Santa Fe District Attorney Bows Out Of 'Rust' Case

The "Rust" case against Alec Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is slowly starting to unravel, as Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies has stepped down from her position.

Baldwin's legal team was able to get the firearm enhancement charge dismissed, which would have resulted in a five-year mandatory prison stay if he had been convinced. Only a short while later, special prosecutor Andrea Reeb stepped down in another win for the duo, who have each been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter for the fatal on-set shooting of Halyna Hutchins.

After Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled earlier this week that the D.A. could not hire a special prosecutor to assist her in the case, Mary Carmack-Altwies decided to step down to appoint two new special prosecutors to the high-profile "Rust" case.

After Judge Mary Marlow Sommer shot down the opportunity to bring on a new special prosecutor, Mary Carmack-Altwies has decided to step aside and appoint a new pair of special prosecutors to take over the "Rust" case.

Two veteran New Mexico attorneys - Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis - will not be prosecuting Alec Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, as per Deadline. In a statement on Wednesday, the Santa Fe D.A. insisted that her responsibility to the people of her district was "greater than any one case."

“My responsibility to the people of the First Judicial District is greater than any one case, which is why I have chosen to appoint a special prosecutor in the Rust case,” Carmack-Altwies said in a statement. “Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis will unflinchingly pursue justice in the death of Halyna Hutchins on behalf of the people of First Judicial District.”

Heather Brewer, a spokesperson for First New Mexico Judicial District Attorney, also released a statement praising the new special prosecutors' "extensive experience and trial expertise" to pursue justice for the late cinematographer.

“New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies on Wednesday appointed long-time New Mexico attorneys Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis to serve as special prosecutors in the ‘Rust’ case," Brewer said in a statement. "Morrissey’s and Lewis’ extensive experience and trial expertise will allow the state to pursue justice for Halyna Hutchins and ensure that in New Mexico everyone is held accountable under the law."

“With the appointment of new special prosecutors, Carmack-Altwies will step aside from personally prosecuting the ‘Rust’ case, allowing her to focus on the broader public safety needs in New Mexico’s First Judicial District," Brewer continued. "Carmack-Altwies will continue her record of prosecuting drunken drivers, collaborating with local law enforcement, increasing diversion efforts, and securing convictions against the most dangerous and prolific offenders.”

Only a few days ago, the Santa Fe District Attorney pleaded with Judge Sommer to let another special prosecutor assist in the case. "All the money in the world doesn't help prosecute a case if we can't find bodies in our office," Carmack-Altwies told the judge, claiming that she lost almost a third of her prosecution team over the last few years and needed all the "extra manpower" she could get.

This is not the only legal loss for the prosecution. In addition to getting GOP elect Andrea Reed to step down and the firearm enhancement removed, the judge also granted "Rust" armorer Hannah-Gutierrez-Reed the right to keep a firearm at her home for self-defense.

At a virtual hearing at the end of February, the armorer's attorney Jason Bowles claimed that the 25-year-old had been receiving death threats after her private information was released by the Santa Fe Sheriff’s office as they began their investigation.

Bowles alleged that Gutierrez-Reed was the victim of a stalker and even had to file a restraining order months after Hutchins' death. Her attorney requested that Gutierrez-Reed be allowed to keep a firearm at her home for "self-protection."

Mary Carmack-Altwies objected to the request at the time, citing “Hannah’s sloppy mishandling of firearms.” Instead, the D.A. said that Gutierrez-Reed could use “pepper spray or a bat” as an alternative means of protection.

However, Judge Sommer sided with Bowles and granted the "Rust" armorer the ability to keep a firearm at her home, noting that it could only be used at her residence.

She has also been ordered not to have contact with any "Rust" crew members since she is not going to return to work on the resurrected film which begins shooting next month in Montana.