Alec Baldwin Files Lawsuit Against ‘Rust’ Case Investigators
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Alec Baldwin, whose criminal prosecution for involuntary manslaughter was abandoned last year, has filed a lawsuit against prosecutors and detectives involved in the fatal 2021 shooting on the set of the film Rust.
Baldwin has filed a civil case in Santa Fe County District Court, accusing officials of malicious prosecution, slander, and civil rights abuses. The filing names special prosecutor Kari Morrissey, Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, members of the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, and other county officials as defendants.
Allegations Of Misconduct
Baldwin alleges that prosecutors and investigators conspired to falsely indict him, accusing them of suppressing evidence and violating his constitutional rights.
His lawsuit claims they were motivated by professional or political gain and pursued his prosecution regardless of the evidence or legal standards.
The complaint also highlights that critical evidence favorable to Baldwin’s defense was intentionally concealed.
“Defendants sought at every turn to scapegoat Baldwin for the acts and omissions of others, regardless of the evidence or the law,” the lawsuit states.
Additionally, Baldwin accuses the defendants of defamation, citing public statements that implied he bore responsibility for the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Background Of The Incident
The fatal occurrence took place on October 21, 2021, during a rehearsal on the Rust set.
Baldwin, the film’s star actor and co-producer, was holding a pretend pistol when it fired, killing 42-year-old Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza. Baldwin has stated that he was assured the gun did not have live ammunition and that he just drew the hammer back without pulling the trigger.
First Judicial District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dropped Baldwin’s case in July 2023, citing prosecutorial misconduct, which included concealing evidence. This decision was upheld in October, and prosecutors eventually dropped their appeal.
Claims of Suppressed Evidence
Investigators allegedly mishandled evidence, including live ammo gathered by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office in March 2023, according to Baldwin’s legal team.
Neither Baldwin’s defense nor the case file contained the bullets, which were purportedly related to Seth Kenney, Rust’s prop supplier. Baldwin’s lawyers contend that the evidence could have proven the origin of the gunshot that killed Hutchins, but prosecutors rejected it as unimportant.
The prosecution’s actions were criticized by Judge Sommer, who said, “The state’s willful withholding of this information was intentional and deliberate.” Baldwin’s right to a fair trial might have been infringed upon by their acts, which she described as approaching ill faith.
Seeking Accountability and Damages
In his lawsuit, Baldwin seeks financial compensation for his injuries, punitive damages against the defendants, and a jury trial.
“Although no verdict in this civil case can undo the trauma the State’s threat of conviction and incarceration has inflicted, Alec Baldwin has filed this action to hold Defendants responsible for their appalling violations of the laws that governed their work,” the filing states.
Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey has responded to the lawsuit, acknowledging awareness of Baldwin’s intentions since 2023. “We look forward to our day in court,” she stated.
Fallout From The Rust Incident
Despite the dismissal of Baldwin’s case, other Rust production participants are still facing legal consequences.
As the movie’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and is currently incarcerated for eighteen months. A separate lawsuit has also been filed against Baldwin and other film producers by Hutchins’s sister and parents.
A settlement has also been struck in a prior case that Hutchins’ son and widower filed.
Baldwin has apparently restarted his work, including Saturday Night Live appearances, and is preparing a family reality TV program with his wife, Hilaria, and their seven children in spite of the current legal battle.
Be sure to catch up on everything happening with the ‘Rust’ case right now. Come back here often for all the ‘Rust’ case spoilers, news, and updates.
Editorial credit: Jeffrey Bruno / Shutterstock.com
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