STATE & NATIONAL: On Thursday, the Judge in the trial involving Hannah Gutierrez-Reed in the shouting death of actress , Halyna Hutchins, hands down a guilty conviction stating that, as the film's weapons supervisor, Gutierrez-Reed was, solely responsible for ensuring the safety of props used on the set.
By Anne M Erbynstein
"Rust," the film project in which long time film star, Alec Baldwin portrayed the producer, despite the film's quite obvious plot , still it seem very odd if not unheard of that production of a movie should, by any means, caused to employ the use of live ammunition--or even real firearms, for that matter.
One would , also, question why it might have transpired that the weapons supervisor managed to gain access to live ammunitions and, thereafter, load the firesrm(s) with one or more live rounds. Was there, in the minds and hearts ofthe jury, any measure of doubt that a weapon being on the set of a film project bearing live ammunition would have taken deliberate steps to bring to fruition?
Also, while the weapons supervisor assumes full responsibility for ensuring weapon safety, there would be no reason why , whether as actor or producer, Baldwin should know or even suspect that the weapon he would use during a scene as a prop would be loaded with live bullets.
In the trial, it was indicated that Gutierrez-Reed, the 26 year old member of the film's technical crew smoked marijuana and indulged in drinking alcoholic beverages while the film was being taped. Lawyers for Guitierrez-Reed argued that their client was hungover from a night of drinking and smoking pot when she loaded the firearm with live ammunition and passed it off --as a safe and secure prop--to Alec Baldwin.
While, just last April, charges of manslaughter were dropped, exonerating Baldwin if any plot or intent to harm anyone, attorneys for Gutierrez-Reed are, now , attempting to press the court for their client's dismissal of manslaughter charges apparently basing their petition on tge fact tgst their client had indulged in excessive drinking and remained hungover.
Today, the court has not stated whether it's deliberation ofthe request made by the defendant's attorney would render further charges of 1st degree murder considering the evidence surrounding Gutierrez-Reed's apparent intent involving her apparent efforts at obtaining live ammunition, loading the weapon with live rounds and, thereafter, padding the firearm off to supporting actor, Baldwin.
As the court rendered its final judgement involving Hannah Gutierrez -Reed, there continues to be some consideration involving an expert examination of the firesrm's alleged broken spear. Prosecutors have indicated that whether Baldwin is recharged in the case is dependent upon the outcome of the expert examination.
Gutierrez was found guilty of failing to practice safety precautions having been charged with safety violations.
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