Judge Stands Firm Against Last-Minute Challenges
State District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer made it clear during a virtual hearing that the trial for the involuntary manslaughter case of the “Rust” movie set weapons supervisor, in the tragic shooting incident involving Alec Baldwin, will not be delayed. She firmly addressed the special prosecutors and defense attorneys, emphasizing that no further motions would be entertained as the court readies for the trial next week.
Challenges Over Evidence Scope
Both sides presented last-minute challenges seeking to limit the evidence that could be presented to the jury. Defense attorneys accused prosecutors of compromising a crucial trial witness by sharing case-related text messages with a supplier for “Rust,” alleging that live ammunition found its way onto the set instead of dummy rounds. However, the judge ruled against the defense’s plea, stating that the shared texts were not crucial to the legal strategy.
Regulators’ Report Allowed in Trial
In a victory for the defense, the judge denied a request by prosecutors to exclude a scathing report from state regulators about the safety failures on the “Rust” shooting set. The report highlighted lapses in safety procedures, including the presence of live rounds and inadequate inventorying of ammunition. Defense argued that the report demonstrates negligence on the set, a point crucial to their case.
Upcoming Trial Focus
The trial is expected to focus on the origin of the live rounds that led to the tragic incident, with authorities recovering six live rounds during their investigation. Special prosecutors plan to present substantial evidence that the movie armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, unknowingly brought live rounds to the set. Defense attorneys countered with evidence suggesting another party was responsible for the live rounds.
Implications for Gutierrez-Reed and Baldwin
Gutierrez-Reed has pleaded not guilty to the involuntary manslaughter charge and faces potential jail time and fines if convicted. The outcome of this trial holds significant implications for Alec Baldwin, who has pleaded not guilty to the same charge and awaits a potential trial later this year. Baldwin has maintained that he believed the gun contained only dummy rounds and has denied responsibility for the tragic outcome.
