Halyna Hutchins' Husband Wants Alec Baldwin Back On Trial For 'Rust' Shooting

Actor Alec Baldwin may not be out of the woods yet when it comes to his "Rust" trial. In October 2021, a gun that he was holding on set went off, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and hospitalizing director Joel Souza.

Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 18 months behind bars. Alec Baldwin's trial was dismissed on Friday night after Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer decided that the prosecution had colluded with law enforcement officials to hide evidence that could have helped Baldwin's case - a Brady violation that prompted one prosecutor to resign before the hearing had come to an end.

Although Baldwin's trial has been dismissed with prejudice and he will not face criminal charges related to the shooting of Halyna Hutchins, her husband, Matthew Hutchins, still wants to see the 66-year-old actor held responsible for his late wife's death.

On Friday night, while Alec Baldwin was celebrating his big win, Halyna Hutchins' husband Matthew Hutchins released a statement expressing his desire to drag the "30 Rock" actor back in front of a jury.

“We respect the court’s decision,” his attorney, Brian J. Parish, told Deadline on Friday night. “We look forward to presenting all the evidence to a jury and holding Mr. Baldwin accountable for his actions in the senseless death of Halyna Hutchins.”

It is unclear whether or not Hutchins wants to continue the initial wrongful death lawsuit that he filed in January 2022 or if he wants to allege a breach of agreement lawsuit stemming from their October 2022 settlement.

Approximately one year after Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed on the set of "Rust," Matthew Hutchins said that he had reached a settlement with Alec Baldwin and other "Rust" producers. "We have reached a settlement, subject to court approval, for our wrongful death case against the producers of Rust, including Alec Baldwin and Rust Movie Productions, LLC. As part of that settlement, our case will be dismissed," Matthew said in a statement obtained by Peoplemagazine at the time.

"The filming of Rust, which I will now executive produce, will resume with all the original principal players on board in January 2023," he continued. "I have no interest in engaging in recriminations or attribution of blame (to the producers or Mr. Baldwin). All of us believe Halyna's death was a terrible accident. I am grateful that the producers and the entertainment community have come together to pay tribute to Halyna's final work."

Director Joel Souza, who was hospitalized after being hit in the shoulder, went on to say, "Those of us who were lucky enough to have spent time with Halyna knew her to be exceedingly talented, kind, creative, and a source of incredible positive energy. I only wish the world had gotten to know her under different circumstances, as it surely would have through her amazing work."

"In my own attempts to heal, any decision to return to finish directing the film could only make sense for me if it was done with the involvement of Matt and the Hutchins family," Souza continued. "Though certainly bittersweet, I am pleased that together, we will now complete what Halyna and I started. My every effort on this film will be devoted to honoring Halyna's legacy and making her proud. It is a privilege to see this through on her behalf."

One of Alec Baldwin's lawyers, Luke Nikas of Quinn Emanuel, said, "Throughout this difficult process, everyone has maintained the specific desire to do what is best for Halyna's son. We are grateful to everyone who contributed to the resolution of this tragic and painful situation."

Attorney Melina Spadone of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman spoke on behalf of Rust Movie Productions, LLC, saying, "We are pleased the parties came together to resolve this matter, which, subject to court approval, marks an important step forward in celebrating Halyna's life and honoring her work."

In 2022, Brian Panish, the attorney for Matthew Hutchins, appeared on NewsNation's Dan Abrams Live to talk about the tragic shooting ahead of the settlement. At the time, he claimed that Alec Baldwin "caused a death that was reckless and never needed to happen," and that her family was still "looking for answers" following her tragic passing.

The lawyer continued, "Alec Baldwin is continuing to do what he's done throughout this — he's blaming others. He's not accepting any responsibility. He lays off fault on others when, in fact, but for him shooting the gun, Halyna is still here today."

"Baldwin, again, is in complete denial, accepting no responsibility, and we look forward to letting the folks, the community in Santa Fe County determine his responsibility," he added.

In response to those accusations, Baldwin's attorney released a statement saying that "any claim that Alec was reckless is entirely false."

"He, Halyna, and the rest of the crew relied on the statement by the two professionals responsible for checking the gun that it was a 'cold gun' — meaning there is no possibility of a discharge, blank or otherwise," the statement continued. "This protocol has worked on thousands of films, with millions of discharges, as there has never before been an incident on a set where an actual bullet harmed anyone. Actors should be able to rely on armorers and prop department professionals, as well as assistant directors, rather than deciding on their own when a gun is safe to use."

According to the complaint obtained by People magazine, Matthew Hutchins alleged that Alec Baldwin "and the other Defendants, in this case, failed to perform industry-standard safety checks and follow basic gun safety rules while using real guns to produce the movie Rust, with fatal consequences."

The complaint asked for punitive damages, as well as damages to be determined at the trial. It also asked for funeral and burial expenses, as well as compensatory damages for "the loss of love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, protection, affection, society, guidance, training, assistance and moral support" of the late cinematographer.

"Rust" wrapped filming in the spring of 2023 but has yet to find a buyer.