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Alec Baldwin has initiated legal action against prosecutors and investigators, filing a civil lawsuit alleging malicious prosecution and civil rights violations regarding the tragic “Rust” shooting incident.
The legal filing, submitted in Santa Fe’s state district court, follows the July dismissal of involuntary manslaughter charges against Baldwin in cinematographer Halyna Hutchins’ death. The lawsuit targets special prosecutor Kari Morrissey, District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, three sheriff’s office investigators, and county commissioners.
You just can’t make this up. Alec Baldwin is suing the prosecutor who charged him for malicious prosecution. This liberal victim mentality is disturbing. Yeah, I shot Halyna Hutchins but how dare you try and prosecute me.
Way to continue and victimize the family you MF’er! pic.twitter.com/zVGs5Ou03L
— Burnin_T_Ranch (@BurninTRanch) January 10, 2025
“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.
The incident occurred during an October 2021 rehearsal at a Santa Fe film ranch, where Baldwin, both lead actor and co-producer, held a pistol that discharged, fatally wounding Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. Baldwin maintains he pulled the hammer back but not the trigger.
Actor Alec Baldwin sued New Mexico prosecutors and sheriff's office officials on Jan. 9. The lawsuit alleged ‘malicious’ prosecution against him for the 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the movie set of ‘Rust’ https://t.co/wnfI4KGdlu pic.twitter.com/RnJ4YXnITJ
— Reuters Legal (@ReutersLegal) January 10, 2025
The case took an unexpected turn when new ammunition evidence emerged at the sheriff’s office in March. While prosecutors deemed it irrelevant, Baldwin’s legal team successfully argued the evidence was mishandled, leading to the case’s dismissal.
Morrissey acknowledged awareness of Baldwin’s potential lawsuit, stating, “In October 2023 the prosecution team became aware that Mr. Baldwin intended to file a retaliatory civil lawsuit. We look forward to our day in court.”
The lawsuit seeks various damages and challenges prosecutorial immunity. It adds to ongoing legal proceedings, including the conviction of weapons supervisor Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who received an 18-month sentence. Meanwhile, Baldwin has resumed his entertainment career while facing additional lawsuits from Hutchins’ family members, though a settlement was reached with her widower and son.
