Andrea Reeb, the special prosecutor in the case against Alec Baldwin and Rust for the fatal shooting of a camerawoman in October 2021, has announced she will resign if Baldwin wins.
Reeb was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives in November, and Baldwin’s attorneys argued that made her ineligible to serve as a special prosecutor.
Reeb investigated the shooting on behalf of the Santa Fe Attorney’s Office and concluded that Baldwin and his team – who both produced and starred in the film – were responsible for the death of 42-year-old Halyna Hutchins.
In her farewell speech, Reeb reiterated these views.
“It has become clear that the best way to ensure justice is done in this case is to step down so prosecutors can focus on the evidence and facts that clearly show a total disregard for basic safety protocols that led to the crime.” death of Halyna Hutchins,’ she said.
“I will not allow questions about my work as a legislator and prosecutor to obscure the real issue.”
Reeb was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives in November 2022 and assumed the role earlier this year
Alec Baldwin and the film’s gunsmith face two involuntary manslaughter charges stemming from the Santa Fe, New Mexico incident
Baldwin’s attorney, Luke Nikas, filed a motion last month to remove Reeb, a Republican, from the case. Baldwin is known to be a passionate Democrat.
‘MS. Reeb’s continued service as a special prosecutor in this case is unconstitutional,” Nikas said.
“The legal question is not that narrow. She must be disqualified.’
Referring to Section 1 of Article III of the New Mexico Constitution, he noted that an incumbent member of the legislature may not exercise powers that duly belonged to the executive or the judiciary.
He added, “As a special prosecutor, Representative Reeb is vested by law with ‘all the powers and duties’ of a district attorney serving as either a member of the judiciary or the executive branch of the New Mexico government.”
Baldwin was formally indicted on January 31, along with Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film’s gunsmith.
He has insisted the shooting wasn’t his fault because he trusted those on set who were in charge of the guns.
Reeb, a former district attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit of New Mexico, said at the time the charges were filed, “We’re definitely trying to make it clear that everyone is equal before the law, including A-list actors like Alec Baldwin.”
Halyna Hutchins, a 42-year-old married mother of a young son, died in New Mexico hospital after the accidental shooting
Hutchins’ October 19, 2021 Instagram post showed cast and staff, including Baldwin, alongside Hutchins himself and gunsmith Gutierrez-Reed (circled left to right) on the set of Rust in Santa Fe, New Mexico
An aerial view of Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe where the film was filmed
On Tuesday, Reeb denied getting conflicted by either her political role or Baldwin’s fame.
“After much thought, I have made the difficult decision to step down as special prosecutor in the Rust case,” she said in a statement released by the prosecutor.
“My priority in this case – and in every case I have pursued in my 25-year career – was justice for the victim.
“However, it has become clear that the best way to ensure justice is served in this case is to step down so prosecutors can focus on the evidence and facts that clearly show a total disregard for basic safety protocols , which led to the death of Halyna Hutchins.
“I will not allow questions about my work as a legislator and prosecutor to obscure the real issue.”