Alec Baldwin trial live updates: Testimony from 'Rust' armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed expected today (2024)

Judge dismisses Baldwin's trial

Sumiko Moots

Daniel Arkin

Sumiko Moots and Daniel Arkin

Morrissey, under cross-examination from Spiro, confirmed that her fellow special prosecutor Erlinda Ocampo Johnson resigned today.

Spiro asked Morrissey to explain why Ocampo Johnson stepped aside. Morrissey replied in part that her colleague "didn't agree with the decision to have a public hearing" into the defense team's motion to dismiss the case.

In an extraordinary moment, special prosecutor Kari Morrissey has called herself to the witness stand as the state attempts to rebut Baldwin's team's accusations that it hid evidence about ammunition.

Sommer reminded Morrissey that there is no requirement for her to testify under oath.

"I think it's a good idea that I do it," Morrissey replied.

Hanco*ck was testifying when Sommer interrupted and asked the sheriff's investigator whether Morrissey, the special prosecutor, was part of the conversation to put the disputed Colt .45 rounds in a separate file. Hanco*ck said yes.

Morrissey then told Sommer that she could testify under oath — and it sounded like the judge replied, "You're going to."

"Rust" firearms supplier Seth Kenney is off the witness stand. He was brought in to testify during a hearing where the judge is considering Baldwin's lawyer's motion to dismiss the case.

Kenney has denied having any role in the live ammunition reaching the "Rust" set, and he has not been charged with any wrongdoing.

Next up on the witness stand: Alexandria Hanco*ck, the lead sheriff's investigator.

The judge is now hearing testimony from Seth Kenney, the firearms supplier on "Rust."

But the jurors are not in the room. They were sent home for the weekend so the judge could consider Baldwin's lawyers' motion to dismiss the case. Kenney is testifying as part of a hearing over that motion.

In an explosive turn of events, the judge in the Alec Baldwin manslaughter trial has sent the jury home until Monday to work through a defense motion accusing the state of burying evidence concerning ammunition that a “good Samaritan” hand-delivered to a crime scene technician after the armorer’s trial.

The defense claimed the ammunition came from the “Rust” prop supplier Seth Kenney, owner of PDQ Props, and may be linked to the death of Halyna Hutchins.

The good Samaritan is former Arizona police officer Troy Teske, who happens to be a friend of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed’s father and veteran Hollywood armorer Thell Reed.

During Hannah Gutierrez-Reed’s trial, her defense claimed that the box of dummy rounds she was pulling from on the day of the shooting came from Kenney, but prosecutors dispelled those claims.

The state says the rounds that were later brought in by Teske do not match the rounds that were found on set because the primers are different colors. Prosecutor Kari Morrissey called the attempt to point blame at Kenney a “wild goose chase” by a man trying to protect his friend’s daughter.

Morrissey said the ammunition had no evidentiary value, but the defense said that that was not for her to decide and that she should’ve disclosed it to them.

The judge is now requesting to hear testimony from the Kenny and Gutierrez-Reed’s defense attorney, Jason Bowles.

The accusation could have major consequences, including a dismissal of Baldwin’s case or overturning Gutierrez-Reed’s conviction, if the judge rules in favor of the defense.

It’s unclear when the judge will make a decision, but it could happen as early as today.

Judge Sommer just called a recess for the day as she and the attorneys hash out an evidentiary motion. The jury has not heard any testimony today.

Sommer says Cpl. Alexandra Hanco*ck, who testified yesterday, will return to the stand when the jury is in the courtroom, and the owner of the company that provided firearms to the "Rust" set, Seth Kenney, will be questioned afterward.

Although the jury had been expected to return to the courtroom at 9:30 a.m. MT for the third day of Baldwin's trial, attorneys and Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer are reviewing whether certain evidence should be admitted.

The jury is not in the courtroom.

New Mexico prosecutors had planned to call “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed to the stand Friday in Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial. But her attorney, Jason Bowles, said he learned prosecutors may delay calling her to the witness stand.

Reed is servingan 18-month sentenceat the Western New Mexico Correctional Facility for her role in the shooting death of the film’s cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins. She has already been transferred to Santa Fe, where the trial is being held.