Following the dropping of criminal charges against Alec Baldwin in connection with the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust in 2021, Hutchins’ family is now filing a civil lawsuit. The lawyer for Hutchins’ parents and younger sister declared that they would depose Alec Baldwin under oath and seek damages, according to Gloria Allred
In July 2024, Baldwin’s criminal case, which was based on accusations of involuntary manslaughter, was dismissed abruptly due to procedural problems, including improper management of evidence by law enforcement. A revolver that Baldwin was holding discharged during a practice, killing Halyna Hutchins. Baldwin, the movie’s co-producer and star, insists he just drew back the hammer and never fired the gun
Prosecutors in New Mexico were accused of ignoring the rights of Hutchins’ family, and Allred expressed dismay that they decided not to appeal the case dismissal. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez defended his decision not to appeal by citing court decisions that found the prosecution had made serious procedural errors
In regard to all the constraints described above, the Hutchins family remains very adamant that a legal lawsuit is the right approach for seeking justice. Allred confirmed that she is ready and prepared to prove that Hutchins has a strong connection with her family, a relevant element in their damages suit. Baldwin tried to delay the civil action and denied responsibility over the incident
For her role in the tragedy, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the movie’s armorer, was handed the maximum sentence of one and a half years in prison. The son and widower of Hutchins had already reached agreement on their respective lawsuits. Allred remains committed to hold Baldwin and the makers of the film accountable. She has called Torrez “the Grinch who stole Christmas,” and his decision not to pursue the criminal case any further a betrayal of the victims