Judge Dismisses Alec Baldwin’s Lawsuit Against ‘Rust’ Prosecutors

A significant development has emerged in the protracted legal battle surrounding the tragic “Rust” movie shooting, as a New Mexico judge has officially dismissed Alec Baldwin’s misconduct lawsuit against prosecutors and sheriff’s officials.

The lawsuit, filed by the acclaimed actor earlier this year, accused various New Mexico law enforcement and public officials, including special prosecutor Kari Morrissey and District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, of malicious abuse of process, defamation, and mishandling of critical evidence.

Judge Casey Fitch’s ruling on Tuesday, July 29, cited a lack of “significant action” in the case over the preceding 180 days as the primary reason for the dismissal, though the order allows for a potential reinstatement within 30 days if any party seeks it.

Baldwin, who faced involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the “Rust” film set, claimed in his suit that prosecutors had conspired to fabricate a criminal case against him for political and personal gain.

This judicial dismissal follows a complex legal journey, which saw Baldwin initially charged with manslaughter. The charges were later dropped after a judge ruled that the special prosecutor and sheriff’s office had allegedly withheld crucial evidence concerning the source of the live round that killed Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza.

The tragic on-set incident that claimed Halyna Hutchins’ life sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, marking Hollywood’s first fatal on-set shooting in nearly three decades and prompting widespread calls for a comprehensive overhaul of firearms safety protocols in film productions.

During a rehearsal on the New Mexico set, Hutchins died when Baldwin pointed a pistol at her. His lawyers have contended that the actor cocked the weapon and possibly pulled the trigger while setting up a camera shot, leading to the devastating outcome for the esteemed cinematographer.

Prosecutors involved in the case had previously indicated their expectation of a retaliatory civil lawsuit from the actor, underscoring the contentious nature of the legal proceedings surrounding the “Rust” tragedy.