Actor Alec Baldwin is suing prosecutors and Sheriff’s Office officials, alleging “malicious” prosecution of the actor in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the Western film “Rust.”
What are the main points of the case?
The actor filed a civil lawsuit Thursday in state District Court in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where a judge dismissed a murder case against Baldwin in the death of cinematographer Helena Hutchins.
The suit filed by Baldwin also alleges defamation, saying that prosecutors and investigators intentionally mishandled evidence during their investigation.
“The defendants sought to scapegoat Baldwin for the actions and omissions of others at every turn, without regard to the evidence or the law,” the lawsuit states. It also says prosecutors and investigators targeted Baldwin for professional or political gain.
The defendants named in the lawsuit include Special Prosecutor Kari Morrissey and Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altweis, as well as three investigators from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office and the county Board of Commissioners.
Morrissey said he was aware of Baldwin’s antitrust lawsuit.
“In October 2023, the prosecution team learned that Mr. Baldwin intends to file a counter-civil lawsuit,” he told The Associated Press news agency in a text message Thursday.
“We look forward to our day in court.”
What is the background of shooting ‘Rust’?
Cinematographer Halina Hutchins died in October 2021, shortly after being injured during rehearsals for the film “Rust” at a film-set ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe.
Hutchins’ death on the film set shocked Hollywood and led to calls for overhaul of firearms safety on film sets.
Baldwin, the film’s lead actor and co-producer, was pointing a pistol at Hutchins when the shot was fired. Baldwin said he pulled the hammer back but did not pull the trigger and the revolver fired.
The case filed against Baldwin was overturned when it was revealed that ammunition was brought to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office in March by a man who said it might be related to Hutchins’ murder.
mfi/wd (AP, Reuters)
