Attorney for Hutchins Family Says Alec Baldwin Rust Case Dismissal 'Strengthens Our Resolve to Pursue Justice' in Civil Case

An attorney for the family of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins said that Alec Baldwin's involuntary manslaughter case being dismissed "only strengthens our resolve to pursue justice in the civil case."

On Saturday, July 13, attorney Gloria Allred spoke to reporters outside of a courthouse in Santa Fe, New Mexico — one day after Baldwin's case was dismissed with prejudice by Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer. Allred said that she "respectfully disagrees" with the dismissal, per CBS News.

"The dismissal only strengthens our resolve to pursue justice in the civil case that we have filed against him in Santa Fe, New Mexico," said Allred, who represents the late cinematographer's parents and sister.

The attorney added that the news was "devastating to the family in Ukraine who mourn Halyna's loss every day" and that they intend to "fight to the end," per the outlet. Allred does not represent Halyna's widower, Matthew Hutchins, who previously settled a wrongful death lawsuit that he filed in 2022. Matthew previously said he believed his wife's death was a "terrible accident" and that he had "no interest in engaging in recriminations or attribution of blame (to the producers or Mr. Baldwin)."

In footage from her announcement, shared by KCAL-TV, Allred also said she was "dedicated" to holding Baldwin, 66, and the "entire Rust production accountable" in the civil lawsuit, which she noted was "not affected by the decision of the court yesterday in the criminal case."

"Our case is important, because we believe that everyone — yes, even celebrities like Alec Baldwin and producers — should follow accepted safety protocols so that all crew members have a safe workplace," Allred said.

Baldwin's criminal charge was dropped on Friday, July 12 — nearly three years after the gun he was holding while rehearsing a scene on the Rust movie set in October 20 -

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21 discharged and killed Hutchins, also injuring director Joel Souza.

Baldwin's defense attorneys argued in court that the prosecution buried evidence — specifically ammunition discovered by a man named Troy Teske (a friend of the father of convicted Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed). Baldwin's lawyer Luke Nikas said the evidence was "critical" in the case and "was never disclosed to us."

“The late discovery of this evidence during trial has impeded the effective use of evidence in such a way that it has impacted the fundamental fairness of the proceedings,” the judge said, in part, during the trial.

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While Baldwin cannot again face involuntary manslaughter charges over Hutchins' death, he still faces the civil suit announced by Allred in February 2023 on behalf of members of the Hutchins family.

Requesting for a judge to dismiss the family suit in April 2023, Baldwin's lawyers wrote that the plaintiffs had been "distanced from Halyna physically, financially and emotionally for years before her death" and had "no viable cause of action against Defendants," calling the suit "especially misguided." In response, Allred told PEOPLE they were "not surprised that Alec Baldwin is once again attempting to avoid responsibility."

In an Instagram post on Saturday, July 13, Baldwin broke his silence about the judge's decision in the criminal case.

"There are too many people who have supported me to thank just now," the actor wrote alongside an image of himself in court. "To all of you, you will never know how much I appreciate your kindness toward my family."

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