On Monday, a business owner involved in supplying prop firearms for the movie “Rust” testified in court, denying ever providing live ammunition to the production. The testimony aimed to counter the prosecution’s attempt to prove manslaughter charges against the film’s armorer.
During his testimony, Seth Kenney, the owner of PDQ Arm & Prop in Albuquerque, New Mexico, emphasized his commitment to ensuring the safety of the independent Western production. He made it a point to verify that no live ammunition was ever provided to armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed.
According to ABC News, he clarified that he merely sent boxes of dummy rounds, ensuring that they made a rattling sound, unlike live ammunition.
“I never send out any dummy rounds that don’t rattle,” he emphasized.
Gutierrez-Reed, who is 26 years old, is currently on trial in Santa Fe, facing charges of involuntary manslaughter. Baldwin, on the other hand, is also facing the same charges and is scheduled to stand trial in July. It is important to note that both individuals have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
Investigators initially centered their attention on Kenney as the potential origin of the live ammunition found on the set of “Rust.” Gutierrez-Reed’s defense attorneys have even suggested that Kenney might be held accountable for Hutchins’ tragic death.
According to Deadline, police did not find any live rounds in Kenney’s Albuquerque shop that resembled the ones found on the “Rust” set during their investigation.
According to the publication, Kenney testified on Monday about the strained relationship between himself and Gutierrez-Reed. He mentioned that Gutierrez-Reed is the daughter of his long-time friend, Thell Reed, who works as a Hollywood movie armorer.
After Hutchins’ death, he felt that the pair was trying to shift the responsibility for the accident onto him.
Kenney expressed his familiarity with Thell and their years-long friendship, highlighting Thell’s deep affection for his daughter.
