Actor Alec Baldwin just scored a major legal victory when “Rust” special prosecutor Andrea Reeb withdrew from the case on Tuesday.
Both “30 Rock” actress and “Rust” shield Hannah Gutierrez-Reed face two counts of involuntary manslaughter, which could result in up to eighteen months in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Special Prosecutor ‘Rust’ Quits To ‘Ensure Justice’ For Halyna Hutchins
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On Tuesday night, Deadline was among the first to report that Andrea Reeb had relinquished her position as special prosecutor in the “Rust” case, pursuing justice for slain “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Less than two weeks after Baldwin’s lawyers filed a motion to disqualify the special prosecutor, Reeb resigned himself. New Mexico’s First Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Mary Carmack-Altwies, issued a statement on his behalf.
“After much thought, I have made the difficult decision to step down as special prosecutor in the Rust case,” the statement said. “My priority in this case — and in every case I’ve been prosecuted in my 25-year career — is justice for the victims.”
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“However, it has become clear that the best way I can ensure justice is served in this case is to step back so the prosecution can focus on the evidence and facts, which clearly demonstrate a complete disregard for basic safety protocols that led to the death of Halyna Hutchins.”
“I will not allow questions about my service as a legislator and prosecutor to obscure the real issues,” the statement said. On Tuesday, court papers regarding Reeb’s resignation were officially filed in New Mexico state court.
It remains to be seen if a new special prosecutor will be appointed for the “Karat” case.
‘Rust’ Schedule Set, Witness List Set On 17th April
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Alec Baldwin requested and was granted a waiver from appearing at last week’s virtual hearing, which set the schedule for the “Rust” trial. On March 27, the court is scheduled to reconvene to hear Baldwin’s motion to disqualify Andrea Reeb. Now that he has withdrawn from the case, it looks like the next deadline will be April 17.
Baldwin’s legal team has argued that the prosecution needs to finalize its witness list, which has been amended five times now. “So we can make sure Mr. Baldwin has a fair opportunity to prepare for this, that the state identifies the exact subset of witnesses they intend to call,” Baldwin’s attorney, Alex Spiro, said at the hearing.
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“That will also allow us to tell and call the necessary witnesses that we need, that they don’t call or that we have to answer some of these allegations,” he added. Judge Mary Marlow Sommer agreed and ordered the DA to finalize the witness list by April 17.
In early May, the preliminary hearing of “Rust” will begin to see if there is enough evidence to charge both Alec Baldwin and “Rust” shield Hannah Gutierrez-Reed with the death of Halyna Hutchins. However, there are concerns about the condition of the weapon used in the fatal shooting.
Questions About ‘Rusty’ Gun Surfaces While Listening
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There are some questions about the 1880s prop gun used in the shooting, with attorney Alex Spiro claiming that the gun was “destroyed” at the last hearing, as previously reported by The Blast.
“The court, I don’t think I’m aware of this, but I thought I should tell the court that the firearms in this case, that’s a great subject, were destroyed by the government,” Spiro claimed. “So, that’s obviously an issue and we need to look at the firearm, or what’s left of it.”
Although the court did not address it during the hearing, a spokeswoman for New Mexico’s First Judicial District Attorney Heather Brewer issued a statement that night to say that the gun was still admissible as evidence.
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“The gun that Alec Baldwin used in the shooting that killed Halyna Hutchins has not been destroyed by the government,” Brewer told Deadline last Thursday. “The weapon is in evidence and available for review by the defense.”
“The defense’s unexpected statement in today’s status hearing that the gun was destroyed by the state may refer to a statement in the July 2022 FBI firearms test report that said damage was done to the firearm’s internal components during FBI functional testing. ,” added Brewer. “However, the gun still exists and can be used as evidence.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
