Alec Baldwin Sues Prosecutors Over Criminal Charges in Halyna Hutchins' Death.
Alec Baldwin, 66, has filed a lawsuit against the prosecutors involved in bringing criminal charges against him following the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film Rust. Baldwin, who was both the lead actor and a co-producer, was handling a gun that discharged and fatally struck Hutchins in October 2021, leaving director Joel Souza injured.
Alec Baldwin's family (@hilariabaldwin Instagram)
Baldwin faced accusations of involuntary manslaughter, but the case took a significant turn when a judge dismissed the charge in July 2023, citing misconduct by law enforcement and prosecutors who failed to share crucial evidence regarding the ammunition with the defense. Baldwin’s legal team claims this failure was part of a deliberate effort to "scapegoat" the actor.
The lawsuit alleges malicious prosecution and violations of Baldwin's civil rights, accusing special prosecutor Kari Morrissey and Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies of hiding evidence that could have cleared Baldwin. It argues that the prosecutors were “blinded by their desire to convict Baldwin for all the wrong reasons.” Baldwin’s legal team stresses that the pursuit of charges was not driven by the search for justice, but by personal and political motives.
In response, prosecutor Kari Morrissey stated in October 2023 that the prosecution team was aware of Baldwin’s intention to file the civil lawsuit, adding, “We look forward to our day in court.”
Baldwin’s lawsuit was filed shortly after Morrissey decided not to pursue an appeal following the dismissal of the involuntary manslaughter charge. Baldwin’s attorneys, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, issued a joint statement condemning the actions of Morrissey and other defendants: “Criminal prosecutions are supposed to be about the search for truth and justice, not to pursue personal or political gain or harass the innocent.”
They continued, "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."
Halyna Hutchins
Baldwin had always maintained his innocence, asserting that he never pulled the gun's trigger and that other members of the set were responsible for ensuring the safety of the weapon. If convicted, Baldwin faced up to 18 months in prison.
The prosecution argued Baldwin acted recklessly during a scene rehearsal by handling a loaded weapon carelessly, while Baldwin's defense team countered, claiming he was merely "an actor, acting" and had committed no crime. In a surprising turn during the trial, prosecutor Kari Morrissey took the stand in response to repeated claims by Baldwin's defense attorney, Alex Spiro, that evidence had been hidden. This was unexpected, as the judge had previously indicated that her testimony was unnecessary.
Spiro further alleged that Morrissey had referred to Baldwin as a “c*********” and an “arrogant p****” in conversations with witnesses, although Morrissey claimed she did not remember making those comments.
Alec Baldwin's wife, Hilaria Baldwin, 41, has been a strong pillar of support throughout the difficult legal and emotional challenges stemming from the Rust tragedy. Following the incident in October 2021, Hilaria expressed her unwavering support for her husband, emphasizing that he was not responsible for the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. In a heartfelt statement shared on social media, she highlighted the emotional toll the incident took on Alec, stressing that he was a deeply compassionate person who never intended for the tragedy to happen.
Hilaria also defended Alec against public criticism, standing by him as he faced intense scrutiny from both the media and the legal system. She called out the baseless attacks and defended her husband's character. Throughout the ordeal, Hilaria remained a source of emotional stability for Alec, supporting him publicly and privately as he navigated the legal battle and personal grief.
