Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the set of the film “Rust,” is facing an additional charge of tampering with evidence in connection with the tragic shooting incident that claimed the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. According to prosecutors, Gutierrez-Reed allegedly transferred narcotics, specifically a small bag of cocaine, to another person with the intent to obstruct the investigation and prevent her own prosecution. The recent court filing sheds light on the alleged incident, highlighting the witness’s concerns about being blacklisted in the film industry and their desire to protect their identity amidst extensive media coverage of the case.
The Alleged Incident:
In a motion seeking witness anonymity, state prosecutors revealed that a witness reported Gutierrez-Reed had given them a small bag of cocaine after returning from her interview with the police on the day of the shooting. The filing asserts that the circumstances surrounding the transfer of the narcotics strongly support the tampering charge, suggesting that Gutierrez-Reed intended to avoid prosecution and prevent law enforcement from obtaining crucial evidence pertaining to her handling of the firearm and the circumstances leading to Hutchins’ death.
Witness Protection and Film Industry Concerns:
The prosecution’s motion to protect the witness’s identity stems from the witness’s apprehension about potential repercussions within the film industry. The witness expressed fears of being “blacklisted” for coming forward with information about Gutierrez-Reed. Additionally, the witness emphasized the need for privacy due to the substantial media coverage surrounding the case. The protection request aims to safeguard the witness from professional consequences and ensure their cooperation in the investigation.
Defense Response and Ongoing Legal Proceedings:
Jason Bowles, Gutierrez-Reed’s attorney, responded to the allegations by questioning the credibility of the secret witness. He highlighted the lack of corroboration or evidence supporting the witness’s claims and criticized the state’s decision to withhold the witness’s identity. Bowles characterized the move as reminiscent of archaic secret trials and dismissed the latest developments as inconsequential to the overall case.
Gutierrez-Reed’s attorneys previously filed a motion to dismiss the charges against her, asserting her intention to plead not guilty to the involuntary manslaughter charges. They maintained that she was unaware of how live rounds ended up in the firearm involved in the shooting. The upcoming preliminary hearing, scheduled for the week of August 9, will provide further insights into the legal proceedings.
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The lawyers defending Ms. Gutierrez-Reed may have “maintained that she was unaware of how live rounds ended up in the firearm,” but that doesn’t really explain why she did not do her job. She should have checked out the weapon and ensured it was not loaded with live ammo before she handed it to the assistant director, who then handed it to Mr. Baldwin. As the armorer on the set, she was responsible for everything associated with firearms, including live ammunition.