Alec Baldwin faces new lawsuit from Halyna Hutchins' parents, sister over 'Rust' shooting
The parents and sister of Halyna Hutchins, the Ukrainian-born cinematographer who died on the set of "Rust" in 2021, filed a new lawsuit Thursday against Alec Baldwin and the film's various producers.
Attorney Gloria Allred said the lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, was aimed at recovering compensation for the three family members, all of whom are in war-torn Ukraine, who relied on Hutchins for financial support.
The family is "devastated by the shocking killing" of Hutchins and believes "anyone responsible for her loss must be held accountable," Allred said during a Thursday press conference. "They won't be able to enjoy life in same way. Halyna was the light in their lives."
The family members include Hutchins' mother Olga, an ER nurse in Ukraine, her father Anatoly and sister who is seven years her junior, Svetlana.
Baldwin was rehearsing a scene on the New Mexico set when the gun he was using, which inexplicably contained a live round, discharged. The bullet killed Hutchins, 42, and wounded the film's director, Joel Souza. She also left behind a husband, Matthew Hutchins, 39, and a son, Andros, 10, who previously settled another lawsuit with the actor.
The lawsuit comes on the heels of the New Mexico prosecutors officially charging Baldwin and the movie's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, with two counts of involuntary manslaughter, which carry sentences of up to five years in jail.
Alec Baldwin charged: Actor and 'Rust' armorer Gutierrez-Reed officially charged in death of Halyna Hutchins
Prosecutors have said that the charges are an effort to seek justice for Hutchins, whose death was a result of lax on-set safety protocols. Attorneys for both Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed have maintained that the charges are overzealous in a case that amounts to a tragic accident.
Alec Baldwin, Halyna Hutchins' husband settled an earlier lawsuit
The new lawsuit by Hutchins' family members stand in contrast to the February 2022 wrongful death lawsuit filed against Baldwin, as well as the film's producers and some crew, by Matthew Hutchins. In October 2022, that lawsuit was settled, with Hutchins becoming an executive producer of "Rust."
When asked about the differences between the two lawsuits, Allred said the settlement for Matthew Hutchins "was for Matthew and his child, there's been no settlement for (the family), and there's been no outreach to them by Mr. Baldwin to even say he was sorry. We want accountability and justice for them, it's as simple as that."
Last month it was revealed that the mid-budget Western movie would continue with its production. Melina Spadone, attorney for Rust Movie Productions, LLC, confirmed to USA TODAY that "Rust" will be completed with Baldwin in the lead role and with Souza returning as director. It's unclear whether Baldwin is still a co-producer or if Matthew Hutchins will retain his title as executive producer.
Spadone also confirmed there will be on-set safety supervisors and union crew members on set and that working weapons and ammunition will be barred. Spadone clarified live ammunition was always prohibited from the "Rust" set.
'Rust' movie: Production to resume with Alec Baldwin despite impending involuntary manslaughter charges
Baldwin, Gutierrez-Reed lawyers call charges 'terrible miscarriage'
Filming for "Rust" is set to resume as attorneys for both Baldwin and the film's one-time armorer, Gutierrez-Reed, get ready to defend their clients against New Mexico state prosecutors. Both legal teams had swift reactions when prosecutors officially filed charges.
Baldwin's attorney, Luke Nikas, said in a statement sent to USA TODAY that the charges represented “a terrible miscarriage of justice.”
The actor "had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun – or anywhere on the movie set. He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds. We will fight these charges, and we will win,” Nikas said.
Jason Bowles, an attorney for Gutierrez-Reed, said in a statement that prosecutors "completely misunderstood the facts and reached the wrong conclusions," noting that producers denied her request to provide more firearms training and use a fake gun for the fateful rehearsal.
"The tragedy of this is had Hannah just been called back into the church by (assistant director) David Halls, she would have performed the inspection and prevented this tragedy," Bowles said. "We will fight these charges and expect that a jury will find Hannah not guilty."
Will Alec Baldwin face jail time?: Explaining the actor's involuntary manslaughter charges
Contributing: Naledi Ushe
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alec Baldwin, 'Rust' face new lawsuit from Halyna Hutchins' family
