from having witnessed her shooting.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Alec Baldwin seeks dismissal of grand jury indictment in fatal shooting of cinematographer

Defense attorneys for Alec Baldwin urged a New Mexico judge to dismiss a grand jury indictment against the actor in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the Western movie “Rust.”

apnews.com

BY MORGAN LEE
Updated 12:50 AM EDT, March 15, 2024
Share
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Defense attorneys for Alec Baldwin urged a New Mexico judge on Thursday to dismiss a grand jury indictment against the actor in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the Western movie “Rust.”

The indictment in January charged Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on Oct. 21, 2021, at a movie ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe.

Baldwin has pleaded not guilty to the charge. His attorneys in a new court filing accused prosecutors of “unfairly stacking the deck” against Baldwin in grand jury proceedings that diverted attention away from exculpatory evidence and witnesses.

They say that prevented the jury from asserting their obligation to hear testimony from director Joel Souza, who was wounded in the shooting while standing near Hutchins, as well as assistant director and safety coordinator Dave Halls and props master Sarah Zachry.

“The grand jury did not receive the favorable or exculpatory testimony and documents that the state had an obligation to present,” said the court motion signed by defense attorney Luke Nikas. “Nor was the grand jury told it had a right to review and the obligation to request this information.”

 

[Summer_Breeze]

MSN

'Rust' armorer challenges involuntary manslaughter conviction, requests new trial​

Story by Janelle Ash
• 11h

"Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed's attorneys are challenging her involuntary manslaughter conviction she received in a Santa Fe, New Mexico, court earlier this month.

According to documents obtained by Fox News Digital, Gutierrez Reed's legal team filed an emergency motion for a new trial and release on March 15.

Defense attorneys are also requesting the defendant be released from jail while deliberations proceed, according to The Associated Press.

Jason Bowles and Monnica Barreras, attorneys for Gutierrez Reed, argued in their motion, which was released Monday, that instructions given to the jury during the trial "could confuse the jury and lead to a nonunanimous verdict," according to The Associated Press. Per the outlet, similar objections were made during the trial and rejected.

Bowles and Barreras cited a New Mexico Supreme Court ruling in their motion for a new trial, according to the Santa Fe Reporter.

The New Mexico vs. Taylor case on March 14 reversed child abuse convictions based on jury error, according to the outlet. It noted that "the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court on writ would almost certainly have to overturn the result in this case," on a similar basis.

Bowles told Fox News Digital, "We believe the New Mexico Supreme Court in Taylor has addressed this issue now on the jury instruction error of using and/or and not having a unanimous verdict on a particular act and I believe Hannah is entitled to a new trial on this basis."

 

[Summer_Breeze]

New trial denied for 'Rust' armorer convicted in fatal shooting of cinematographer by Alec Baldwin

A New Mexico judge rejected an effort by a movie set armorer challenging her conviction of involuntary manslaughter in the 2021 fatal shooting of a cinematographer by Alec Baldwin on the set of the Western film “Rust."

apnews.com

BY SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN
Updated 2:23 PM EDT, March 29, 2024


ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico judge on Friday rejected an effort by a movie set armorer to challenge her conviction of involuntary manslaughter in the 2021 fatal shooting of a cinematographer by Alec Baldwin on the set of the Western film “Rust.”

After hearing brief arguments during a virtual hearing, Santa Fe-based Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer said she would be staying the course and that armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed would remain in custody pending her sentencing in April.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Alec Baldwin Alleges a ‘Stunning Abuse of Prosecutorial Power’ in ‘Rust’ Case

Alec Baldwin's lawyers alleged that prosecutors indicted him due to a misunderstanding about his involvement in a documentary about "Rust."

variety.com

Apr 23, 2024 11:04am PT
By Gene Maddaus

Alec Baldwin‘s lawyers alleged a “stunning abuse of prosecutorial power” in the “Rust” case on Tuesday, arguing that a favorable plea offer was withdrawn last fall due to a misunderstanding about Baldwin’s role in a documentary about the case.

Baldwin is facing a trial in July in Santa Fe, N.M., on a felony charge of involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. If convicted, he faces up to 18 months in prison.

