The conclusion of a criminal case against Alec Baldwin in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer clears the way for a civil lawsuit by relatives of the deceased woman and efforts to depose the actor under oath, the Associated Press reports. Victims’ rights attorney Gloria Allred said that the parents and younger sister of deceased cinematographer Halyna Hutchins were disappointed that prosecutors won't appeal the dismissal of an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin. The criminal charge was dismissed halfway through the trial in July on allegations that police and prosecutors withheld evidence from the defense. Hutchins died after being wounded during a rehearsal in the movie “Rust” in October 2021 at a film-set ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe, N.M. 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 seek compensation from Baldwin and “Rust” producers in New Mexico civil court, and want Baldwin to answer questions under oath. 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 that he was negligent or at fault in the shooting of Hutchins and sought to suspend the case. In April, a judge sentenced movie weapons supervisor Hannah Gutierrez-Reed to the maximum of 1 1/2 years in prison 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.” Torrez spokesperson Lauren Rodriguez defended the decision, citing “significant procedural irregularities” identified by the judge in the criminal case.