Rust Movie Armorer Can’t Be Compelled to Testify in Baldwin Trial, Judge Rules

A New Mexico judge denied a request Friday to use immunity to compel a movie set armorer to testify at actor Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial for the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on a movie set for the Western film “Rust.” Earlier this year, armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prison for her part in the 2021 shooting death of Halyna Hutchins. Her statements to investigators and workplace safety regulators are expected to weigh heavily in Mr. Baldwin’s trial. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer rejected the prosecution’s motion to force Ms. Gutierrez-Reed’s testimony after learning that she intended to invoke her Fifth Amendment right if called to the stand. The judge said other witnesses could fill in most of the gaps....