The special prosecutor for Rust’s high-profile shooting case, Andrea Reeb, resigns.
The ruling is the latest setback in New Mexico’s case against actor Alec Baldwin for the accidental shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in October 2021 on the set of Rust, a western film.
Baldwin’s legal team filed a motion requesting that Reeb be removed due to their conflicting roles.
The actor was charged this year with police officer Hannah Gutierrez Reed with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the fatal shooting of Hutchins at a movie ranch near Santa Fe, NM. Baldwin denied responsibility for the death, citing the actions of other crew members.
Baldwin’s attorneys argued that the New Mexico Constitution barred Reeb — a Republican legislator — from holding a position in the judiciary and the executive branch of government at the same time.
“It has become clear that the best way for me to ensure that justice is done in this case is to step down so that prosecutors can focus on the evidence and facts that clearly show that basic security protocols have been completely ignored, which led to the death of Halyna Hutchins.” Reeb said in a statement. “I will not allow questions about my work as a legislator and prosecutor to obscure the real issue.”
Documents confirming the dismissal are being filed with the court, said Heather Brewer, spokeswoman for Mary Carmack-Altwies, New Mexico’s 1st Judicial District Attorney.
Last month, Baldwin’s lawyers successfully persuaded the courts to drop charges against the actor. They argued that a firearms enhancement punishment was wrongly charged with a mandatory prison sentence.
Baldwin faces an 18-month prison sentence if convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
Reeb, a former district attorney from eastern New Mexico, became part of the “Rust” prosecution team last summer while campaigning for a seat in the New Mexico legislature. The Republican was elected to her first term in November; She assumed her role in the New Mexico legislature on January 1.
Baldwin’s lawyers argued that such a role could allow politicians to influence prosecutors.
“A prosecutor who also acts as a lawmaker may be pressured to make prosecution decisions that serve her legislative interests, Baldwin’s February said. read movement.
Baldwin has become a lightning rod for political conservatives since mocking President Trump on NBC’s Saturday Night Live. The prominent Democrat is as famous for his impressions of Trump as he is for his roles in the award-winning movie Glengarry Glen Ross and TV sitcom 30 Rock.
Lawyers for Baldwin and Gutierrez Reed declined to comment.
Baldwin’s legal team recently expanded to include Alex Spiro representing him Elon Musk and played a critical role in the acquisition of Twitter. Spiro joined the case with John Bash, a former Trump-appointed U.S. attorney for Texas.
Carmack-Altwies still has to convince the court that she has enough arguments to go to court.
Meg James, a Times contributor, contributed to this report.
Source: LA Times