• Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, Rust armorer convicted of involuntary manslaughter, was released from prison and will serve parole. Her expertise as a ‘Rust’ guns expert remains under scrutiny.
• She received an 18-month sentence and served at least 85% due to the seriousness of the case.
• Alec Baldwin faced legal charges but was not convicted after prosecutors dropped and dismissed his cases.

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the Rust film set, has been released from prison. She served time after a jury found her guilty of involuntary manslaughter. This verdict came from the 2021 shooting that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, where Hannah was the ‘Rust’ guns expert handling all firearms.

She left prison on Friday morning, according to a spokesperson from the New Mexico Corrections Department. She was released in Arizona. Gutierrez-Reed will live near the Nevada and California borders. She will stay under supervision from both probation and parole officers at the same time. The armorer must stay on parole for one year, as part of her sentence for the manslaughter conviction.

Details of Her Sentence and How She Served Time

In March 2024, a jury in New Mexico found Gutierrez-Reed guilty of involuntary manslaughter. The jury cleared her of tampering with evidence. At the time of the trial, she was 26 years old. The next month, a judge sentenced her to 18 months in prison, which was the maximum punishment, a notable event for someone titled a ‘Rust’ guns expert Hannah.

Most women in New Mexico prisons serve about 60% of their sentences. But the state requires people convicted of certain violent crimes to serve at least 85%. Although involuntary manslaughter does not always count as a serious violent crime, this case qualified for the 85% rule due to its specific circumstances.

Gutierrez-Reed earned some time off her sentence for good behavior. She received four days credit each month she behaved well. She also got 60 days credit for completing two phases of a residential addiction program. Additionally, she earned 40 days of pre-sentence credit for time spent in custody before her sentencing.

What Led to the Deadly Shooting on the Rust Set

The shooting happened at Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe County, New Mexico. Alec Baldwin held a prop revolver during a rehearsal for the Western film Rust. Suddenly, the gun fired a live round. It hit Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer, killing her instantly. Baldwin was rehearsing a scene when this tragic accident occurred.

Courtroom Drama and Arguments Against Gutierrez-Reed

Gutierrez-Reed denied any guilt and fought the charges in court. She sometimes cried during the trial. Prosecutor Kari T. Morrissey told the jury that Gutierrez-Reed acted with negligence. She called the armorer careless and thoughtless in her duties as the ‘Rust’ guns expert Hannah.

Joel Souza, the Rust director, who also suffered injuries during the shooting, said Gutierrez-Reed caused several failures in handling the firearms and blanks on set. He criticized her management of the weapons, calling it irresponsible.

Gutierrez-Reed’s Background and Family Ties in Hollywood

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is the daughter of Thell Reed, a well-known Hollywood armorer. Her family background gave her valuable experience with firearms in the film industry and led her to be recognized as a ‘Rust’ guns expert despite the intense scrutiny over her skills and safety practices.

The Impact of the Shooting and Movie Release

The fatal shooting halted the production of Rust for over two years. The film finally released just recently. Alec Baldwin stars in the Western drama and also serves as one of its producers. The tragedy left a permanent mark on the project and those involved.

Alec Baldwin’s Legal Challenges and Case Outcomes

New Mexico prosecutors charged Alec Baldwin twice with involuntary manslaughter. The first charge dropped in April 2023 without a trial. The second charge ended when a judge dismissed the case with prejudice. The judge ruled prosecutors hid evidence that could have affected the shooting investigation.

Baldwin had pleaded not guilty. When the judge dismissed the case, Baldwin broke down and cried in court. His legal battle ended without a conviction, but the incident involving Rust guns expert Hannah continues to affect his career and public image.