Actor has filed civil lawsuit claiming prosecutors targeted him for professional or political gain, and intentionally concealed evidence that vindicated him. Actor Alec Baldwin has filed a civil lawsuit for malicious prosecution and civil rights violations against the prosecutors in his trial over the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the western movie Rust.
The lawsuit was filed Thursday at state district court in Santa Fe, where a judge in July dismissed a charge of involuntary manslaughter against Baldwin in the death of Hutchins, who was killed in 2021. Defendants named in the lawsuit include special prosecutor Kari Morrissey and Santa Fe district attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, along with three investigators from the Santa Fe County sheriff’s office and the county board of commissioners.
Baldwin alleges prosecutors targeted him for professional or political gain, intentionally concealing evidence that would have vindicated him and intentionally mishandling evidence. “Defendants, while acting under the color of law, conspired to procure a groundless indictment against Baldwin and to maliciously bring about or advance Baldwin’s trial and conviction, thus violating Baldwin’s constitutional rights by their improper use of the criminal process,” the lawsuit states.
Baldwin also alleges defamation in the suit, over statements made by prosecutors to media that he says falsely implied he was responsible for Hutchins’ death. “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, accusing Carmack-Altwies and Morrissey of manipulating evidence and eliciting false testimony.
