Alec Baldwin is asking a federal judge to remove legal immunity from Santa Fe prosecutors and law enforcement in his civil lawsuit, claiming they conspired against him in the 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of “Rust.” In January 2025, Baldwin filed the lawsuit, alleging malicious prosecution after his criminal manslaughter trial was dismissed in the summer of 2024. The dismissal came after a judge ruled that key evidence had been mishandled and withheld from the defense. This week, Baldwin’s attorneys submitted an 18-page court filing asking the judge not to shield those named in the lawsuit, including Special Prosecutor Kari Morrissey, First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, and the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office. “He wants to know what were the activities of the Sheriff’s deputies, the investigators, and the prosecutors outside of the courtroom in preparing the case,” KOAT legal expert John Day says.Baldwin’s legal team accuses the defendants of coordinating to secure what they call “a groundless indictment,” shaping the investigation to target Baldwin, hiding or destroying evidence, and presenting false testimony. “Did they make mistakes? Did they intentionally hide evidence? Because those are the serious allegations that Baldwin is trying to get into,” Day added.Santa Fe County and the other defendants argue they cannot be sued because they were acting in their official capacities. “Santa Fe County wants this case stopped in its tracks before there’s any discovery. In other words, before there’s any depositions or questioning or things like that,” Day said.While Baldwin’s case is high-profile, Day noted that claims of unfair prosecution are not unique. “A lot of people have been in his position. He’s just one of the highest-profile people in his position,” Day said.The next steps in the case depend on the judge’s decision, which will determine whether the lawsuit is dismissed entirely or if parts of it proceed. KOAT reached out to attorneys for the defendants, but they did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Alec Baldwin is asking a federal judge to remove legal immunity from Santa Fe prosecutors and law enforcement in his civil lawsuit, claiming they conspired against him in the 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of “Rust.”
In January 2025, Baldwin filed the lawsuit, alleging malicious prosecution after his criminal manslaughter trial was dismissed in the summer of 2024. The dismissal came after a judge ruled that key evidence had been mishandled and withheld from the defense.
This week, Baldwin’s attorneys submitted an 18-page court filing asking the judge not to shield those named in the lawsuit, including Special Prosecutor Kari Morrissey, First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, and the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office.
“He wants to know what were the activities of the Sheriff’s deputies, the investigators, and the prosecutors outside of the courtroom in preparing the case,” KOAT legal expert John Day says.
Baldwin’s legal team accuses the defendants of coordinating to secure what they call “a groundless indictment,” shaping the investigation to target Baldwin, hiding or destroying evidence, and presenting false testimony.
“Did they make mistakes? Did they intentionally hide evidence? Because those are the serious allegations that Baldwin is trying to get into,” Day added.
Santa Fe County and the other defendants argue they cannot be sued because they were acting in their official capacities. “Santa Fe County wants this case stopped in its tracks before there’s any discovery. In other words, before there’s any depositions or questioning or things like that,” Day said.
While Baldwin’s case is high-profile, Day noted that claims of unfair prosecution are not unique. “A lot of people have been in his position. He’s just one of the highest-profile people in his position,” Day said.
The next steps in the case depend on the judge’s decision, which will determine whether the lawsuit is dismissed entirely or if parts of it proceed.
KOAT reached out to attorneys for the defendants, but they did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
