Special prosecutor Andrea Reeb resigned on
March 15 after a legal challenge by lawyers for actor Alec
Baldwin, who has also been charged in the 2021 shooting. Baldwin
has pleaded not guilty to an involuntary manslaughter charge,
and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is expected to do the same.
Should Gutierrez-Reed stop the appointment of a new special
prosecutor, it would mark another setback for the state's
prosecution after a series of legal fumbles.
Reeb, a Republican state representative, was forced to step down
after Baldwin's defense argued it was illegal to serve two
branches of New Mexico state government simultaneously.
Gutierrez-Reed's lawyer Jason Bowles on Friday filed a motion
saying it was unlawful to appoint a special prosecutor because
Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, already a
co-prosecutor, could handle the case. A hearing scheduled for
Monday will consider the motion.
Carmack-Altwies, who appointed Reeb, in a separate filing said
she was entitled to appoint a new special prosecutor given the
"magnitude" of the case and her existing workload.
Hutchins was killed and "Rust" director Joel Souza injured when
a revolver Baldwin was rehearsing with fired a live round.
"Rust" was only the second film on which Gutierrez-Reed worked
as chief weapons handler.
The most serious count of involuntary manslaughter against
Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed was dropped after defense lawyers
said a law underpinning the charge was passed after Hutchins was
killed.
Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed face a preliminary hearing on May 3
when a judge will rule whether there is probable cause to try
them.
"Rust" first assistant director Dave Halls reached a plea deal
for a misdemeanor charge and has a hearing on March 31.
(Reporting By Andrew Hay; editing by Donna Bryson and Cynthia
Osterman)
(Photo: View of the "Rust" movie set at Bonanza Creek Ranch near
Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S., January 20, 2023. REUTERS/Drone
Base)
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