A new lawsuit filed by three former Rust crew members claims Alec Baldwin and the film’s producers did not follow safety rules, ignored warning signs, and rushed to finish the film, leading to the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, injury of director Joel Souza, and “blast injuries” of the three plaintiffs.
The former crew members, Ross Addiego, the dolly operator; Doran Curtin, the set costumer; and Reese Price, the key grip, said they have suffered anxiety and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder due to the shooting and death of Hutchins. The three plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages due to injuries suffered on set, “including, but not limited to, hearing loss, temporary deafness, and vibrational shock,” the suit said.
ALEC BALDWIN PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER, WAIVES FIRST COURT APPEARANCE
The plaintiffs were in the church building where Hutchins was shot and killed back in October 2021. Baldwin has denied pulling the trigger, but prosecutors have charged him with involuntary manslaughter for allegedly firing the weapon while it was pointed at Hutchins. He has pleaded not guilty.
“The negligent and reckless conduct of Alec Baldwin and the Rust production cannot be excused,” Jacob G. Vigil, legal counsel for the three former crew members, said in a statement, per Fox News.
The lawsuit also claims, “These injuries were caused by Defendants’ failure to follow industry safety rules. Defendants cut corners; ignored reports of multiple, unscripted firearms discharges; and persisted, rushed and understaffed, to finish the film.” In addition to Baldwin, the defendants named are Rust Movie Productions, LLC, and El Dorado Pictures.
The lawsuit states Hutchins fell to the ground right in front of Curtin. “She watched in shock as Hutchins grabbed at her abdomen. Plaintiff Curtin put her hands on Hutchins’ stomach, trying to find the source of Hutchins’ pain and figure out what was going on. As the chaos continued, Plaintiff Curtin was ushered out of the church. Once outside, she collapsed from the effects of the blast and the shock of the shooting,” the lawsuit states, per Variety.
The plaintiffs also allege that the producers of the film cut corners and tried to rush through production, while Baldwin allegedly did not pay attention during weapons training.
In the involuntary manslaughter case against Baldwin, he initially faced a minimum five-year sentence if found guilty. However, his attorneys were able to argue that the district attorney had illegally charged him under a firearms law that was not in place in October 2021 at the time that the shooting occurred. Now, the actor only faces a maximum of 18 months in prison if convicted.
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It was reported that Rust would resume filming in the spring with a different backdrop. Instead of New Mexico, the production would move to Yellowstone Film Ranch in Montana, per the movie’s producers.
Baldwin remains an actor in the movie as well as a producer.
