Prosecutor seek court order to compel Hannah Gutierrez-Reed's testimony in Alec Baldwin's Rust trial

Alec Baldwin maintains his innocence and claims he never pulled the trigger.

In a recent development in the involuntary manslaughter case against actor Alec Baldwin, New Mexico prosecutors filed a motion on Monday, June 3, seeking a court order to compel the testimony of the movie's armourer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. Gutierrez-Reed was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in March for her role in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust in 2021.

Baldwin, who maintains his innocence and claims he never pulled the trigger, has listed Gutierrez-Reed as a potential witness for his defence. However, during a pre-trial interview, she invoked her Fifth Amendment right to remain silent.

Prosecutors are now requesting the court to grant Gutierrez-Reed "use immunity," which would protect her statements from being used against her in her ongoing appeal. This move aims to secure her testimony, which they believe will provide valuable insight into Baldwin's actions and knowledge of the gun's condition.

Legal experts believe that Gutierrez-Reed's testimony could be crucial for both the prosecution and the defence. Prosecutors claim she would testify about Baldwin's alleged inattentiveness and emotional outbursts during firearms training, while Baldwin's team hopes to use her previous statements accepting responsibility to bolster his defence.

Jason Bowles, an attorney for Gutierrez-Reed, has indicated to PEOPLE that his intention to oppose the motion. Attorneys for Baldwin have not yet commented on the matter. The court will soon hold a hearing to determine whether Gutierrez-Reed will be compelled to testify, a decision that could significantly impact the outcome of Baldwin's trial.