A New Mexico judge's ruling keeps the involuntary manslaughter case against Hannah Gutierrez intact despite her legal team's efforts to have it thrown out.

ABC News reports that Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer has declined to dismiss the case against Hannah Gutierrez, the armorer for the film "Rust," who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

The ruling addressed motions filed by Gutierrez's defense team, which sought either a dismissal of the case or a new trial. Her attorneys cited "egregious prosecutorial misconduct" and "severe and ongoing discovery violations by the State" as grounds for their requests. However, Judge Marlowe Sommer determined that the issues raised did not warrant a new trial or dismissal.

Judge's Decision Contrasts With Baldwin Case

Judge Marlowe Sommer's ruling in Gutierrez's case stands in stark contrast to her earlier decision regarding actor Alec Baldwin. In July, the judge dismissed Baldwin's case with prejudice, citing the state's failure to disclose crucial ammunition evidence in a timely manner.

The judge emphasized that in Gutierrez's situation, the state did not suppress the ammunition evidence that led to Baldwin's case dismissal. This distinction played a significant role in the judge's decision to maintain the conviction against Gutierrez.

Gutierrez's defense attorney, Jason Bowles, argued that the significance of the suppressed items was "favorable and material" to his client's case. He drew parallels between the discovery issues in Gutierrez's case and those in Baldwin's, suggesting that both cases suffered from similar patterns of discovery abuse.

Prosecution Refutes Defense Claims

Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey countered the defense's arguments, stating that Gutierrez and her lawyer had possession of the ammunition evidence during the trial but chose not to use it. Morrissey asserted that this strategic decision by the defense team should not serve as grounds for a new trial.

Morrissey further argued that other evidence cited by the defense was not material to the case. She maintained that the state did not intentionally withhold evidence, attributing any issues to the vast amount of discovery involved in the case, which she described as a "terabyte of discovery" with new information "coming in constantly."

In her order, Judge Marlowe Sommer acknowledged that while the state did suppress certain pieces of evidence, including an interview with Seth Kenney (the owner of the prop firearms supplier for "Rust") and a report from firearm expert Luke Haag, the defense failed to establish that this evidence was material to the case.

Ammunition Evidence Central To Ruling

The judge's decision hinged largely on the handling of ammunition evidence. Marlowe Sommer found that the state did not suppress or fail to provide Gutierrez with evidence that could have been favorable to her case, as the live rounds in question were available to her and her defense team before and during the trial.

The ammunition in question was brought to the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office by Troy Teske, a retired officer and friend of Gutierrez's father, at the conclusion of Gutierrez's trial. This evidence, which the prosecution claimed had no evidentiary value in either Gutierrez's or Baldwin's cases, became a point of contention in both proceedings.

Judge Marlowe Sommer also determined that the state could not have suppressed other evidence related to the ammunition, such as the sheriff's office's supplemental report and lapel footage of Teske at the sheriff's office, as these items were not created until on or after the final day of Gutierrez's trial.

Implications For Ongoing Legal Proceedings

The ruling against Gutierrez's motion for dismissal or a new trial solidifies her conviction and 18-month prison sentence, which was handed down in April 2024. This decision comes as a significant blow to Gutierrez's legal team, who had filed an appeal in May.

The case stems from the tragic incident on the set of "Rust" in October 2021, where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot when a revolver held by Alec Baldwin discharged a live round. Prosecutors argued during Gutierrez's March trial that she was the source of the live bullet and had failed to follow proper safety protocols in handling firearms on set.

This latest development in the "Rust" saga underscores the complex legal landscape surrounding the incident. While Alec Baldwin's case was dismissed, Gutierrez remains convicted, highlighting each case's differing circumstances and evidence considerations.

Why This Story Matters

This case underscores critical considerations about safety protocols on film sets and the resulting implications when they are breached. It touches on the accountability of individuals handling lethal equipment and sheds light on the deeper legal intricacies when errors lead to tragic consequences.

Moreover, the public and industry stakeholders watch closely how justice navigates through complex, high-profile allegations, shaping broader discussions around liability and professional diligence in creative workspaces.

Conclusion

Judge Marlowe Sommer's decision to uphold Gutierrez's conviction maintains her 18-month prison sentence for involuntary manslaughter. The ruling emphasizes the distinction between the handling of evidence in Gutierrez's case versus Baldwin's, with the judge determining that the state did not suppress critical ammunition evidence in Gutierrez's proceedings. This decision marks a significant moment in the ongoing legal aftermath of the tragic "Rust" shooting incident.