Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, Steve Bannon, and Neculai Paizan are involved in legal battles with appeals, upheld convictions, and denials in significant cases including the ‘Rust’ film set shooting incident, contempt of Congress, and a murder case in the UK.
Appeal Filed in “Rust” Film Set Shooting Incident
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer convicted of involuntary manslaughter for her role in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins by actor Alec Baldwin during the filming of the movie “Rust,” is appealing her conviction. The incident occurred on the set of the Western film in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Gutierrez-Reed is currently serving an 18-month sentence at a New Mexico penitentiary for women. The appeal, filed by her defense attorney, comes within the 30-day window allowed for submitting detailed arguments.
Prosecutors held Gutierrez-Reed responsible for inadvertently bringing live ammunition onto a set where it was banned and for not adhering to essential gun-safety protocols. Baldwin, who was holding the gun when it discharged, has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter. His trial is set for July 2024.
Steve Bannon’s Contempt of Congress Conviction Upheld
Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon is expected to begin serving a four-month prison sentence after a federal appeals court upheld his conviction for contempt of Congress. Bannon was convicted in July 2022 for defying a subpoena issued by the House January 6 select committee. US District Judge Carl Nichols, who initially paused Bannon’s sentence pending appeal, has given him until Thursday to respond to the Justice Department’s request to begin his term of imprisonment.
Neculai Paizan’s Appeal Denied in Murder Case
Neculai Paizan, convicted of murdering Agnes Dora Akom in a shipping container in Brent, northwest London, in May 2021, has had his appeal bid denied. Paizan was sentenced in July 2022 to life in prison with a minimum of 22 years. The Court of Appeal dismissed his claims of trial misconduct, including the behavior of a juror and his own health concerns, as “poorly evidenced or irrelevant.” Paizan initially claimed self-defense but later changed his story during the trial.
These cases present ongoing developments in significant legal proceedings, reflecting ongoing judicial processes in the US and UK.
Key Details:
- Hannah Gutierrez-Reed: Appeals involuntary manslaughter conviction (Santa Fe, NM).
- Steve Bannon: Upheld contempt of Congress conviction, four-month sentence requested to commence.
- Neculai Paizan: Appeal denied for murder conviction, serving life sentence.