Who is Andrea Reeb? Alec Baldwin wants special prosecutor for 'Rust' shooting booted as she's Republican!
SANTE FE, NEW MEXICO: Alec Baldwin's attorney filed a motion Tuesday, February 7, to disqualify Andrea Reeb, the special prosecutor in New Mexico who has been investigating Baldwin in connection with the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of 'Rust.'
Baldwin was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of Hutchins. On October 21, 2021, Hutchins was shot and killed on the Santa Fe set of the Western. In addition to Baldwin, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film's armorer, has also been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection with Hutchins' death. On February 24, both will appear in court for virtually the first time, WMAY reports.
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Who is Andrea Reeb?
Representative Andrea Reeb, the special prosecutor, serves in the New Mexico House of Representatives. Last year, she was elected to her first term and took office on January 1. “The special prosecutor in this case … is a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives. Under … the New Mexico Constitution, however, a sitting member of the Legislature may not ‘exercise any powers properly belonging’ to either the executive or judicial branch,” defense attorney Luke Nikas wrote. His defense attorney argued that Reeb could not exercise legislative and judicial power at the same time.
What did defense attorney Luke Nikas argue?
In the motion to disqualify Nikas said, "Were the arrangement here approved by the courts, future District Attorneys could seek to curry favor with legislators who control their budgets by appointing them to high-profile cases - distorting the legislative process."
"A prosecutor who also serves as a legislator could face pressure to make prosecutorial decisions that serve her legislative interests, such as by prosecuting a prominent defendant associated with an opposing faction within the Legislature even in the face of conflicting evidence or law," the motion continued.
Nikas concluded, "In short, there can be no question that Representative Reeb is violating both the plain text and the purpose of the New Mexico Constitution's separation-of-powers provision by serving simultaneously as a legislator and a prosecutor. She must be removed," ABC News reported.
In addition, the document mentioned a request by First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies for $635,500 from the New Mexico Department of Revenue to prosecute those involved in the Rust shooting. Reeb's salary was included in the proposed spending plan at $156,000.
Heather Brewer, spokesperson for Carmack-Altwies, in response, said, “Mr Baldwin and his attorneys can use whatever tactics they want to distract from the fact that Halyna Hutchins died because of more than mere negligence on the Rust film set. However, the district attorney and the special prosecutor will remain focused on the evidence and on trying this case so that justice is served.”
David Halls, the first deputy director, has already agreed to plead not guilty to charges of negligent use of a firearm in connection with the incident. Prosecutors said last week that the judge's approval of that agreement is pending. The plea hearing is scheduled for March 8.