SANTA FE, N.M. — Actor Alec Baldwin has initiated a civil lawsuit against various parties involved in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western film “Rust.” The legal action, filed on Thursday in a district court in Santa Fe, follows the dismissal of involuntary manslaughter charges against Baldwin last July regarding Hutchins’ death.
In the lawsuit, Baldwin claims he has been a victim of malicious prosecution and civil rights violations, alleging that prosecutors and investigators acted with intent to harm him. He accuses them of improperly handling evidence during their investigation. Among the defendants named in the suit are special prosecutor Kari Morrissey, Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, as well as three investigators from the sheriff’s office and the county board of commissioners.
According to the lawsuit, the defendants attempted to blame Baldwin for the actions and failures of others without regard for the existing evidence or legal principles. Baldwin’s legal team argues that the prosecutors and investigators targeted him for their own personal or political benefit.
The tragic incident occurred in October 2021 when Hutchins was fatally shot during a rehearsal on a ranch near Santa Fe. Baldwin, who served as both the lead actor and co-producer of “Rust,” was aiming a firearm at Hutchins when it unexpectedly discharged, resulting in her death and injuring director Joel Souza. Baldwin has maintained that he pulled back the hammer of the gun but did not pull the trigger, leading to the weapon firing.
Baldwin’s trial faced complications due to the discovery of ammunition that had been brought to the Santa Fe County sheriff’s office months after the incident. A man claimed the ammunition could be linked to Hutchins’ shooting. Prosecutors later determined that the ammunition was not pertinent to the case, while Baldwin’s representation contends that crucial evidence was overlooked and improperly filed away.
Morrissey mentioned that she was made aware over a year ago that Baldwin was considering this legal action. In a text message, she acknowledged the lawsuit and expressed anticipation for their day in court.
Attempts to reach comments from Carmack-Altwies and officials from the Santa Fe sheriff’s office have not received immediate responses. Baldwin’s lawsuit also argues against the notion that prosecutors should be shielded by immunity for actions taken in their official capacity.
The state attorney general’s office opted not to appeal the decision to dismiss the manslaughter case, effectively closing that chapter in December. Additionally, the shooting had already resulted in an involuntary manslaughter conviction for Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film’s weapons supervisor, who is currently serving a sentence of up to 1 1/2 years in state prison.
Baldwin’s lawsuit also targets a special prosecutor who was initially involved in the case and seeks unspecified punitive and compensatory damages, as well as legal fees. This legal action adds to the ongoing litigation that has emerged after the trial, even as Baldwin has resumed public activities, including appearances on “Saturday Night Live” and plans for a family-oriented reality television series with his wife Hilaria and their seven children.
In a related development, the parents and younger sister of Hutchins have filed a lawsuit against Baldwin and other producers of “Rust” in New Mexico state court, while a settlement has already been achieved in a separate lawsuit by Hutchins’ widower and son.
