Alec Baldwin‘s involuntary manslaughter case, stemming from the tragic incident on the set of Rust in 2021, has been abruptly dismissed. However, this legal reprieve may be short-lived as Matthew Hutchins, widower of the late cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, hints at renewed legal action.
Brian J. Parish, the legal representative for Matthew Hutchins, issued a statement to Deadline, saying, “We respect the court’s decision. We look forward to presenting all the evidence to a jury and holding Mr. Baldwin accountable for his actions in the senseless death of Halyna Hutchins.” This declaration suggests that the Hutchins family is contemplating further civil proceedings against the actor.
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The fatal incident occurred on Oct. 21, 2021, when a prop firearm handled by Baldwin discharged a live round during a rehearsal, resulting in Hutchins’ death and injuring director Joel Souza. Baldwin has consistently maintained that while he cocked the hammer, he did not pull the trigger, asserting that the weapon discharged unexpectedly.
Initially charged with involuntary manslaughter in January 2023, Baldwin faced potential imprisonment of up to 18 months if convicted. However, just three days into his criminal trial, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed all charges with prejudice, citing concerns over crucial evidence that had allegedly been concealed.
This dismissal comes nearly two years after Baldwin and the Rust production team reached a settlement with the Hutchins estate to resolve a wrongful death lawsuit. The agreement, announced in October 2022, included financial compensation for the family, plans for a documentary about Halyna Hutchins’ life and work, and the continuation of the “Rust” production with Matthew Hutchins as an executive producer.
At the time of the settlement, Matthew Hutchins stated, per Deadline, “I have no interest in engaging in recriminations or attribution of blame (to the producers or Mr. Baldwin). All of us believe Halyna’s death was a terrible accident. I am grateful that the producers and the entertainment community have come together to pay tribute to Halyna’s final work.”
However, sources close to the matter reveal that the agreed-upon settlement funds have not been paid as scheduled, with payments now significantly overdue, according to the outlet. This delay is reportedly due to ongoing disputes between Rust Movie Productions and insurance company Chubb, as well as complications arising from the withdrawal of New Mexico tax incentives that were intended to partially fund the settlement.
The original wrongful death lawsuit, filed in February 2022, focused on alleged safety oversights on the Rust set. Despite the settlement and the subsequent dismissal of the criminal charges, the civil case remains open in New Mexico courts as various parties continue to debate liability and insurance matters, reported Deadline.
Further complicating matters, reports have emerged of a documentary filmmaker shadowing Baldwin throughout his legal proceedings in Santa Fe, according to TMZ. This individual, described as an award-winning documentarian, has been capturing the actor’s movements and interactions, potentially for one of two competing Rust documentaries currently in production.
Meanwhile, the Rust production, which resumed filming in Montana earlier this year, faces an uncertain future. Despite completion, the film has yet to secure a distributor, with the ongoing controversy likely influencing potential buyers’ decisions, Deadline reported.
Rust attorney Melina Spadone commented on the financial complications, stating to the AP this month, “The denial of the tax credit has disrupted those financial arrangements,” highlighting the complex web of issues surrounding the settlement payments. As this multifaceted story continues to unfold, the renewed legal interest from the Hutchins family suggests that, despite the criminal case dismissal, the quest for accountability in this case is far from over.