Last October, prosecutors offered him a misdemeanor plea that would carry no jail time. But prosecutor Kari Morrissey said in a recent filing that she rescinded that offer after learning that Baldwin had “commissioned his own documentary” about Hutchins’ death, and was pressuring witnesses in the case to participate.

Concerned that Baldwin’s conduct would cause ongoing harm the victims and their families, she withdraw the offer and decided to seek a felony indictment.

In a response on Tuesday, Baldwin’s lawyers argued that that is a “bad faith” reason to indict someone, as it has nothing to do with the facts of the alleged crime, and that the prosecutor was mistaken about Baldwin’s involvement in the documentary.

“Morrissey’s stated reasons for pursuing an indictment are completely divorced from the public interest and reflect a stunning abuse of prosecutorial power,” wrote Baldwin’s attorneys, led by Luke Nikas.

Baldwin’s lawyers are now seeking to have the indictment thrown out, alleging violations of court orders and other defects in the grand jury process. Morrissey argued in response that the defense has lied to and misled the prosecution, and that Baldwin deserves to stand trial for his role in Hutchins’ death.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

More at link. ~Summer

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Alec Baldwin Again Seeks Dismissal of Case, as Rory Kennedy Fights D.A.’s Subpoena

Alec Baldwin has filed two more motions to dismiss his manslaughter case, while Rory Kennedy is fighting a subpoena for interview footage.

variety.com

By Gene Maddaus
May 8, 2024

Alec Baldwin‘s lawyers have filed two more motions to throw out his manslaughter indictment in the “Rust” case in New Mexico.

Meanwhile, Rory Kennedy, who is making a documentary about Baldwin and the “Rust” shooting, is fighting a subpoena that would force her to turn over interview footage to the prosecutors in the case.

Baldwin faces a trial in July on a charge of negligently causing the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The actor was preparing to film a scene in the Western film in October 2021 when his Colt .45 fired, striking Hutchins and also wounding the director.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/judge-rule-alec-baldwin-bid-avoid-rust-trial-2024-05-17/

By Andrew Hay
May 17, 20243:34 PM EDTUpdated 15 hours ago

May 17 (Reuters) - A New Mexico judge next week will make a decision on Alec Baldwin's request to have charges dropped against him in the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, as the actor tries to avoid an unprecedented Hollywood manslaughter trial for an on-set death.

Baldwin's lawyers had filed motions to dismiss his indictment, alleging prosecutorial misconduct, opens new tab, failure to show the actor committed a crime, opens new tab and destruction of evidence, opens new tab during testing of the gun Baldwin used in 2021 during a rehearsal on the New Mexico set of 'Rust.'

"We need the court to move in and check this abuse of power," Baldwin attorney Alex Spiro said during a virtual court hearing before Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer on Friday, who will preside over Baldwin's case should it reach a trial scheduled to start July 10.

During the at times contentious hearing, New Mexico state special prosecutor Kari Morrissey denied allegations from Baldwin's lawyer Luke Nikas that she hid evidence from the grand jury that indicted Baldwin in January.

Morrissey also said grand jurors were presented with evidence Baldwin showed criminal negligence when he pointed the gun at Hutchins, in violation of industry-wide safety rules.
"The actor has responsibility for the firearms once it is in their hands," Morrissey said.

 

[Kimster]

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/judge-rule-alec-baldwin-bid-avoid-rust-trial-2024-05-17/

By Andrew Hay
May 17, 20243:34 PM EDTUpdated 15 hours ago

May 17 (Reuters) - A New Mexico judge next week will make a decision on Alec Baldwin's request to have charges dropped against him in the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, as the actor tries to avoid an unprecedented Hollywood manslaughter trial for an on-set death.

Baldwin's lawyers had filed motions to dismiss his indictment, alleging prosecutorial misconduct, opens new tab, failure to show the actor committed a crime, opens new tab and destruction of evidence, opens new tab during testing of the gun Baldwin used in 2021 during a rehearsal on the New Mexico set of 'Rust.'

