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Actor Alec Baldwin has filed a civil lawsuit for malicious prosecution and civil rights violations following the dismissal of involuntary manslaughter charges against him in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the movie Rust. The lawsuit, filed Thursday (January 9) in Santa Fe, New Mexico, accuses prosecutors and investigators of mishandling evidence and targeting Baldwin for professional or political gain.
Baldwin was holding a pistol during a rehearsal on the Rust set in October 2021 when it discharged, killing Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. Baldwin has maintained that he did not pull the trigger and that the gun was supposed to be "cold," meaning it contained no live ammunition.
The charges against Baldwin were dismissed in July after a judge found that the state had withheld evidence from the defense. Baldwin's lawsuit names special prosecutor Kari Morrissey, Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, and three investigators from the Santa Fe County sheriff's office as defendants. The suit seeks unspecified punitive and compensatory damages, attorneys' fees, and interest.
Baldwin's lawyers claim the prosecution was driven by personal agendas and ambitions. Special prosecutor Morrissey stated she was aware of Baldwin's intent to file a lawsuit since October 2023.
The lawsuit adds to ongoing litigation related to the incident, including a conviction of involuntary manslaughter against movie weapons supervisor Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who is serving an 18-month prison sentence. The parents and sister of Hutchins have also sued Baldwin and other producers of Rust in New Mexico state court.