Prosecutor's Office lowers Alec Baldwin manslaughter charges in the "Rust" case

Will Alec Baldwin continue his leading role in the movie "Rust"?

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(CNN) --

New Mexico prosecutors have reduced Alec Baldwin's manslaughter charges related to the morale shooting during the filming of the movie "Rust," which would lessen the prison sentence the actor faces for the death. Halyna Hutchins, the film's cinematographer, on set.

The decision comes after Baldwin's lawyers filed a request last month to have the charges changed, arguing that prosecutors were wrong.

• Alec Baldwin indicted for fatal shooting on 'Rust' set

The firearm enhancement law was passed in New Mexico after what happened on the set of the movie "Rust."

It is applied in the event that the shot produced in the act that is judged was committed with the intention of intimidating or injuring a person.

Prosecutors decided to drop the charge that referred to this law, according to a statement from Heather Brewer, spokeswoman for the New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney's Office.

In his statement, Brewer noted that the "firearm enhancement" charge was dropped "in order to avoid further litigious distractions by Mr. Baldwin and his attorneys."

She also added that "the Prosecutor's Office's priority is to ensure justice, not to ensure billable hours for lawyers in big cities."

The decision to drop that charge reduces the prison time Baldwin would face by at least five years.

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Prosecutors also lowered the manslaughter charges against Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the film's weapons specialist, by dropping the firearm enhancement-related charge.

Gutierrez Reed, as a result of the decision, will also face less prison time, if convicted.

"We applaud the prosecution's decision to dismiss the charge and it was the correct decision, ethically and substantively," Gutierrez Reed's attorney, Jason Bowles, said in a statement.

Baldwin and Gutierrez Reed were indicted in the case in February.

Lawyers for both previously insisted their respective clients are innocent.

Hutchins was fatally struck by live ammunition fired from a prop gun held by Baldwin, who says he did not pull the trigger on the gun.

The film's director, Joel Souza, was also shot and wounded.

Earlier this month, Hutchins' parents and sister sued Baldwin, as well as the film's production company and others over her death.

• The family of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins sues Alec Baldwin and the producer of 'Rust'

In January, a production lawyer told CNN that Baldwin intends to finish the film and continue playing the lead role.

Josh Campbell and Aya Elamroussi, both with CNN, contributed to this report.

Alec BaldwinHalyna HutchinsRust