Alec Baldwin Sues Over Alleged Malicious Prosecution in 'Rust' Case

Actor Alec Baldwin has filed a civil lawsuit against Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, Special Prosecutor Kari Morrissey, and other officials, claiming malicious prosecution and violations of his civil rights. The lawsuit follows the dismissal of criminal charges against Baldwin in connection with the 2021 death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust.

Baldwin was holding a prop pistol during a rehearsal when it discharged, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin faced an involuntary manslaughter charge, which was thrown out in July by Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer. The judge cited prosecutorial misconduct, including the withholding of key evidence related to the live ammunition on set.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday, names additional defendants, including investigators from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office, the Santa Fe County Board of Commissioners, and the county itself.

In the filing, Baldwin’s attorneys accuse prosecutors of engaging in a “malicious and unlawful” pursuit of the actor for political and personal reasons. “Criminal prosecutions are supposed to be about the search for truth and justice, not to pursue personal or political gain or harass the innocent,” attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro stated. “Kari Morrissey and the other defendants violated that basic principle, over and over, and trampled on Alec Baldwin’s rights. We bring this action to hold the defendants accountable for their misconduct and to prevent them from doing this to anyone else.”

The lawsuit alleges that prosecutors intentionally concealed evidence that would have cleared Baldwin and instead sought to scapegoat him for Hutchins’ death. Special Prosecutor Andrea Reeb is accused of making statements about how pursuing the case could benefit her political career as a Republican state representative. Baldwin’s attorneys claim that false and incomplete testimony from Morrissey was used to secure his indictment.

Responding to the lawsuit, Morrissey said, “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 incident, which occurred during the filming of the Western Rust, reignited debates about firearms safety on film sets and led to multiple lawsuits, including Baldwin’s. The actor is seeking financial damages through a jury trial, arguing that the defendants must be held accountable for their actions.

“Defendants must now be held accountable for their malicious and unlawful pursuit of Baldwin,” the complaint states.

The tragic shooting of Halyna Hutchins has left a lasting impact on Hollywood, with many calling for stricter safety protocols. Baldwin’s lawsuit underscores broader concerns about the role of political influence and prosecutorial accountability in high-profile cases.

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