Internet baffled after Alec Baldwin's 'Rust' prosecutor steps down as colleague disputes 'infighting' claims

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The legal team suing Alec Baldwin for involuntary manslaughter is down one attorney and it's not because of infighting. 

Three months before the actor's trial is set to begin, Jason J Lewis, one of the three special prosecutors, pulled out of the 'Rust' case. 

Real reason why 'Rust' special prosecutor decided to step down months before the trial

According to court records obtained by PEOPLE Magazine, Lewis, who was appointed as a special prosecutor in the case in 2023, filed a withdrawal request that Baldwin's attorneys did not challenge.

The two other special prosecutors, Kari T Morrissey and Erlinda Johnson are still in place.

Lewis formally withdrew from Baldwin's case shortly after Johnson was added to the prosecution's roster.

Before Lewis submitted his request to step out, Baldwin's lawyers claimed in a fresh document that the actor had made an improperly withdrawn plea offer.

In a recently released report, a source with knowledge of Baldwin's case told Extra, "After Alec's attorney filing, there was infighting at the DA's office resulting in [Lewis] stepping down."

Morrissey, however, refuted the allegations of "infighting" in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital.

She stated, "I would like to know who would allege infighting. There has been no infighting. Mr Lewis and I have been close friends for twenty-five years and there has been no infighting or significant disagreements." 

"The Baldwin trial was set very quickly at the request of Mr Baldwin. Mr Lewis has obligations to another client between now and July that prohibit him from dedicating the appropriate amount of time to preparing for the Baldwin trial," added Morrissey. 

"In fact, Mr Lewis met with his other client prior to withdrawing from the Baldwin case to determine if adequate time could be carved out that would allow him to remain as counsel on the Baldwin case and still meet his obligations to his other client," asserted the special prosecutor. 

Morrissey concluded by saying, "Ultimately, Mr Lewis made the difficult decision to withdraw so he can meet his obligations to his other client, and Ms Johnson has joined the team to substitute for Mr. Lewis."

The decision was made less than three months before Baldwin's July trial. The actor was holding a prop gun on the 'Rust' set in New Mexico when it accidentally fired, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza in 2021.

Internet reacts as 'Rust' special prosecutor steps down

One exclaimed, "Sounds like a whole lotta drama behind the scenes, just like in the movies," and another remarked, "Baldwin pulled the trigger, Baldwin was producer and ultimately responsible. If he gets away with this killing, just more proof of unequal justice system."

"Who's next in line," questioned a person, while someone else said, "If you have any gun in your hand you are responsible. The gun is just a object you pulled the trigger."

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