Jury selected
Trial begins after “Rust” fatal shot
Film crew members had complained about negligence and lack of safety on set. photo
© Jae C. Hong/AP/dpa
How could a shot go off on a US film set from a weapon that wasn’t supposed to have live ammunition? A weapons master is now on trial.
Two and a half years after the death of a camerawoman on the film set of the western “Rust”. Alec Baldwin can start the first criminal trial in the case. At the start of the trial in Santa Fe (New Mexico) against master-at-arms Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, twelve jurors – seven men and five women – as well as four substitute jurors were selected on Wednesday, a court spokesman announced.
Gutierrez-Reed, who was partly responsible for the weapons and security measures during the filming, is charged with involuntary manslaughter. The procedure takes around two weeks. After jury selection, the prosecution and defense made opening statements. Dozens of witnesses and experts could be called in the trial. If found guilty, the weapons master could face up to 18 months in prison.
Alec Baldwin also charged
Lead actor and producer Alec Baldwin (65), who operated the revolver that fired the fatal shot during rehearsals for a film scene, is also charged with negligent homicide. The trial against the actor could begin this summer; an exact date is not yet known. Both have repeatedly denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.
The serious incident occurred in October 2021 at the Bonanza Creek Ranch in New Mexico. Camerawoman Halyna Hutchins (42) was fatally hit by the projectile and director Joel Souza was injured in the shoulder. Film crew members had complained about negligence and lack of safety on set. The then 24-year-old armorer had little professional experience and was overwhelmed, it was said.
Lawyer speaks of “damage to reputation”
Last year, the public prosecutor also brought alcohol and drug consumption into play as contributing factors. Gutierrez-Reed may have been hungover when she handled weapons on set, the prosecution alleged. She is also said to have passed cocaine on to someone in order to get rid of possible evidence in the investigation. Gutierrez-Reed’s lawyer, Jason Bowles, spoke at the time of damage to his reputation.
A key question in the trial revolves around how the live ammunition ended up on the set. In addition to so-called harmless dummy cartridges, the investigators also found real cartridges at the filming location. Gutierrez-Reed had loaded the revolver, which was then handed to Baldwin. The prosecution accuses her of not checking the ammunition carefully.