Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the movie armorer involved in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust,” is challenging her conviction for involuntary manslaughter. The incident, which took place during a rehearsal in October 2021 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, has led to Gutierrez-Reed’s recent conviction. In light of this, she has filed for a new trial, citing concerns over the clarity of jury instructions that contributed to her conviction. Gutierrez-Reed’s lawyers have also filed an emergency motion requesting her release from prison pending the new trial proceedings.

The focus on Gutierrez-Reed’s role in the tragedy is part of a broader legal examination of the incident, which also sees actor Alec Baldwin facing a trial in July after pleading not guilty to involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors have argued that Gutierrez-Reed brought live ammunition onto the set and failed to adhere to safety protocols, contributing significantly to the accident.

As Gutierrez-Reed awaits her sentencing, scheduled for April 15, with a potential maximum penalty of 18 months in prison and a £3,900 fine, her defense team is questioning the jury instructions based on a precedent from a different trial. This legal challenge occurs alongside Baldwin’s own move to have his charges dismissed, citing prosecutorial misconduct and an unfair grand jury process.

The fatal shooting has sparked widespread discussion regarding safety practices on film sets and the need for more stringent regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future. Both the legal and film communities are closely watching the outcomes of these trials, as they may have far-reaching implications for on-set safety and accountability.