Prominent Lawyer Reacts to Baldwin’s ‘Rust’ Lawsuit Dismissal

Gloria Allred at Saturday’s news conference

SANTA FE, NM (KRQE) – An attorney in a civil lawsuit that claims a crowd of “Rust” workers created an “unsafe environment” when the gun that killed Halyna Hutchins went off has spoken out about Alec Baldwin’s verdict this week.

“I guess in some sense, poetically speaking, he probably feels like he missed the bullet,” said Gloria Allred, an attorney representing the Hutchins family.

The lawsuit, which names Alec Baldwin as a defendant, alleges that the production of “Rust” was fraught with “hazardous conditions” and several crew members did not properly follow safety protocols or precautions. The suit seeks both compensatory and punitive damages. Allred is confident her team will win the suit.

“It doesn’t change the fact that Alec Baldwin killed Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust,” Allred said. “It doesn’t change the fact that he fired a loaded gun while pointing at a human being.”

Allred, a high-profile attorney known for taking on cases that focus on women’s rights and sexual abuse, said during Saturday’s news conference that he “respectfully disagrees” with the court’s decision earlier in the week.

“The dismissal of the criminal case against Alec Baldwin is in no way, shape, or form an exoneration of him,” Allred added. “The court’s decision is not a decision on the merits of the criminal case against him.”

Allred shared her disappointment with the judge’s decision not to pursue other available options, such as a mistrial. She claims that would have allowed Baldwin’s prosecution to proceed. She added that she hopes the Santa Fe District Attorney’s Office will appeal the judge’s decision. However, she has concerns about whether the appeal would be successful.

“It might be a right without an appeal because of the application of double jeopardy, but I think it will be vindication that this is not a case that should have been dismissed yesterday,” Allred explained.

Following the dismissal of the criminal case against Baldwin on Friday afternoon, the Hollywood star was seen in high spirits at a Mexican restaurant celebrating the judge’s decision. However, Allred says the celebration might be a little premature.

“Maybe someone should remind him that the party’s not over,” Allred said. “This case will continue and continue and we will have a jury trial in this case.”

The lawsuit also named the film’s assistant director, David Halls, and already-convicted gunsmith Hannah Gutierrez. A court date in the case has not yet been set.