A New Mexico judge set conditions of release that allowed Gutierrez-Reed to keep a gun at home for self-defence. Her attorney told the judge his client has received numerous threats and was forced to file for a restraining order against a stalker. He said authorities released documents related to the case and failed to redact identifying information that included phone numbers.
District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies told the judge she adamantly opposed the request because of Gutierrez-Reed’s тАЬsloppy mishandling of firearms and gunsтАЭ on the set. She suggested Gutierrez-Reed could either move or keep a bat or pepper spray in her house instead.
Gutierrez-Reed’s attorney, Jason Bowles, challenged the district attorney’s characterisation and disputed the claim about sloppiness.
тАЬThere is no allegation that she is a danger to anyone having a firearm within her home and it’s for self-protection because of actions that the state took in releasing private information. That is the reason for that request,тАЭ he said.
In addition to allowing Gutierrez-Reed to have a gun at home, the judge ordered her not to have any contact with witnesses who might testify as part of the case.
A day earlier Baldwin agreed to forgo a hearing to have his rights explained to him and entered a plea of not guilty.
The judge allowed Baldwin to have limited contact with potential witnesses in connection with plans to complete the filming of тАЬRust.тАЭ Other provisions included a prohibition on consuming alcohol and against any possession of weapons, including firearms.
Work on тАЬRustтАЭ was halted with HutchinsтАЩ death. Rust Movie Productions says filming is expected to resume this spring, without the use of real weapons or ammunition.
The involuntary manslaughter charges against Baldwin, a lead actor and co-producer on тАЬRust,тАЭ and Gutierrez-Reed, the film’s armor, are punishable by up to 18 months in jail and a A$7500 fine under New Mexico law.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys are preparing for a likely preliminary hearing within a few months to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.
Authorities said Baldwin was pointing a pistol at Hutchins when the gun went off, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza.
BaldwinтАЩs attorney Luke Nikas said when the charges were announced that they were тАЬa terrible miscarriage of justice.тАЭ He said Baldwin relied on the professionals with whom he worked and тАЬhad no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun.тАЭ
Bowles had said the charges were the result of тАЬa very flawed investigation and an inaccurate understanding of the full facts.тАЭ He said he believed jurors will exonerate his client.
Prosecutors say assistant director David Halls, who oversaw safety on set, has signed an agreement to plead guilty in the negligent use of a deadly weapon, explaining that he may have handled the gun improperly before it was given to Baldwin.
A judge is scheduled to consider approval of the plea agreement in March. Halls waived his first appearance in court.
