Alec Baldwin sues prosecutors, sheriff’s officials over fatal Rust set shooting case

Actor Alec Baldwin has taken legal action against New Mexico prosecutors and sheriff’s office officials, accusing them of engaging in a “malicious” prosecution following the tragic shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the movie Rust in 2021.

The lawsuit, filed in a Santa Fe court, comes after Baldwin’s case was dismissed during his manslaughter trial earlier this year. The judge ruled that the special prosecutor and sheriff’s office had deliberately withheld crucial evidence from Baldwin regarding the source of the live round that resulted in Hutchins’ death.

According to Baldwin’s attorneys, New Mexico officials had been targeting him for several years with the intention of bringing him to trial for personal and political reasons. The lawsuit seeks financial damages through a jury trial.

The legal action alleges that the actions of the prosecutors, including comments made by special prosecutor Andrea Reeb suggesting that the case could benefit her political career, were part of a conspiracy to incriminate Baldwin. The lawsuit also claims that prosecutor Kari Morrissey presented false and incomplete testimony to secure a grand jury indictment.

Morrissey, however, stated that prosecutors were aware that Baldwin would file a retaliatory civil lawsuit and expressed readiness to face the allegations in court. Reeb and the Santa Fe sheriff’s office have not yet responded to requests for comment.

The fatal incident occurred when Baldwin, who was also a producer on Rust, pointed a pistol at Hutchins, cocked it, and possibly pulled the trigger while setting up a camera shot on the movie set. The gun, a replica 1873 single-action army revolver, had been loaded with a live round by the movie’s weapons handler, Hannah Gutierrez, who was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in jail.

Baldwin has consistently maintained that live ammunition should never have been present on the set and that he was not responsible for weapon safety. The lawsuit specifically focuses on the decision by Morrissey and sheriff’s office officials to file evidence regarding the live rounds under a separate case number from that of the Rust investigation.

The case against Baldwin was ultimately dismissed by Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer, who criticized the prosecutors for withholding crucial information that demonstrated signs of bias. Morrissey has denied any wrongdoing, and now Baldwin must prove that the defendants are not shielded by state laws that provide immunity to officials sued for actions within the scope of their duties.

The legal battle between Alec Baldwin and the New Mexico authorities underscores the complexities and legal ramifications surrounding the tragic shooting on the set of Rust, which has prompted calls for stricter firearms safety protocols in the film industry. As the case unfolds, it will shed light on the responsibilities of all parties involved in ensuring the safety and well-being of cast and crew members on movie sets.