Armorer Seeks Conviction Dismissal in 'Rust' Shooting Case

Hannah Gutierrez, the armorer involved in the 2021 'Rust' shooting, has filed a motion for her conviction to be dismissed following the dropping of charges against Alec Baldwin. The motion claims that evidence was withheld by prosecutors. A successful motion could unravel the criminal prosecution concerning Halyna Hutchins' death.

Hannah Gutierrez, the armorer imprisoned for the 2021 'Rust' shooting, has filed a motion to dismiss her conviction after charges against actor Alec Baldwin were dropped due to prosecutors withholding evidence linked to the fatal incident.

A lawyer representing Gutierrez argued that the concealed evidence, including live rounds and other critical information, justifies either a dismissal of her conviction or a new trial. If successful, it would signify a complete collapse of New Mexico's criminal case against both Gutierrez and Baldwin for the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

This development follows the dismissal of charges against Baldwin last Friday, after a judge determined that prosecutors had intentionally hidden live rounds handed over to police, which could identify the source of the round that killed Hutchins. The fatal incident occurred when a live round was inadvertently fired from Baldwin's gun, loaded by Gutierrez, on a movie set near Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Gutierrez's attorney, Jason Bowles, noted that he had contacted state prosecutor Kari Morrissey in January to request FBI testing of the live rounds provided to police on March 6—the same day Gutierrez was convicted. Morrissey reportedly declined, stating the rounds appeared different from those found on the 'Rust' set.

Three rounds provided by Troy Teske, a friend of Gutierrez's stepfather Thell Reed, matched live rounds found on the set. Bowles also highlighted other instances of prosecutorial misconduct, including undisclosed interviews and reports.

Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer is expected to schedule a hearing to consider Gutierrez's motion to dismiss.

(With inputs from agencies.)