Four years after the movie “The Last” shooting, New Mexico authorities have transferred Alec Baldwin’s lawsuit alleging malicious prosecution to federal court.
This week’s filing is the latest development in a long legal saga that follows , who died on set in October 2021.
Baldwin, a 67-year-old star and western producer, had been charged with felony manslaughter for his role in the accidental shooting of Hutchins. But after the prosecution concluded, the judge overseeing the case against Baldwin at trial in July 2024 withheld evidence that could have helped the defense.
Six months later, Baldwin sued the New Mexico district attorney and special prosecutor, alleging malicious prosecution. The actor claimed he was made a celebrity scapegoat as local authorities were under intense media pressure to solve the high-profile case.
His lawsuit targeted Kari T. Morrissey, New Mexico’s special prosecutor for the First Judicial District. Atty. Mary Carmack-Altweese and Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Deputies led the investigation into Hutchins’ death.
The defendants deny Mr. Baldwin’s claims.
Baldwin’s wrongful prosecution suit was first filed in New Mexico state court in Santa Fe.
On Tuesday, defendants including Morrissey exercised their legal right to move the case to federal court. Luis Robles, an Albuquerque attorney representing the defendants, said the decision was in part due to “Mr. Baldwin’s federal civil rights claims in the lawsuit.”
Additionally, Baldwin does not live in New Mexico, where the lawsuit was filed.
Baldwin opposes the move and could move to have the case sent back to state court. His team could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
In July, a New Mexico judge dismissed Baldwin’s malicious prosecution claim, citing a 90-day period of inactivity in the case. Baldwin’s attorneys petitioned to reinstate the case, and a judge agreed to the request.
This prompted the defendants to move the case to the High Court.
During the Santa Fe trial last year, Baldwin’s lawyers sought to shift the focus from whether Baldwin pulled the gun’s trigger during the accidental shooting to where the deadly bullet came from.
Baldwin’s lawyers have repeatedly accused law enforcement officials and prosecutors of botching the case, including by allegedly concealing a bundle of bullets that may have been associated with the gun that killed Hutchins.
