(Scypre.com) – Prosecutors have filed a new charge against Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the armorer for the movie “Rust,” accusing her of tampering with evidence by passing off drugs.
This charge is in addition to her previous charge of involuntary manslaughter in relation to the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on October 21, 2021.
Gutierrez Reed was responsible for handling the firearms on the set of “Rust” when actor Alec Baldwin accidentally fired a gun, resulting in Hutchins’ death.
According to the recently obtained court document, Gutierrez Reed is accused of intentionally transferring narcotics to someone else with the purpose of evading her own apprehension, prosecution, or conviction.
In response to the new charge, Gutierrez Reed’s lawyer, Jason Bowles, criticized the move, describing it as retaliatory and vindictive.
Bowles expressed surprise that the special prosecutor introduced a completely new charge without providing prior notice or presenting witness statements, lab reports, or evidence to support it.
He also highlighted concerns raised by the investigator, who was let go by the state, regarding the investigation.
The latest court document does not provide any additional details regarding the charge.
While Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter charges have been dropped, Gutierrez Reed now faces this new charge.
Special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis made the decision to drop Baldwin’s charges in April due to the emergence of new information that required further investigation.
They explained that the necessary investigation and forensic analysis could not be completed before Baldwin’s preliminary hearing, which was scheduled for May 3.
The case has been closed in the First Judicial District Court of New Mexico, but Baldwin could potentially face new charges in the future.
He is currently facing several civil lawsuits, including one from “Rust” script supervisor Mamie Mitchell and another from Hutchins’ mother, father, and sister. These plaintiffs are represented by attorney Gloria Allred.
Allred emphasized that they are committed to holding Baldwin accountable for the tragic incident, asserting that he pointed a loaded gun at Hutchins, pulled the trigger, and caused her death. She stated that Baldwin cannot evade responsibility by pretending to be just an actor and running away to Montana.
Despite the legal challenges, filming for the movie “Rust” was completed in May, with Baldwin expressing relief and congratulating the director Joel Souza, and cinematographer Bianca Cline, referring to the process as a long and difficult road that has finally reached its end.