Alec Baldwin is set to undergo a civil trial in October regarding the 2021 Rust shooting that resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, following a ruling by a Los Angeles judge that the case should advance.
The lawsuit was initiated by Serge Svetnoy, a gaffer on the New Mexico set, who alleges emotional distress due to negligence.
Although Svetnoy did not sustain physical injuries from the shooting, he claims to have experienced the effects of the blast and heard the gunshot at close proximity.
In a summary judgment ruling confirmed by PEOPLE, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Maurice Leiter permitted the case to proceed to trial, with Svetnoy’s attorney saying, “Mr. Baldwin is the last line of defense. Guns generally do not shoot themselves.”
The incident occurred on October 21, 2021, when a prop gun held by Baldwin, 68, who served as both the lead actor and a producer on the film, discharged a live round on the New Mexico set, resulting in Hutchins’ death and injuring director Joel Souza.
This civil case introduces another legal chapter to what has already been a lengthy and distressing process for Baldwin.
In January 2023, he and the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, faced two counts of involuntary manslaughter.
The charges against Baldwin were dismissed in April 2024, only to be reinstated after a new grand jury investigation in January 2024 reportedly uncovered evidence indicating that he had pulled the trigger.
Alec Baldwin’s legal team attempted to have these charges dismissed prior to the commencement of the July 2024 trial, but their request was initially rejected.
However, just days into the trial, the judge dismissed the case with prejudice, citing the late discovery of evidence that had “affected the fundamental fairness of the proceedings.”
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