During the cross-examination by defense attorney Alex Spiro, crime scene technician Marissa Poppell revealed crucial information regarding the investigation into the tragic shooting incident involving armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed.
Poppell testified that following Gutierrez Reed's guilty verdict in March, a retired police officer visited the sheriff's office and handed over ammunition obtained from prop supplier Seth Kenney. The ammunition, identified as .45 caliber rounds, was specifically directed to be documented by Poppell.
However, Poppell noted that these rounds were stored separately from the other evidence related to the 'Rust' movie set incident. Surprisingly, these rounds were not sent to the FBI for testing, raising questions about the thoroughness of the investigation.
One of the most concerning aspects of Poppell's testimony was her uncertainty regarding the potential connection between the .45 caliber rounds and the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, as well as the injury sustained by director Joel Souza. Poppell admitted that she does not know if these rounds match the one that caused the tragic outcome on the movie set.
This revelation adds a new layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation and raises doubts about the handling of critical evidence in the case. The decision not to send the .45 caliber rounds for testing, despite their potential significance, has sparked concerns about the thoroughness and accuracy of the investigative process.
As the trial unfolds, the significance of this new information will likely be closely scrutinized by both the prosecution and the defense. The revelation of the untested ammunition raises important questions about the integrity of the investigation and the pursuit of justice for the victims of this tragic incident.
