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A New Mexico judge on Monday refused to dismiss the involuntary manslaughter conviction of "Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed or grant a new trial, despite her claims of prosecutorial misconduct in the high-profile case. The decision comes after allegations that suppressed evidence sank the state's case against actor Alec Baldwin, who was also charged in connection with the 2021 shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Gutierrez-Reed Rust Armor Trial : No New Trial or Immediate Release

First Judicial District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled that Gutierrez-Reed failed to show how any of the allegedly suppressed evidence would have changed the outcome of her trial. Gutierrez-Reed was convicted in March and is currently serving an 18-month sentence. Her request for immediate release during her appeal was also denied, with Judge Sommer noting that her arguments downplayed the severity of her crime.

Allegations of Prosecutorial Misconduct

Gutierrez-Reed's legal team had argued that the prosecution suppressed key evidence, including a forensic report on the damage to the trigger mechanism of Baldwin's gun and an interview with a witness who supplied props to "Rust." However, Judge Sommer found that this evidence, while undisclosed, was not material enough to affect the trial's outcome.

The judge’s decision contrasts with Baldwin’s case, which was dismissed in July after it was revealed that special prosecutor Kari Morrissey had withheld potentially exculpatory evidence, including ammunition that could have clarified how live rounds ended up on set.

Gutierrez-Reed Rust Armor Trial : Fatal Shooting on the Set of "Rust"

Prosecutors alleged that Gutierrez-Reed was negligent in her role as armorer on the Rust set, where Baldwin accidentally fired a live round, killing Hutchins. Gutierrez-Reed was accused of improperly loading live ammunition into Baldwin's revolver. The state argued that she brought live ammunition to the set, a claim Gutierrez-Reed denies.

During the trial, the jury heard evidence of a mass exodus of employees from the production due to safety concerns, as well as testimony about Gutierrez-Reed’s alleged failure to properly oversee weapons safety on set.

Suppressed Evidence and Legal Arguments

A key issue in Gutierrez-Reed's appeal was the suppression of ammunition evidence. The defense knew about ammunition provided by retired officer Troy Teske, but chose not to introduce it, citing concerns about tampering with the chain of custody. Prosecutors argued the evidence was not relevant, as the rounds were dissimilar to the live ammunition used on set.