Santa Fe IS Drops Alec Baldwin Rust Shooting Case

SANTA FE, New Mexico (AP) — The Santa Fe District Attorney has appointed two experienced New Mexico attorneys as new special prosecutors in Alec Baldwin manslaughter case and a gun controller in the murder of a cinematographer during a rehearsal for a 2021 film.

The appointment of Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis to the positions will allow District Attorney Mary Carmack-Oltvis to focus on New Mexico’s “broader public safety needs,” her spokeswoman Heather Brewer said Wednesday.

Original Special Prosecutor, Andrea Reeb, retired earlier after errors in initial charges against Baldwin and objections that Reeb’s role as state legislator creates conflicting responsibilities.

Subsequently, Carmack-Oltwis prepared to appoint a new special prosecutor, as well as to handle a complex case as a co-counsel.

But Judge Mary Marlow Sommer said on Monday the district attorney must either handle the case on his own or transfer it entirely to another prosecutor.

FILE - New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Oltvis (R) speaks at a press conference at the Santa Fe County Public Safety Building in 2021. The appointment of Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis as special prosecutors will allow Carmack-Oltvis to focus on — FILE – New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Oltvis (R) speaks at a press conference at the Santa Fe County Public Safety Building in 2021. The appointment of Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis as special prosecutors will allow Carmack-Oltvis to focus on “the state’s broader public safety needs,” spokeswoman Heather Brewer said in a statement.

Baldwin and movie gunsmith Hannah Gutierrez-Reid He pleaded not guilty charged with manslaughter in shooting death of cinematographer Galina Hutchins. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 18 months in prison and fines.

Hutchins died shortly after being shot. February 21, 2021 during rehearsals for the western “Rust” at a ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe. Baldwin pointed the gun at Hutchins when the gun went off, killing her and injuring director Joel Souza.

Gutierrez-Reed’s defense attorney objected to Carmack-Oltvis’ earlier plans to serve as co-counsel, arguing that it would be illegal under New Mexico law and fundamentally unfair to a 25-year-old defendant with limited financial resources.

Brewer said the appointment of Morrisey and Lewis, with their “extensive experience and expertise in litigation, will allow the state to get justice for Halina Hutchins and ensure that everyone in New Mexico is held accountable under the law.”

A week-long preliminary hearing in May will decide if there is enough evidence against Baldwin and Gutierrez-Rida to move to trial.