During a recent discussion, the case's defense and trial attorney, Misty Maris, shed light on the legal proceedings surrounding Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who is facing charges of involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence. The case hinges significantly on eyewitness accounts detailing Reed's history as an armorer leading up to the tragic incident on the movie set.
With a witness list comprising 40 individuals associated with the set, including Reed's stepfather, a renowned armorer, the trial is expected to delve into Reed's qualifications, training, and the safety standards on the set. The presence of live rounds on the set has raised critical questions about how they ended up there and the necessity for their use.
Prosecutors allege that Reed loaded the live round into the gun that ultimately led to the fatal shooting and that she brought six boxes of live rounds to the set. They further claim that Reed failed to verify the ammunition's safety, pointing to gross negligence. Allegations of potential drug and alcohol use have also surfaced, with text messages indicating discussions about drug use the night before the incident.
Pretrial motions have allowed prosecutors to introduce evidence of these conversations, adding complexity to the case. The absence of toxicology tests on the day of the shooting raises questions about proving Reed's sobriety. Jury selection poses another challenge, given the high-profile nature of the case and the involvement of actor Alec Baldwin, who also faces charges of involuntary manslaughter in a separate case.
Ensuring an impartial jury amidst widespread media coverage and public awareness of the case presents a significant hurdle. Prospective jurors will likely face inquiries about their views on drugs, firearms, and the movie industry to assess their impartiality. The legal proceedings surrounding Gutierrez-Reed's case continue to unfold, with the defense and prosecution preparing to present their arguments in court.
