Alec Baldwin has filed a civil lawsuit against the prosecutors and investigators involved in his dismissed involuntary manslaughter trial, accusing them of malicious prosecution and violations of his civil rights. The actor, who faced charges related to the 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust, initiated legal action on January 9 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The lawsuit targets special prosecutor Kari Morrissey, Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, and others, alleging they wrongfully scapegoated Baldwin for the incident despite a lack of evidence to support the charges.
Baldwin, who also served as a producer on the film, claims the prosecution's actions were driven by professional or political motives, which he says violated his constitutional rights. According to a statement by Baldwin’s legal team, the prosecutors were “blinded by their desire to convict Alec Baldwin for all the wrong reasons, and at any cost.” The lawsuit seeks punitive damages to the fullest extent permitted by law and emphasises that the criminal process was improperly used against Baldwin. His legal representatives, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, stated that their aim is to hold the defendants accountable for their actions and prevent similar misconduct in the future.
The trial was dismissed with prejudice in July 2023 by Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer after allegations of evidence suppression emerged. Baldwin’s defense team argued that key evidence, including ammunition that could have been crucial to his defense, was not disclosed by the prosecution. They pointed to ammunition provided by former police officer Troy Teske, which they claim could have indicated an external source of the live rounds found on the Rust set. Baldwin’s team argued that this failure to disclose evidence hindered their ability to properly defend him in court.
In a statement to E! News, prosecutor Kari Morrissey’s office acknowledged Baldwin had been considering a lawsuit for over a year, adding, “We look forward to our day in court.” Baldwin’s attorneys further criticised the actions of the prosecutors, stating, “Criminal prosecutions are supposed to be about the search for truth and justice, not to pursue personal or political gain or harass the innocent. Kari Morrissey and the other defendants violated that basic principle, over and over, and trampled on Alec Baldwin's rights.”
The lawsuit comes nearly six months after the actor's charges were dropped. Following the dismissal, Baldwin shared an emotional Instagram post, expressing gratitude to his supporters and those who had stood by him and his family. As Baldwin pursues justice for what he describes as an unjust ordeal, the case underscores the complexities surrounding legal proceedings in high-profile incidents and the importance of due process in ensuring accountability and fairness.