Rust armourer calls for new trial after involuntary manslaughter conviction

A weapons armourer on the film set of Rust has asked for a new involuntary manslaughter trial and to be released from prison.

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty after a two-week trial in Santa Fe, New Mexico, after the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins, 42, on the western film set in October 2021.

“Ms Gutierrez-Reed is requesting this court vacate her conviction and order new trial,” lawyers Jason Bowles and Monnica Barreras said, in an emergency motion.

“She is further requesting this court to release her pending further proceedings whether it be in this court or on appeal or writ.”

The court documents appear to have been filed on the same day that Alec Baldwin‘s lawyers filed a motion to dismiss an involuntary manslaughter charge against the actor over the shooting.

In it, the actor’s lawyers accused prosecutors of “violating nearly every rule in the book” in acquiring the indictment.

Among the claims, it is alleged state prosecutors gave the grand jury instruction on involuntary manslaughter that “unfairly stacked the deck against Baldwin”, who was re-charged with involuntary manslaughter in January and will go on trial in July.

The Hollywood actor faces two counts of manslaughter, one for negligent use of a firearm and another for failure to exercise due caution – and faces a maximum of 18 months in prison if found guilty.

The 30 Rock actor has denied responsibility for Hutchins’ death, saying the gun went off without him pulling the trigger.

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Hutchins died when a Colt. 45 revolver Baldwin was rehearsing with fired a live round that also wounded director Joel Souza during filming of the Western movie Rust.

Gutierrez-Reed will be sentenced on 15 April for the charge, which carries a maximum penalty of 18 months in prison and a $5,000 (£3,900) fine.