Alec Baldwin sues for malicious prosecution over Rust trial

Alec Baldwin has filed a lawsuit against those involved in pursuing criminal charges against him over the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the film set of Rust.

The US actor is suing the defendants, including special prosecutor Kari Morrissey and Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, for malicious prosecution and civil rights violations.

Baldwin claims prosecutors were “blinded by their desire to convict [him] for all the wrong reasons”.

In a statement, Ms Morrisey said: “We look forward to our day in court.” BBC News has contacted Ms Carmack-Altwies for comment.

Baldwin’s lawsuit alleges that prosecutors intentionally concealed evidence that would absolve the actor from blame and “sought at every turn to scapegoat” him to “maliciously bring about or advance” his trial and conviction.

In a statement to BBC News, Ms Morrissey said: “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.”

The lawsuit was filed less than a month after Ms Morrissey withdrew an appeal over the court’s decision to dismiss an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin, following the 2021 fatal shooting of Ms Hutchins on the Santa Fe film set.

Baldwin, the lead actor and co-producer of the film, was pointing a gun when the revolver went off, killing the cinematographer and wounding director Joel Souza.

The actor’s involuntary manslaughter trial was upended in July when a judge threw the case out based on the misconduct of police and prosecutors over the withholding of ammunition evidence from the defence.

After the lawsuit was filed, Baldwin’s lawyers Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro said in a joint statement given to the PA news agency: “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.”