Prosecutors in the 'Rust' shooting case presented jurors with text messages showing armorer Hannah Guiterrez-Reid had been using drugs the day before the fatal shooting scene.
In the shooting, Alec Baldwin fired live ammunition from a prop gun that was not supposed to contain live ammunition, killing 42-year-old Halina Hutchins. Guiterrez-Reid was in charge of the firearms on set. Prosecutors showed text messages in court Friday that showed Hutchins allegedly smoking marijuana the night before she was killed, according to reports. variety.
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One of the texts was sent by Guiterrez-Reed to a fellow crew member on October 20, 2021.
“Yeah, I might go smoke a cigarette in the Jacuzzi soon, but maybe not because I poop so bad,” Gutierrez-Reid wrote, according to Variety.
“Went down to High Outback :b,” she wrote in a side text.
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The crew member and Ms. Guiterrez-Reid reportedly shared additional text messages throughout the night, one of which showed her confirming that she had allegedly used drugs that night. It seems like it was something. Her castmate wrote, “How was your flaming session?” According to Variety, Gutierrez-Reed replied, “I still smoke.”
Prosecutors' case centered on Gutierrez-Reed's alleged carelessness and lack of attentiveness on set. They argued that her lack of professionalism led to Hutchins' death.
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Judge Mary Marlow Sommer allowed prosecutors to introduce a limited number of text messages during the pretrial hearing that referenced the armorer's alleged drug use. According to Variety, prosecutors argued that Gutierrez-Reed was smoking marijuana while in possession of the ammunition used at the scene of the shooting. (Related: Groundbreaking new footage from 'The Last' set shows Alec Baldwin in a new light)
Gutierrez-Reed faces up to three years in prison if convicted of both manslaughter and evidence tampering.
