1 week ago
Alec Baldwin’s Civil Rights Lawsuit Over Rust Prosecution Dismissed
Alec Baldwin sued officials involved in the Rust movie shooting case.
He said prosecutors hid important evidence and tried to make him look guilty.
The case involved the accidental death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
A judge agreed that some of the prosecutors’ actions raised serious concerns.
However, the judge said prosecutors generally cannot be sued for actions taken as part of their official jobs.
Because of that legal protection, the judge dismissed Baldwin’s lawsuit.
The earlier criminal trial had ended after a dispute over ammunition that had not been properly recorded or shared with the defence.
The judge said this protection can apply even when prosecutors are accused of very serious misconduct.
A US judge dismissed Alec Baldwin’s civil rights lawsuit against Santa Fe officials.
Baldwin accused prosecutors of withholding evidence, manipulating evidence and presenting false testimony.
Judge Kea Riggs said special prosecutor Kari Morrissey is protected by absolute prosecutorial immunity.
Riggs described a “very disturbing picture of malicious prosecution” and cited repeated discovery failures.
The criminal case collapsed after undisclosed live ammunition and other evidence became central to the proceedings.
- Who
- Alec Baldwin sued Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies and special prosecutor Kari Morrissey.
- What
- Judge Kea Riggs dismissed Baldwin’s civil rights lawsuit concerning the prosecution over Halyna Hutchins’ death.
- Where
- The lawsuit concerned officials in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the United States.
- When
- The ruling was reported on October 1, with the judge ruling on Wednesday.
- Why
- The judge ruled that absolute prosecutorial immunity protected Morrissey from Baldwin’s civil claims because the alleged conduct occurred within her official duties.
Baldwin’s Allegations
Prosecutorial Immunity
Handling of evidence
Baldwin’s Allegations
Baldwin alleged that prosecutors concealed evidence that could have helped him, manipulated evidence and elicited false testimony.
Prosecutorial Immunity
The judge acknowledged discovery failures and inconsistent testimony but held that the alleged conduct fell within the prosecutor’s official duties.
Legal accountability
Baldwin’s Allegations
Baldwin’s lawsuit sought civil-rights remedies for what he described as malicious prosecution.
Prosecutorial Immunity
Riggs ruled that absolute prosecutorial immunity can shield prosecutors from civil claims, even when serious or gross misconduct is alleged.
Key facts
- Plaintiff
- Alec Baldwin
- Defendants
- Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies and special prosecutor Kari Morrissey
- Judge
- US District Judge Kea Riggs
- Underlying incident
- The accidental shooting death of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins
- Central evidence dispute
- Live ammunition turned over by retired Arizona police officer Troy Teske was not inventoried with the Rust case.
- Court’s criticism
- Riggs cited repeated discovery failures and inconsistent testimony concerning suppressed evidence.
- Outcome
- Baldwin’s civil rights lawsuit was dismissed despite the judge’s concerns about alleged prosecutorial misconduct.
Quotes
Kea Riggs
US District Judge who ruled on Baldwin’s civil-rights lawsuit
“Sometimes, it is better to leave unredressed the wrongs done by an allegedly dishonest prosecutor than to subject those who try to do their duty to the constant dread of retaliation.”
livemint.com
“This is one of those times.”
livemint.com
Sources
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