Alec Baldwin Sues Santa Fe Prosecutors Over Rust Shooting Case
Alec Baldwin has filed a lawsuit accusing Santa Fe prosecutors of malicious prosecution and civil rights violations following their pursuit of criminal charges against him in the 2021 shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust. The actor claims that the legal actions against him were politically motivated and built on manipulated evidence.
Why was Alec Baldwin originally prosecuted?
The filing comes after a New Mexico judge dismissed involuntary manslaughter charges against Baldwin in July, citing prosecutorial misconduct. Baldwin, 66, had been accused of recklessly handling the firearm that discharged during a rehearsal, killing Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. Prosecutors alleged Baldwin had violated fundamental firearm safety rules, but his defense countered that he had been following instructions as an actor and bore no responsibility for the weapon’s condition.
The court found that key evidence, including ammunition handled by a retired police officer, was withheld from the defense. The mishandling of evidence, along with conflicting testimony from Morrissey, played a significant role in the case's collapse.
What does the lawsuit say?
The lawsuit targets special prosecutor Kari Morrissey and district attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, among others, alleging they concealed evidence that could have cleared Baldwin and aimed to scapegoat him. Baldwin’s legal team argues that prosecutors violated his rights by pursuing a conviction “for all the wrong reasons.” His lawyers, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, stated, “Criminal prosecutions are supposed to be about the search for truth and justice, not to pursue personal or political gain or harass the innocent.”
The actor’s lawsuit also brings claims of defamation, pointing to public statements made by Carmack-Altwies suggesting Baldwin failed to ensure the set’s safety. According to the filing, such comments falsely implied he was directly responsible for Hutchins’ death. Baldwin maintains that even if he had acted differently, the tragedy resulted from negligence beyond his control.
Morrissey, in response to the lawsuit, stated, “We look forward to our day in court,” while representatives for Carmack-Altwies have not commented. Baldwin’s legal team criticized the prosecutors’ repeated “violations of basic principles,” arguing their actions caused significant harm to Baldwin’s reputation and rights.
The lawsuit also revisits a controversy involving former special prosecutor Andrea Reeb, who was accused of leveraging the case for political gain. Leaked emails revealed she sought to use the high-profile prosecution to advance her political career.
Baldwin seeks unspecified damages in the lawsuit, which he hopes will prevent similar misconduct in the future. His legal team argues that the case serves as an example of how criminal prosecutions can be misused for personal or political agendas.
For now, the legal battle continues, as Baldwin aims to hold those responsible accountable while seeking to clear his name in connection to the tragic accident.
