Actor Alec Baldwin has filed a civil lawsuit for malicious prosecution and civil rights violations within the deadly capturing of a cinematographer on the set of the Western film “Rust.”
The lawsuit was filed Thursday at state district court docket in Santa Fe, the place a choose in July dismissed a cost of involuntary manslaughter in opposition to Baldwin within the dying of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Baldwin additionally alleges defamation within the swimsuit, saying that prosecutors and investigators deliberately mishandled proof as they pursued the case.
Defendants named within the lawsuit embody particular prosecutor Kari Morrissey and Santa Fe District Legal professional Mary Carmack-Altwies, together with three investigators from the Santa Fe County sheriff’s workplace and the county board of commissioners.
“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. It additionally says prosecutors and investigators focused Baldwin for skilled or political acquire.
Hutchins died shortly after being wounded throughout a rehearsal for the film “Rust” in October 2021 at a film-set ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Baldwin, the lead actor and co-producer, was pointing a pistol at Hutchins when it discharged, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin has stated he pulled again the hammer — however not the set off — and the revolver fired.
Baldwin’s trial was upended by revelations that ammunition was introduced into the Santa Fe County sheriff’s workplace in March by a person who stated it could possibly be associated to Hutchins’ killing. Prosecutors stated they deemed the ammo unrelated and unimportant, whereas Baldwin’s attorneys say investigators “buried” the proof in a separate case folder and filed a profitable movement to dismiss.
Morrissey stated she realized greater than a yr in the past that Baldwin was contemplating a lawsuit.
“In October 2023 the prosecution team became aware that Mr. Baldwin intended to file a retaliatory civil lawsuit,” she advised The Related Press in a textual content message Thursday. “We look forward to our day in court.”
Carmack-Altwies and the Santa Fe sheriff’s workplace didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark. Baldwin’s lawsuit argues that prosecutors shouldn’t be afforded immunity of their official roles.
The state legal professional basic declined to pursue and attraction the dismissal on behalf of prosecutors, closing out the case in December.
Individually, the capturing led to an involuntary manslaughter conviction at trial final yr in opposition to film weapons supervisor Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. She is serving out a most sentence of 1 1/2 years at a state penitentiary.
The tort declare by Baldwin additionally takes goal at a particular prosecutor who initially oversaw the investigation, whereas searching for unspecified punitive damages, compensatory damages, attorneys’ charges and curiosity.
It provides to a thicket of post-trial litigation, whilst Baldwin has returned to comedian appearances on “Saturday Night Live” with plans within the works for a household actuality TV present with spouse Hilaria and 7 kids.
The dad and mom and youthful sister of Hutchins have sued Baldwin and different producers of “Rust” in New Mexico state court docket. A settlement has been reached in a lawsuit by Hutchins’ widower and son.
