In brief
Actor Alec Baldwin is facing a civil trial after a judge ruled that a lawsuit by lighting technician Serge Svetnoy can proceed. The lawsuit alleges Baldwin was negligent in a shooting that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during the filming of 'Rust.' A civil trial date is provisionally set for October 12, pending any potential settlement.
Actor Alec Baldwin could face a civil trial over a 2021 shooting on the set of the film 'Rust,' after a judge ruled a lawsuit could go to trial. The lawsuit, filed by Serge Svetnoy, who worked as the lighting technician on the film, alleges Baldwin was negligent leading up to the shooting.While rehearsing a scene on the film set in New Mexico, Baldwin's prop gun fired a live round, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. Baldwin has denied pulling the trigger, and a criminal case against him was dismissed in 2024.Svetnoy claims a bullet narrowly missed him and accuses Baldwin and the film's production company of violating gun safety protocols. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Maurice Leiter allowed Svetnoy's claims of negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress, while dismissing a claim of assault.If no settlement is reached, a civil trial date has been provisionally set for 12 October. Baldwin and the movie's producers had previously settled a lawsuit with Hutchins' family. A New Mexico judge dismissed the criminal case against Baldwin due to the withholding of evidence by police and prosecutors. The charge was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be revived.The film's armourer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prison in 2024.
