Three months before Alec Baldwin's manslaughter trial began, one of the three special prosecutors withdrew from the “Rust” case.
Jason A. Lewis, who also prosecuted Hannah Gutierrez Reed's case, filed a motion to withdraw from Baldwin's case, which Baldwin's attorneys did not oppose.
Prior to Lewis' request to resign, Baldwin's lawyers argued in a new filing that Baldwin was offered a plea deal, which was later improperly withdrawn.
“After Alec's submission of his lawyer, there was an internal conflict within the prosecutor's office, which resulted in [Lewis] He is resigning,” a person familiar with Baldwin's case told Extra in a Thursday report.
Alec Baldwin accuses 'Lust' prosecutor of 'humbling' 'arrogant' celebrities: court documents
A new special prosecutor will be appointed in Alec Baldwin's manslaughter trial. (Dimitrios Cambris)
However, prosecutor Kari Morrissey denied claims of “infighting” in a statement obtained by FOX News Digital.
“I want to know who is alleging infighting. There was no infighting. Mr. Lewis and I have been close friends for 25 years and we have never had infighting or significant disagreements,” Morrissey said.
She added: “The Baldwin trial was set up very quickly, at Mr. Baldwin's request. Mr. Lewis has obligations to another client between now and July, and he is preparing for the Baldwin trial.” “They are prohibited from devoting appropriate time to this.''
“In fact, prior to withdrawing from the Baldwin case, Mr. Lewis met with other clients to determine whether he would have sufficient time to remain as Baldwin's attorney and meet his obligations to his other clients.” Morrissey added. “Ultimately, Mr. Lewis made the difficult decision to withdraw in order to fulfill his obligations to other clients, and Mr. Johnson replaced Mr. Lewis on the team.
Mr. Lewis formally withdrew from Mr. Baldwin's case shortly after prosecutors added Arlinda Johnson to the list.
Mary Carmack-Altweese, who withdrew from prosecuting Baldwin in March 2023, appointed Johnson in court documents filed April 16 and obtained by Fox News Digital.
Alec Baldwin claimed that prosecutors improperly rescinded his plea deal. (Santa Fe County Sheriff's Department)
Johnson is a personal injury, wrongful death, and civil rights attorney in New Mexico. The attorney gave interviews to multiple media outlets regarding Baldwin's case prior to his appointment, primarily giving his opinion on whether Baldwin should be prosecuted.
“Everyone who handles firearms has a duty to check for live ammunition,” Johnson told People magazine in 2021. In addition to criminal charges, “there are a lot of civil charges here. It's going to be a nightmare for the public.” [people involved with the movie]. ”
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Baldwin's defense team recently argued that prosecutors improperly rescinded a plea deal months before Baldwin was indicted for a second time on manslaughter.
His defense team revealed that the actor received a plea deal from the special prosecutor on October 5, 2023, according to new court documents obtained by FOX News Digital.This move is aimed at “defendants in similar circumstances. [sic] Do not be treated differently,” the document states.
Assistant Director Dave Halls received probation and no jail time after accepting a state plea deal on March 31, 2023. Cinematographer Halina Hutchins died on October 21, 2021, after a gun Baldwin was holding went off on the set of “The Last.”
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Baldwin had until Oct. 27 to accept the same contract as Halls, but his lawyers argued that the offer was rescinded before the written deadline.
Alec Baldwin was shown sitting in the church where Hutchins was killed in an outtake from the “Lust” production used during the trial of Hannah Gutierrez-Reid. (Court TV)
Morrissey said in a statement to FOX News Digital that Baldwin's latest filing is “false and misleading.” “For the reasons outlined in our response to his motion to dismiss, the petition is withdrawn,” she said.
Baldwin is scheduled to appear at trial for manslaughter in July. Jury selection begins July 9, according to New Mexico state courts. The trial is scheduled to continue until July 19th.
However, the “30 Rock” actor is working to have the charges dismissed. Baldwin was charged on Jan. 19 with involuntary manslaughter, negligent use of a firearm, or the alternative thereof, involuntary manslaughter without due care or prudence.
Baldwin's motion to dismiss argued that prosecutors acted unethically and failed to present important evidence to the grand jury.
“Enough is enough,” court documents said. “This is an abuse of the system and an abuse of innocent people whose rights have been severely trampled.”
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Tracy Wright is an entertainment reporter for Fox News Digital. Send story tips to him at Tracy.Wright@fox.com.