Alec Baldwin Alleges Rights Violations in New Lawsuit

Alec Baldwin launches a lawsuit against Santa Fe officials, alleging civil rights violations and malicious prosecution in the “Rust” shooting case.

At a Glance

Baldwin has sued New Mexico prosecutors and the sheriff’s office for malicious prosecution and civil rights violations.
The lawsuit was filed after involuntary manslaughter charges against Baldwin were dismissed in July
Baldwin seeks a jury trial for damages related to malicious abuse of process, evidence spoliation, and defamation.
The lawsuit alleges prosecutors withheld evidence and were driven by personal and political motives.

Baldwin’s Legal Counterattack

Following the dismissal of involuntary manslaughter charges against him, actor Alec Baldwin has filed a lawsuit against Santa Fe, New Mexico officials involved in the “Rust” shooting case. The lawsuit, filed in a Santa Fe court, targets prosecutor Kari Morrissey, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office Corporal Alexandria Hancock, and others for alleged malicious prosecution and civil rights violations.

Baldwin’s legal team, led by attorneys Luke Nikas and Heather LeBlanc, is seeking a jury trial to pursue damages for malicious abuse of process, intentional spoliation of evidence, and defamation. The lawsuit stems from the 2021 incident on the “Rust” film set, where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot by a live round fired from a gun Baldwin was holding.

Alec Baldwin suing Santa Fe DA, officials over handling of 'Rust' shooting case https://t.co/QQlXkv9RVq

— KRQE News 13 (@krqe) January 10, 2025

Allegations of Prosecutorial Misconduct

The lawsuit alleges that the prosecutors and law enforcement officials involved in the case were intent on convicting Baldwin for reasons unrelated to the evidence or law. Baldwin’s legal team claims that the defendants concealed exculpatory evidence and elicited false testimony in an attempt to scapegoat the actor.

“Defendants sought at every turn to scapegoat Baldwin for the acts and omissions of others, regardless of the evidence or the law,” the lawsuit states.

A significant turning point in the case occurred when Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed the charges against Baldwin in July, citing intentional evidence concealment by the prosecution. This dismissal came after Baldwin had initially been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter in January 2023, to which he pleaded not guilty.

Broader Legal Context

The “Rust” incident has sparked multiple legal proceedings. While Baldwin’s charges were dismissed, the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in March 2024 and sentenced to 18 months in prison. Baldwin has also been involved in other legal matters related to the incident, including a wrongful death lawsuit and a negligence lawsuit against crew members.

“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 Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro stated.

The lawsuit seeks both compensatory and punitive damages, alleging a conspiracy to procure a groundless indictment against Baldwin in violation of his constitutional rights. This legal action follows the state’s decision not to appeal the dismissal of charges against Baldwin, which his attorneys hailed as a final vindication of their client’s innocence.

Implications and Next Steps

As this lawsuit unfolds, it will likely draw significant attention to the conduct of prosecutors and law enforcement in high-profile cases. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for how criminal investigations and prosecutions are handled, especially when dealing with public figures.

The case continues to highlight the complexities surrounding on-set safety in the film industry and the legal responsibilities of actors and crew members. As the legal proceedings move forward, many will be watching to see how the court addresses Baldwin’s allegations and what impact this may have on future high-profile criminal cases.