Prosecutors Question How Live Rounds Got onto 'Rust' Set in Manslaughter Trial

During the fourth day of armorer Hannah Gutierrez's manslaughter trial, a detective revealed that the live round used in the fatal shooting of "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins did not come from the ammunition box provided by a props supplier. The detective stated that Gutierrez was mistaken when she claimed the live round came from the box.

Video Evidence

Jurors viewed a video of a police interview with Gutierrez on October 21, 2021, the day of the tragic incident. In the video, Gutierrez mentioned that the white cardboard box from which she drew the live round had been provided by props supplier Seth Kenney a week earlier. However, during the trial, it was revealed that this statement was incorrect.

Conflicting Statements

During a later interview on November 9, 2021, Gutierrez admitted to bringing the box on set but suggested that the tray of rounds inside it could have been switched from another box. This conflicting information has raised questions about how the live rounds were introduced to the set.

Responsibility and Safety

Gutierrez's lawyers argue that she is being made the scapegoat for a rushed production in which safety protocols were overlooked. Actor Alec Baldwin has emphasized that firearms safety was the responsibility of weapons handlers, not the actors, while producers deny overlooking Gutierrez's requests for extra firearms training for Baldwin.

Medical Examiner's Testimony

During the trial, medical examiner Heather Jarrell testified that medics incorrectly inserted a breathing tube into Hutchins and that it took 1-1/2 hours to get her to a hospital. When asked if Hutchins could have survived with speedier treatment, Jarrell acknowledged that it was "potentially" possible.

"Live rounds have been forbidden on movie sets for over a century. Prosecutors allege Gutierrez was unprofessional and unknowingly brought six live rounds on set and failed to spot them." - New Mexico state prosecutor Kari Morrissey

As the trial progresses, more details about the events leading up to the tragic shooting on the set of "Rust" continue to emerge, shedding light on the factors that contributed to the devastating loss of life.