Outcome of ‘Rust’ Case Could Lead to Civil Lawsuit Against Alec Baldwin

In Santa Fe, New Mexico, the resolution of the criminal case involving Alec Baldwin and the tragic shooting of a cinematographer has paved the way for a civil lawsuit by the deceased woman’s family. The attorneys representing the plaintiffs in the civil suit mentioned on Tuesday that this development allows for the deposition of the actor and progress in the related civil case.

During a press conference in Los Angeles, victims’ rights lawyer Gloria Allred expressed the disappointment of Halyna Hutchins’ parents and younger sister regarding the decision not to appeal the dismissal of the involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin. The charge was dropped during the trial in July due to allegations of evidence being withheld by the police and prosecutors.

The incident occurred when Hutchins was fatally shot during a rehearsal on the set of the movie “Rust” in October 2021 at a ranch near Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Baldwin, the lead actor and coproducer, was pointing a pistol at Hutchins when it discharged, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin has said he pulled back the hammer — but not the trigger — and the revolver fired.

Allred said Hutchins’ relatives are determined to pursue damages and compensation from Baldwin and “Rust” producers in New Mexico civil court, and want Baldwin to answer questions under oath in the proceedings. Hutchins’ widower and son previously reached a separate legal settlement.

“With the withdrawal that was made public yesterday, we are now able to proceed with our civil case,” Allred said. “Clearly, the rights of Alec Baldwin were protected, but the due process rights of the victims — Halyna Hutchins and her parents and her sister — were violated.”

Allred said she’s ready to prove that Hutchins had a close relationship with her parents and sister — a prerequisite for seeking civil damages.

In November court filings in the civil lawsuit, Baldwin denied allegations that he was negligent or at fault in the shooting of Hutchins and sought to suspend the case. Attorneys for Baldwin could not immediately be reached Tuesday.

Allred read a statement from Hutchins’ sister, Svetlana Zemko, that said, “Mr. Baldwin must be held accountable.”

In April, a judge sentenced movie weapons supervisor Hannah Gutierrez-Reed to the maximum of 1 1/2 years at a state penitentiary on an involuntary manslaughter conviction in Hutchins’ death.

Allred condemned New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez for declining to appeal the dismissal of the criminal charge against Baldwin, calling him “the Grinch who stole Christmas” at the Christmas Eve news conference.

Torrez spokesperson Lauren Rodriguez defended the decision in an email, citing “significant procedural irregularities” identified by the judge in the criminal case.

“Attorney General Torrez will not prolong the grief and anguish of Ms. Hutchins’ family in the vain attempt to salvage the compromised criminal case against Mr. Baldwin,” Rodriguez said. “There are other victims’ families in Santa Fe County and across New Mexico who are awaiting justice, and our energy needs to be devoted to supporting those cases on appeal.”