Sentencing Date Scheduled For 'Rust' Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed

“Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed will be sentenced next month after being found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Although she was acquitted of a lesser charge of tampering with evidence, it only took less than three hours for a jury to find her guilty of involuntary manslaughter.

In addition to “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, actor Alec Baldwin will also stand trial for involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of Halyna Hutchins. The “30 Rock” actor had been holding the gun when it went off while rehearsing a scene inside a church in New Mexico.

Director Joel Souza was hospitalized when the bullet went through Hutchins, leading to her tragic death. Although it is still up for debate how live ammunition wound up on the set of the Western film, the 65-year-old actor maintains that he has not pulled the trigger.

Although it is always possible that the date will change due to scheduling conflicts, on March 13, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer designated a sentencing hearing for Monday, April 15 at 10 AM local time. The rookie armorer, who only worked on one set before “Rust,” faced up to three years in prison if found guilty of both charges.

However, after a two-week trial, she was only found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. It took a jury of seven women and five men less than three hours to find her guilty of involuntary manslaughter and innocent of a charge that had accused her of tampering with evidence in relation to drug allegations.

Just before the prosecution rested its case, they presented a witness who was a crew member from the “Rust” set. This crew member, who identified themselves as a recovering addict, stated that Hannah Gutierrez-Reed gave them a bag of white powder that she assumed to be cocaine on the day that Halyna Hutchins was killed.

The crew member threw the bag in the garbage can in the hotel where they were staying and did not bring it up during initial questioning because she claimed she did not want to get “involved” in the investigation. The white bag of powder was never found and never identified to be cocaine, which is what the rookie armorer had been charged with. As such, she was found not guilty.

Even though she was acquitted of tampering with evidence, she could still face up to 18 months in prison as well as a fine of several thousand dollars. Her attorney, Jason Bowles, told TMZ last week that she has been having a tough time in the Santa Fe County Adult Detention Facility and that her family has yet to visit her.

Her attorney also made it clear that they plan to appeal the guilty involuntary manslaughter verdict, claiming that Halyna Hutchins’ death was a direct result of the negligence of “Rust” producers, including Alec Baldwin. Her attorneys argued that the live ammunition mix-up was a result of the armorer being overworked by production and having to split her time between being an armorer and a props master.

The day after the trial ended, Halyna Hutchins’ parents and sister released a statement through their attorney, Gloria Allred. Allred is also representing “Rust” script supervisor Mamie Mitchell in her own civil suit. Mitchell testified against Hannah Gutierrez-Reed in her March trial and is expected to testify against Alec Baldwin later this year.

"Halyna’s parents and her sister have always wanted everyone who is responsible for Halyna’s death to be held accountable," read a statement issued by Hutchins' family attorneys, Gloria Allred and John Carpenter.

"Today was the first trial and conviction in the criminal justice process. We are satisfied that the jury, based on the evidence, found Hannah Gutierrez-Reed guilty beyond a reasonable doubt for her part in the taking of Halyna’s life,” they continued. "We look forward to the justice system continuing to make sure that everyone else who is responsible for Halyna's death is required to face the legal consequences for their actions.”

Alec Baldwin’s trial is scheduled to begin on July 9, 2024.