Alec Baldwin sues over fatal shooting on 'Rust' set

In New Mexico, actor Alec Baldwin filed a civil lawsuit against state prosecutors over a manslaughter charge related to the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the movie 'Rust.' The lawsuit was submitted in state district court in Santa Fe, where a judge previously dismissed the involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin last July, ruling in favor of the actor. Prosecutors decided to withdraw their appeal following this decision, leading Baldwin to assert that he faced malicious prosecution and civil rights violations by the involved parties. Included in the lawsuit are allegations of defamation, as Baldwin claims that the prosecutors and investigators mishandled evidence while pursuing the charges against him. The defendants mentioned in the lawsuit comprise special prosecutor Kari Morrissey, Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, and investigators from the Santa Fe County sheriff's office. Baldwin's legal team criticized the prosecutors for seeking to blame Baldwin for actions taken by others, despite the available evidence suggesting otherwise. Baldwin emphasized in his lawsuit that the fundamental purpose of criminal prosecution is to pursue truth and justice, rather than to act for personal or political gains or to harass innocent individuals. His attorneys, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, stressed the need for accountability for the alleged misconduct faced by Baldwin, aiming to prevent similar occurrences in the future involving other individuals entangled in the legal system. The tragic incident occurred in October 2021 during a rehearsal for 'Rust' at a film-set ranch near Santa Fe, where Baldwin, serving as both the lead actor and co-producer, unintentionally discharged a pistol that resulted in the death of Halyna Hutchins, while also injuring director Joel Souza. Baldwin’s defense rests on his assertion that he simply pulled back the hammer of the revolver without pulling the trigger, resulting in the weapon firing unexpectedly. This incident has drawn significant media attention as Baldwin works to clear his name and achieve justice following the fallout from that tragic event.