Alec Baldwin May Sue Prosecutors Over Withheld Evidence in 'Rust' Shooting Case

Alec Baldwin considers suing New Mexico state prosecutor Kari Morrissey and Sheriff Adan Mendoza after it was revealed they withheld evidence while attempting to prosecute Baldwin for a fatal shooting on the 'Rust' set. A judge dismissed charges against Baldwin, but Hannah Gutierrez, the weapons handler, was convicted.

Alec Baldwin has notified a New Mexico state prosecutor and sheriff of his potential intention to sue following revelations that evidence was withheld from his defense during a flawed prosecution attempt regarding a fatal shooting on the movie set of 'Rust.'

On Friday, a New Mexico judge dismissed involuntary manslaughter charges against Baldwin, aligning with his lawyers' claim that prosecutor Kari Morrissey and the sheriff's office hid evidence about the live round that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021. In response, Baldwin's attorneys sent letters to Morrissey and Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza requesting the preservation of documents for future litigation, according to Reuters.

The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office confirmed receipt of Baldwin's legal team's letter but did not offer further comments, while Morrissey did not immediately respond to inquiries. Hutchins was killed when Baldwin accidentally fired a live round from a gun inadvertently loaded by chief weapons handler Hannah Gutierrez, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in March.

Serving an 18-month prison sentence, Gutierrez filed a motion for charge dismissal on Tuesday, citing prosecutors' failure to disclose evidence related to the live rounds, gun testing by firearms expert Lucien Haag, and an interview with the film's props supplier, Seth Kenney. Assistant prosecutor Erlinda Johnson resigned on Friday shortly before charges against Baldwin were dropped, stating that prosecutorial disclosure obligations were unmet.

Johnson told Reuters that she provided unredacted documents to the defense after being approached for information that Morrissey failed to supply, emphasizing the necessity of transparency from prosecutors to both the public and defendants.

(Reporting By Andrew Hay; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)

(With inputs from agencies.)