Movie Weapons Supervisor Pleads Not Guilty to Manslaughter in Fatal Shooting by Alec Baldwin

Movie Weapons Supervisor Pleads Not Guilty to Manslaughter in Fatal Shooting by Alec Baldwin
The movie set of "Rust" at Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe, N.M., on Oct. 23, 2021. Jae C. Hong/AP Photo
The Associated Press
Updated:
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SANTA FE, N.M.—The woman who oversaw the use of weapons on the movie set where Alec Baldwin fatally shot a cinematographer has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence, New Mexico court officials said.

Movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed waived her right to an arraignment on the charges in the 2021 shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western movie “Rust,” officials said Wednesday.

A state district judge tentatively scheduled a trial for December.

A defense attorney for Ms. Gutierrez-Reed has characterized it a tragic accident and says the weapons specialist committed no crime. Prosecutors allege Ms. Gutierrez-Reed was negligent in the handling of firearms and ammunition on the set.

“Rust” safety coordinator and assistant director David Halls has pleaded no contest to a charge of unsafe handling of a firearm and received a suspended sentence of six months’ probation.

In April, prosecutors dropped charges against Mr. Baldwin, who was pointing a gun at Hutchins when it went off, killing her and injuring director Joel Souza.

By Morgan Lee