Alec Baldwin Sues for ‘Malicious' Prosecution After Dismissal of Involuntary Manslaughter Charge inRustShooting

Mar. 15, 2025

Alec Baldwin on July 11, 2024.Photo:RAMSAY DE GIVE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

RAMSAY DE GIVE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Alec Baldwinhas filed a malicious prosecution lawsuit six months after an involuntary manslaughter charge against him, stemming from the 2021Rustshooting, was dropped.

Baldwin wasindicted in January 2024after a gun he was holding on the set of the filmRustdischarged in October 2021, killingHutchins. The charge wasdismissedin July 2024 after Baldwin’s attorneys alleged prosecutors had buried evidence. In December 2024,prosecutors dropped their notice to appealthe dismissal.

He alleges “certain defendants” purposefully hid evidence and lied while on the stand, aiming to make Baldwin the “scapegoat” for the tragedy. He wants the defendants, which include special prosecutor Kari Morrisey and District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, to be “held accountable” for their “malicious and unlawful pursuit” against him.

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The lawsuit alleges Morrissey delivered “inconsistent” testimony on the evidence she allegedly concealed. It also alleges Carmack-Altwies defamed Baldwin when she said in a 2023 CNN interview that Baldwin “had a duty to make sure the set was safe," suggesting he was at fault for Hutchins' death.

“The false and defamatory statements carry the unmistakable message that Baldwin committed a serious crime—i.e., that he negligently or recklessly caused the death of another human,” court documents allege.

Baldwin is suing for general and/or compensatory damages in an amount to be decided at trial. He’s also suing for punitive damages and attorneys' fees.

“Criminal prosecutions are supposed to be about the search for truth and justice, not to pursue personal or political gain or harass the innocent,” his legal team Alex Spiro and Luke Nikas said in a statement to PEOPLE. “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.”

Morrissey tells PEOPLE in a statement, “In October 2023 the prosecution team became aware that Mr. Baldwin intended to file a retaliatory civil lawsuit. This was three months before the grand jury indicted him. We look forward to our day in court.”

PEOPLE reached out to Carmack-Altwies for comment.

source: people.com