Alec Baldwin has sued the prosecutors who tried to have him jailed after the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
In 2021, Hutchins was fatally shot by a gun Baldwin was holding on the set of a film titled Rust.
The actor was put on trial for involuntary manslaughter but the case was dismissed in July 2024.
Following this tragedy and dismissal of his trial, Baldwin is now suing the prosecutors including special prosecutor Kari Morrissey and Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies.
A civil lawsuit for ‘malicious prosecution’ and ‘civil rights violations’ was filed in Santa Fe on January 9.
Baldwin has alleged that prosecutors were ‘blinded by their desire to convict Alec Baldwin for all the wrong reasons’ and targeted the actor for political or professional gain.
He then alleged that evidence that could have vindicated him was intentionally concealed and mishandled.
The lawsuit read: ‘For the better part of the last three years, however, Defendants repudiated these obligations, blinded by their desire to convict Alec Baldwin for all the wrong reasons, and at any cost, for the October 2021 accidental shooting of Halyna Hutchins.
‘Defendants’ misconduct in their pursuit of Baldwin, and the trial judge’s condemnation of them, has already drawn worldwide attention. But this action is necessary to vindicate Baldwin’s rights and deter Defendants from attempting to do this to anyone else.’
The suit then alleged that Baldwin had become a ‘scapegoat’ for the incident: ‘Defendants sought at every turn to scapegoat Baldwin for the acts and omissions of others, regardless of the evidence or the law.’
The 30 Rock actor is seeking unspecified damages.
Baldwin’s lawyers Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro said in a joint statement to PA News Agency after the lawsuit was filed: ‘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.
‘We bring this action to hold the defendants accountable for their misconduct and to prevent them from doing this to anyone else.’
In a statement, special prosecutor Kari Morrissey responded to the suit by saying: ‘In October 2023 the prosecution team became aware that Mr Baldwin intended to file a retaliatory civil lawsuit.
‘We look forward to our day in court.’
In July, Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial was dismissed by a judge. A key piece of evidence leading to the dismissal of the case was ammunition was bought into the Santa Fe County sheriff’s office by a man who said it could be related to Hutchins’ death.
It is thought that the ammunition was catalogued separately, and was not included in the inventory – or tested to see if they matched the lethal round.
Baldwin’s lawyers then alleged that prosecutors did not disclose this to the defence team, claiming that it was ‘hidden’ from them, and accusing the detectives of ‘burying’ evidence’.
Taking to Instagram on July 12 after the trial, Baldwin issued a short statement. ‘There are too many people who have supported me to thank just now,’ he began.
‘To all of you, you will never know how much I appreciate your kindness toward my family.’
Metro has contacted District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies for comment.
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