'Rust' armorer Gutierrez-Reed must remain in prison during appeal, judge rules

"Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed must remain incarcerated while she appeals her involuntary manslaughter conviction related to a fatal on-set shooting, a judge ruled Friday.

In 2021, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins sustained a fatal gunshot wound when actor Alec Baldwin pointed a loaded prop gun at her. The firearm discharged, though Baldwin has denied pulling the trigger. Hutchins was convicted earlier this month of involuntary manslaughter over the incident.

Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer on Friday her request for a new trial and ordered that she remain in prison throughout the appeal, The Hill reported. Gutierrez-Reed has not yet received a sentence.

"Keep in mind there was a death that the jury determined was caused by her so I’m not releasing her," Sommer said Friday.

Baldwin was indicted in January on an involuntary manslaughter charge and has pleaded not guilty. In October of 2022, he settled a civil suit with Matthew Hutchins, the widower of the late cinematographer, to complete the film, which remains unreleased.

"All of us believe Halyna's death was a terrible accident. I am grateful that the producers and the entertainment community have come together to pay tribute to Halyna's final work," Matthew Hutchins said at the time.

The firearm's discharge also resulted in the wounding of director Joel Souza.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.