Alec Baldwin will face a civil trial over the fatal shooting on the set of his film Rust, after a Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled that a lawsuit could proceed to trial. The lawsuit, filed by Serge Svetnoy, who worked as the lighting technician on the film, alleges that Baldwin was negligent leading up to the 2021 shooting that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza.
Key Takeaways
A civil trial against Alec Baldwin over the fatal Rust film set shooting can proceed after a judge denied motions to dismiss. Serge Svetnoy, a lighting technician, alleges negligence and emotional distress from the incident that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021.
- Civil lawsuit against Alec Baldwin moves forward to trial
- Judge denies summary judgment motion for dismissal
- Trial date provisionally set for October 12th
- Svetnoy claims negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress
- Criminal charges against Baldwin were dismissed in 2024
According to BBC, Judge Maurice Leiter allowed Svetnoy's claims of negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress, but threw out a claim of assault. The trial date has been provisionally set for October 12th if no settlement is reached. Baldwin previously settled a lawsuit with Hutchins' family and was cleared of criminal charges in 2024 after prosecutors were found to have withheld evidence.
The Los Angeles Times reports that the judge denied summary judgment motions requested by Baldwin and the film's producers, setting an October 12 trial date. Svetnoy claims he suffered trauma since Hutchins' death and was close friends with her. The lawsuit alleges negligence in Hutchins’ death and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The Guardian notes that Judge Maurice Leiter issued a summary judgment allowing the case to move forward, stating that a reasonable jury could find Baldwin recklessly disregarded safety protocols. Svetnoy's lawsuit alleges he suffered emotional distress as a result of Hutchins' shooting. Several other lawsuits related to the incident have been settled, including one with Hutchins’ family in 2023.
According to Fox News, Judge Maurice Leiter ruled that Svetnoy's lawsuit could proceed to trial, stating a reasonable jury could find Baldwin recklessly disregarded safety. The judge dismissed the criminal charges against Baldwin in July 2024 after evidence was withheld by prosecutors. Svetnoy claims he narrowly avoided being hit by the bullet and suffered emotional distress as a result.
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