“Rust” process: Alec Baldwin wants to exclude prosecutors

US film star Alec Baldwin (64) has applied for the disqualification of a prosecutor in the “Rust” trial in New Mexico. His lawyers are demanding that Andrea Reeb resign after she was elected to the state House of Representatives in November.

, Baldwin’s attorneys argue in a motion filed Tuesday that Reed could not continue in office because New Mexico state law prohibits a congressman from being a state attorney. “Representative Reed is therefore either the executive branch or the judiciary branch, and her service as a prosecutor is unconstitutional,” the attorneys wrote in their filing. “She must be disqualified.”

Alec Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez-Reed are charged

Baldwin was formally charged with the fatal shooting of “Rust” cameramen Halyna Hutchins (1979-2021) on January 31 and faces up to five years in prison if found guilty. The drama happened on October 21, 2021 on the film set in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The film’s gunsmith Hannah Gutierrez-Reed – who was in charge of the guns during filming – is also charged with involuntary manslaughter. Both defendants are scheduled to appear in court for the first time on February 24.

Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed have said they are not responsible for Hutchins’ death and will oppose the charges. Prosecutors have said they will refute Baldwin’s repeated claims that he never pulled the trigger on the gun that killed Hutchins when it was loaded with a real rather than a blank.

agreement with the bereaved

In October 2022, Baldwin settled with the Hutchins family for an undisclosed sum. “I have no interest in blaming the producers or Mr. Baldwin,” Hutchins’ husband Matt said in a statement about the settlement. “We all believe that Halyna’s death was a horrific accident. I am grateful that producers and the entertainment industry have come together to honor Halyna’s final work.” As part of the agreement, Matt Baldwin will serve as a producer on the film once it is complete.