Baldwin Sues New Mexico Officials for ‘Malicious’ Prosecution and Defamation – One America News Network
OAN Staff James Meyers
11:13 AM – Friday, January 10, 2025
Alec Baldwin is suing officials in Santa Fe, New Mexico, after a judge dismissed the involuntary manslaughter case tied to the 2021 shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of “Rust.”
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The 66-year-old actor submitted a 73-page civil rights lawsuit on Thursday at Santa Fe’s First Judicial District Court against special prosecutor Kari Morrissey, Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, and several other officials involved in the case.
Baldwin alleges that the defendants violated his civil rights through “malicious” prosecution, abuse of process, and defamation, among other accusations.
The lawsuit contends that the defendants deliberately concealed evidence and procured false testimony while pursuing the case. It further argues that the prosecutors aimed to unjustly blame Baldwin for the actions and negligence of others, irrespective of the evidence or applicable law.
“Defendants, acting under the color of law, conspired to secure a baseless indictment against Baldwin and to maliciously advance Baldwin’s trial and conviction, violating his constitutional rights through their improper use of criminal proceedings,” the lawsuit asserts.
Baldwin is also demanding a new jury trial and seeks compensatory and punitive damages.
The judge’s decision to drop the appeal reinforced Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer’s ruling during the trial, where she dismissed the case based on claims that police and prosecutors had “withheld evidence” from Baldwin’s defense team.
Baldwin’s attorneys, Alex Spiro and Luke Nikas, issued a joint statement to the Hollywood Reporter at the time.
“Today’s ruling to dismiss the appeal is the ultimate vindication of what Alec Baldwin and his legal team have maintained from the start: this was an unspeakable tragedy, yet Alec Baldwin committed no crime. The rule of law remains upheld in New Mexico,” the statement declared.
This past summer, Sommer dismissed the involuntary manslaughter proceedings against the “30 Rock” actor, citing that the prosecution concealed evidence from Baldwin’s legal representatives.
“The state’s intentional withholding of this information was deliberate and willful,” Sommer stated. “If this behavior does not amount to bad faith, it certainly comes close enough to indicate significant prejudice.”
In October, Sommer reaffirmed her decision to dismiss the case.
Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer for the film, passed away shortly after being shot by Alec Baldwin during a rehearsal for “Rust” in October 2021, which occurred at a film set ranch near Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Baldwin, who served as both lead actor and co-producer, was pointing a revolver at Hutchins when it discharged, resulting in Hutchins’ death and injuring director Joel Souza. Baldwin later asserted that he pulled back the hammer but did not pull the trigger, claiming the revolver fired a bullet unexpectedly.
He faced involuntary manslaughter charges in January 2023.
In March, “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed was found guilty of loading a live round into the revolver and was subsequently sentenced to 18 months in prison.
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