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Prosecutor Overseeing Alec Baldwin ‘Rust’ Charges Steps Down From Case

03/30/2023
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Topline

The New Mexico district attorney overseeing the criminal prosecutions of Rust actor Alec Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed for a fatal 2021 on-set shooting stepped down from the case Wednesday, the second prosecutor to depart the high-profile case.

Key Facts

Mary Carmack-Altwies, the elected D.A. overseeing the case, appointed New Mexico attorneys Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis to serve as special prosecutors in the case to ensure “everyone is held accountable under the law.”

Carmack-Altwies will focus on the “broader public safety needs” in her New Mexico district, which includes the capital of Santa Fe, Heather Brewer, spokesperson for the First New Mexico Judicial District Attorney’s office, said in a statement.

Earlier this week, Carmack-Altwies requested to stay involved in the case and appoint a special prosecutor, but the request was challenged by Gutierrez-Reed’s attorneys, who said the arrangement would be illegal under New Mexico law, ABC News reported, adding that the judge overseeing the case indicated Monday she planned to deny the request.

Baldwin has pleaded not guilty to his charges, while Gutierrez-Reed’s attorney told ABC News she plans to plead not guilty.

What To Watch For

A hearing discussing the possible use of a private attorney as a prosecutor in both Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed’s cases is scheduled for Friday, according to Barry Massey, a spokesperson for the New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts.

This is a developing story and Forbes will continue to update it.

Further Reading

‘Rust’ Will Resume Filming This Spring With Alec Baldwin As The Star—Despite Manslaughter Charges (Forbes)

‘Rust’ Shooting: Alec Baldwin Pleads Not Guilty To Involuntary Manslaughter Charges (Forbes)

The ‘Rust’ Shooting, Over One Year Later: Everything You Need To Know (Forbes)

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/anafaguy/2023/03/29/prosecutor-overseeing-alec-baldwin-rust-charges-steps-down-from-case/