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The decision by special prosecutor Andrea Reeb
came a month after Baldwin's attorney filed a motion to remove
her because she is also a representative in the state
legislature. The Baldwin team argued it violates the state
constitution for a legislator to serve in another branch of
government.
Baldwin on Feb. 23 entered a not guilty plea to a charge of
involuntary manslaughter.
Two others have been charged. Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed will
plead not guilty to involuntary manslaughter, her lawyer has
said. Assistant Director Dave Hall has pleaded not guilty to a
misdemeanor weapons charge.
"The best way I can ensure justice is served in this case is to
step down so that the prosecution can focus on the evidence and
the facts, which clearly show a complete disregard for basic
safety protocols led to the death of Halyna Hutchins," Reeb said
in a statement. "I will not allow questions about my serving as
a legislator and prosecutor to cloud the real issue at hand."
Mary Carmack-Altwies, New Mexico's First Judicial District
Attorney, did not immediately say who would replace Reeb and
declined comment except to say paperwork on Reeb's removal had
been filed with the court.
Baldwin's lawyer, Luke Nikas, referred through a spokesperson to
his motion to disqualify Reeb under the New Mexico
constitution's separation-of-powers provision.
The prosecution initially charged Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed
with a firearm enhancement that was later dropped, reducing
their possible prison sentence from a minimum of five years to a
maximum of 18 months.
Gutierrez-Reed has blamed the shooting on potential sabotage,
Baldwin's lack of firearms training, and a failure by Halls and
Baldwin to call her onto set for extra firearm checks.
(Reporting by Daniel Trotta; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
(Photo: Actor Alec Baldwin departs his home in New York, U.S.,
January 31, 2023. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado)
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