Prosecutor Reeb steps down in 'Rust' case

Clovis attorney and state Rep. Andrea Reeb on Tuesday said she’s stepping down as a special prosecutor in the criminal case tied to the 2021 fatal shooting on the set of the movie “Rust.”

Last month, defense attorneys for actor Alec Baldwin said Reeb’s role as a lawmaker was in conflict with her position as a special prosecutor and sought to have her removed from the case.

At the time, a spokeswoman for Reeb and district attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said prosecutors’ focus would always “remain on ensuring that justice is served and that everyone – even celebrities with fancy attorneys – is held accountable under the law.”

But Tuesday Reeb told The News she “was taking too much attention away from the case.”

In a statement, Reeb said she made the difficult decision to step down “after much reflection.”

“My priority in this case — and in every case I’ve prosecuted in my 25-year career — has 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.”

Baldwin and film set armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed — who was tasked with maintaining firearms, ammunition and gun safety on the set — are charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the fatal shooting of the cinematographer Hutchins.

Baldwin’s attorneys alleged Reeb should be disqualified as special prosecutor because of a clause in the state constitution they said bars individuals from simultaneously exercising powers in more than one of the three branches of government.