"We need the court to move in and check this abuse of power," Baldwin attorney Alex Spiro said during a virtual court hearing before Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer on Friday, who will preside over Baldwin's case should it reach a trial scheduled to start July 10.

During the at times contentious hearing, New Mexico state special prosecutor Kari Morrissey denied allegations from Baldwin's lawyer Luke Nikas that she hid evidence from the grand jury that indicted Baldwin in January.

Morrissey also said grand jurors were presented with evidence Baldwin showed criminal negligence when he pointed the gun at Hutchins, in violation of industry-wide safety rules.
"The actor has responsibility for the firearms once it is in their hands," Morrissey said.

I have to stand with that last sentence. When I got my concealed carry permit, that’s exactly what they told me. When I have that firearm in my hands, I’m responsible for what happens. I don’t care if he was depending on someone else or not, you have to look in that chamber and see if there is a live round. It’s the law for everybody else, why isn’t it the law for an actor?

 

[Guess Who]

I have to stand with that last sentence. When I got my concealed carry permit, that’s exactly what they told me. When I have that firearm in my hands, I’m responsible for what happens. I don’t care if he was depending on someone else or not, you have to look in that chamber and see if there is a live round. It’s the law for everybody else, why isn’t it the law for an actor?

Exactly, but my biggest question is why was he using any ammo at all when it was just a rehearsal and experimenting with his actions? Why did any of the production people think this was even a good idea to start with? I want to know more about who's decision it was to do this.

 

[Kimster]

Exactly, but my biggest question is why was he using any ammo at all when it was just a rehearsal and experimenting with his actions? Why did any of the production people think this was even a good idea to start with? I want to know more about who's decision it was to do this.

I don’t know who these people are that are supposed to arm the weapons used on their movie sets, but they need some basic safety training. And then anybody else who is going to be using a real firearm needs to go through the same. That will protect them.

 

[Guess Who]

I don’t know who these people are that are supposed to arm the weapons used on their movie sets, but they need some basic safety training. And then anybody else who is going to be using a real firearm needs to go through the same. That will protect them.

But how would an ordinary layman know the difference between a real but and a fake one? What was the point at all to have ANY kind of ammo in it when it was just a rehearsal of what he might do? Why was a blank even requested for that? Whomever made that decision is much to blame, no matter who it was. There was absolutely no need for it to be loaded with any kind of ammo

 

[Kimster]

But how would an ordinary layman know the difference between a real but and a fake one? What was the point at all to have ANY kind of ammo in it when it was just a rehearsal of what he might do? Why was a blank even requested for that? Whomever made that decision is much to blame, no matter who it was. There was absolutely no need for it to be loaded with any kind of ammo

If you can’t tell the difference, then you should treat the gun like it’s a live firearm. I’m very strict about how firearm should be handled. I was trained by a guy who has been a firearm dealer all of his life, and he feels the same way.

 

[Guess Who]

If you can’t tell the difference, then you should treat the gun like it’s a live firearm. I’m very strict about how firearm should be handled. I was trained by a guy who has been a firearm dealer all of his life, and he feels the same way.

I get that totally, but still whomever made that ridiculous decision to have any kind of ammo in it for that particular rehearsal is still at least partially to blame here, whether it be the actual victim, AB it anybody else involved in that decision.

 

[Kimster]

I get that totally, but still whomever made that ridiculous decision to have any kind of ammo in it for that particular rehearsal is still at least partially to blame here, whether it be the actual victim, AB it anybody else involved in that decision.

Agreed.

 

[Cousin Dupree]

I get that totally, but still whomever made that ridiculous decision to have any kind of ammo in it for that particular rehearsal is still at least partially to blame here, whether it be the actual victim, AB it anybody else involved in that decision.

Technically, Baldwin was the last piece in a chain that should've known better. I don't see him as culpable as the others. Still...

 

[Guess Who]

Technically, Baldwin was the last piece in a chain that should've known better. I don't see him as culpable as the others. Still...

If he had anything to do with the decision to have it loaded with absolutely anything while aiming it, he's just as culpable. Any in charge could have said it was a bad idea.