Alec Baldwin Files Lawsuit Against ‘Rust’ Prosecutors

The Hollywood star Alec Baldwin, fresh off getting off scot-free for the 2021 death of the cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of his movie Rust, is now set to sue the prosecutors who charged him.

Baldwin Sues Prosecutors

Court documents obtained by People Magazine show that Baldwin, 66, has filed a malicious prosecution lawsuit. He’s suing the prosecutors in the case, First Judicial District Attorney officials, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office authorities, and Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners.

Indeed, Baldwin is suing them all for “malicious abuse of process, intentional spoliation of evidence, defamation, and violation of the New Mexico Civil Rights Act.”

Baldwin’s lawyers claim that the defendants were “blinded by their desire to convict” him. They allegedly wanted to do this “for all the wrong reasons, and at any cost.”

Baldwin was indicted in January of last year. This came after a gun he was holding went off on the set of Rust in October of 2021. Hutchins was killed, and the film’s director Joel Souza was injured. The involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin was dismissed in July after his attorneys successfully argued that prosecutors had buried evidence. Last month, prosecutors dropped their notice to appeal the dismissal.

Full Story: It’s Official: Alec Baldwin Gets Off Scot-Free In ‘Rust’ Shooting After Appeal is Withdrawn

Baldwin Maintains His Innocence

Meanwhile, Baldwin continues to maintain his innocence in his new lawsuit. He claims that on the set of Rust on that fateful day, he was handed a prop gun. A crew member allegedly then yelled out “cold gun” to “assure Baldwin” and those around him that the weapon had “dummy rounds” in it.

“The prop fired a live round that killed Hutchins,” reads the complaint.

Baldwin also claims that “certain defendants” tried to make him a “scapegoat” by purposely hiding evidence. He alleges that they also lied on the stand. The defendants that he claims did this include special prosecutor Kari Morrisey and District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies. Indeed, Baldwin wants them each to be “held accountable” for their “malicious and unlawful pursuit” against him.

Baldwin alleges that Morrissey gave “inconsistent” testimony on the evidence she allegedly concealed. Meanwhile, he accuses Carmack-Altwies of defamation for a 2023 interview in which she claimed that Baldwin “had a duty to make sure the set was safe.” According to Baldwin, Carmack-Altwies was indicating that he was responsible for Hutchins’ death with this statement.

Related: Alec Baldwin ‘Rust’ Case Judge Blasts Prosecutors For ‘Deliberate Misconduct’

Baldwin’s Lawyers Speak Out – Morrissey Hits Back

Baldwin’s lawsuit is for general and/or compensatory damages. The exact amount will later be decided at trial. He additionally wants punitive damages and attorneys’ fees.

“Criminal prosecutions are supposed to be about the search for truth and justice, not to pursue personal or political gain or harass the innocent,” Baldwin’s lawyers said in a statement. “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.”

Morrissey has since fired back with a statement of her own.

“In October 2023 the prosecution team became aware that Mr. Baldwin intended to file a retaliatory civil lawsuit,” she said in response to the lawsuit. “This was three months before the grand jury indicted him. We look forward to our day in court.”

Baldwin has long been seen as a controversial figure in Hollywood who is known for his temper, as he is prone to angry public outbursts. Many believe to this day that he should have been held accountable for Hutchins’ death.

Only time will tell how this lawsuit turns out for Baldwin.