Alec Baldwin’s lawsuit over fatal Rust shooting dismissed — what happens next?

A New Mexico judge has dismissed actor Alec Baldwin’s lawsuit alleging malicious prosecution and civil rights violations related to the 2021 fatal shooting on the set of the Western film Rust, according to the Associated Press.

As quoted by AP, the dismissal, announced Wednesday, was without prejudice due to inactivity on the claim filed earlier this year in state district court. Baldwin’s legal team has 30 days to file a motion to reinstate the case.

Lead attorney Luke Nikas told The Associated Press the dismissal is a procedural matter, noting ongoing settlement talks with the defendants. “We will refile promptly if those discussions are not resolved favourably,” he said.

The defendants include special prosecutor Kari Morrissey, Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, three Santa Fe County sheriff’s investigators, and the county board of commissioners.

Baldwin had faced involuntary manslaughter charges last year, which were dismissed amid allegations that police and prosecutors withheld evidence. The trial was disrupted after it was revealed that ammunition linked to the case had been stored in the sheriff’s office months earlier.

Baldwin’s lawsuit claims defamation and accuses prosecutors and investigators of targeting him for political or professional motives.

The tragic shooting occurred in October 2021 during a rehearsal for Rust at a film set near Santa Fe, when Baldwin discharged a prop pistol that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza. Baldwin has maintained he pulled back the hammer but did not pull the trigger.

Speaking recently at San Diego Comic-Con, Baldwin reflected on the court proceedings, calling the experience surreal and noting that his life has improved since the trial ended.

Meanwhile, Baldwin and other Rust producers face a separate civil lawsuit filed by Hutchins’ family in New Mexico state court. A deposition for Baldwin in that case was postponed in May and has yet to be rescheduled.

(With inputs by AP)