In a major move, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed’s attorneys have lost their attempt to have the case against her in Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins’ involuntary manslaughter dropped by a New Mexico court. The court dismissed Gutierrez-Reed’s claim that her right to a fair trial had been jeopardized by extensive media coverage and public knowledge of the case.

The choice was made in the middle of heightened investigation into the events leading up to Hutchins’ untimely demise on the low-budget Western set.
.. A thorough investigation by Rebecca Keegan of THR has revealed a number of concerning breaches in safety procedures and decision-making during Rust’s filming. Despite more widespread systemic shortcomings, Gutierrez-Reed, one of the crew members with the least amount of experience and pay, seems to be facing the most legal repercussions.
Startling revelations in Keegan’s assessment include the inexperience of Gutierrez-Reed and the unwillingness of more seasoned armorers to assume the responsibility because of safety concerns. In addition, there are claims of evidence manipulation and a general disdain for safety protocols; several crew members are said to have left the set due to safety concerns before Hutchins passed away.

The study also reveals that evidence was improperly handled in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, which made it more difficult to identify the source of the live bullet that killed Hutchins. Rust producer and star Alec Baldwin is facing fresh allegations of involuntary manslaughter, which focus attention on the conditions around the live ammunition on set.
The chaotic nature of the Rust set is still in the spotlight as Gutierrez-trial Reed’s draws near, with numerous safety lapses coming to light. Nonetheless, it seems as though Gutierrez-Reed is receiving an excessive amount of attention in terms of legal accountability, which begs the question of the wider accountability of all those engaged in the production.
It is expected that the trial, which is scheduled to start next week, will go into further depth, possibly revealing instances of drug and alcohol usage on set. The horrific tragedy has left a lasting legacy of civil cases against Rust’s creators, even in the face of ongoing judicial proceedings.
