Alec Baldwin’s legal team claimed the prosecution violated his constitutional rights in the “Rust” shooting case following the resignation of a special prosecutor, who’s now a Republican New Mexico state representative, Deadline reported.
Baldwin, awaiting trial on involuntary manslaughter charges related to the on-set 2021 shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, claims that special prosecutor Andrea Reeb used her role in the investigation “to advance her political career,” which was “a further abuse of the system and yet another violation of Mr. Baldwin’s constitutional rights,” his lawyers wrote in a court filing.
Baldwin’s defense goes on to claim that the government’s conduct “represented a disregard of its ethical duties, and it has threatened Mr. Baldwin’s right to a fair trial.”
Reeb, who won election to the state legislature last year, voluntarily stepped down as special prosecutor on March 14. During her campaign, she wrote to Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies that she’d like to highlight that she was “assisting” the DA in the “Rust” probe and that “it might help” her election, according to The New York Times.
“I am intending to either introduce you or send it in a press release when we get the investigation!” Carmack-Altwies, who appointed Reeb as special prosecutor, reportedly wrote in response.
Along with Baldwin, former “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed faces involuntary manslaughter charges in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was shot on set in New Mexico. Both have pleaded not guilty.
Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images
Reeb resigned as special prosecutor after Baldwin moved to disqualify her, contending her special prosecutor job and state House role violated the state constitution. Baldwin withdrew the motion this week, citing Reeb’s resignation.
“Rust,” a Western that stars Baldwin, is set to resume production in Montana next month, Deadline reported.
HuffPost didn’t immediately reach representatives for the DA’s office or Reeb for comment.