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The special prosecutor in the Alec Baldwin<\/strong> involuntary manslaughter<\/a> trial has quit the case.<\/p>\n Andrea Reeb<\/strong> announced Tuesday that she would be voluntarily stepping down, following a motion filed by the actor’s attorney that asked the judge<\/a> to remove her over her separate political job as a member of New Mexico’s state legislature.<\/p>\n The case will still move forward, but it’s unclear who will replace Reeb, a Republican who was elected to the 64th district in the state’s house of representatives. Her resignation was the second major setback for \u00a0prosecutors. In February, they had to withdraw a \u201cfirearm enhancement\u201d charge that would have carried a mandatory five-year prison sentence because the law was passed after<\/em> the October 2021 shooting on the set of the western drama Rust<\/em> that claimed the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.<\/p>\n Baldwin and prop armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed<\/strong> were both facing this additional charge as they faced trial for involuntary manslaughter. The film’s assistant director, Dave Halls<\/strong>, who was responsible for safety on set, accepted a plea bargain for the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon. He received a suspended sentence and six months of probation.<\/p>\n In her statement, Reeb, who was a lifelong prosecutor before being elected to the state legislature last November, said she was resigning to avoid being a distraction: \u201cAfter much reflection. I have made the difficult decision to step down as special prosecutor in the Rust<\/em> case. My priority in this case\u2014and in every case I\u2019ve prosecuted in my 25-year career\u2014has been justice for the victim. However, it has become clear that the best way I can ensure justice is served in this case is to step down so that the prosecution can focus on the evidence and the facts, which clearly show a complete disregard for basic safety protocols led to the death of Halyna Hutchins. I will not allow questions about my serving as a legislator and prosecutor to cloud the real issue at hand.”<\/p>\n Baldwin’s attorneys sought her removal by citing Article III of New Mexico’s constitution<\/a>, which restricts members of one branch of government, such as the state legislature, from serving in another, such as the judicial. They declined to comment for this story.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Santa Fe District Attorney’s office says they have no information about who might fill Reeb’s vacancy.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n