Detective cites proof ‘Rust’ armorer introduced reside rounds on set

By Andrew Hay

(Reuters) – A New Mexico detective on Wednesday mentioned Hannah Gutierrez recognized an ammunition field and bandoliers as hers, boosting the prosecution principle that the armorer introduced reside rounds onto the of set “Rust” the place a cinematographer was fatally shot.

Current testimony throughout Gutierrez’s involuntary manslaughter trial has seen prosecutors zero in on how six reside rounds – strictly forbidden on film units – bought onto the manufacturing the place Halyna Hutchins was shot useless by actor Alec Baldwin on Oct. 21, 2021. Baldwin has pleaded not responsible to involuntary manslaughter. His trial is scheduled for July 10.

Detective Alexandra Hancock testified that in a Nov. 9, 2021 police interview with Gutierrez, which jurors had been proven, the weapons handler recognized an ammunition field she drew a reside spherical from as one she introduced on set and mentioned she offered bandoliers through which police discovered reside rounds.

“There’s numerous issues,” Santa Fe County Sherrifs Workplace Corporal Alexandra Hancock testified when requested by a particular prosecutor to record the “circumstancial proof” she mentioned she discovered that Gutierrez introduced the reside rounds.

Hutchins died after Gutierrez unknowingly loaded one of many reside rounds right into a revolver Baldwin was rehearsing with. The gun fired as Baldwin pointed it at Hutchins, additionally wounding director Joel Souza

In cross examination, Gutierrez’s lawyer Jason Bowles pointed to his consumer’s remark in an Oct. 21, 2021 police interview that her ammunition got here from props provider Seth Kenney.

Bowles requested Hancock whether or not she had tried to seek out invoices to indicate Kenney offered ammunition to Gutierrez’s earlier manufacturing “The Previous Manner.” Gutierrez mentioned she introduced two containers of dummy rounds and bandoliers utilized in “The Previous Manner” to “Rust.”

Hancock replied that she had not.

Hancock mentioned she discovered no proof Kenney offered the reside rounds discovered on “Rust.” Kenney has not been charged and is about to testify on Monday within the two-week trial.

Gutierrez has pleaded not responsible to involuntary manslaughter and proof tampering. She may withstand three years in jail if convicted of each.

(Reporting By Andrew Hay; modifying by Donna Bryson and David Gregorio)