Alec Baldwin Sues Prosecutors and Investigators in "Rust" Shooting Case

Alec Baldwin Files Lawsuit for Malicious Prosecution and Civil Rights Violations in "Rust" Shooting

Actor Alec Baldwin has filed a civil lawsuit against the special prosecutor, district attorney, and investigators involved in the "Rust" shooting case. The lawsuit alleges malicious prosecution, civil rights violations, and defamation.

The lawsuit stems from the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western movie "Rust" in October 2021. Baldwin, who was the lead actor and co-producer of the film, was pointing a pistol at Hutchins when it discharged, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza.

Baldwin has maintained that he did not pull the trigger of the gun and that it fired accidentally. However, he was charged with involuntary manslaughter in the case. In July 2023, a judge dismissed the charge, and prosecutors subsequently dropped their appeal of the ruling.

In his lawsuit, Baldwin alleges that the prosecutor and investigators mishandled evidence and pursued the case against him despite a lack of evidence. He also claims that they made defamatory statements about him, damaging his reputation.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages from the defendants, who include special prosecutor Kari Morrissey, Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, and investigators from the Santa Fe County sheriff's office.

"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.

Baldwin's attorneys, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, said in a statement that "criminal prosecutions are supposed to be about the search for truth and justice, not to pursue personal or political gain or harass the innocent."

"Kari Morrissey and the other defendants violated that basic principle, over and over, and trampled on Alec Baldwin's rights," they added. "We bring this action to hold the defendants accountable for their misconduct and to prevent them from doing this to anyone else."

The defendants have not yet responded to the lawsuit.