Judge denies Alec Baldwin’s request to dismiss suit filed by ‘Rust’ crew members

A New Mexico judge on Wednesday dismissed a request filed by Alec Baldwin’s attorneys to dismiss a civil lawsuit filed by three “Rust” crew members who alleged that poor safety training on the set endangered the cast and crew of the Joel Souza-directed western.

Baldwin, who is the star and one of the producers of the film, was pointing a gun at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during an on-set rehearsal at the Bonanza Creek Ranch set in New Mexico on Oct. 21, 2021.

The gun went off, killing Hutchins and wounding Souza.

Earlier this year, Ross Addiego, Doran Curtin and Reese Price, who worked on “Rust” as contractors, sued Baldwin and co-defendants El Dorado Pictures and Rust Movie Productions for “negligent and reckless conduct,” according to Deadline.

They allege producers cut corners on safety, as Baldwin skipped his own safety training.

On Wednesday, Chief District Judge Bryan Biedscheid rejected a request by Baldwin’s attorneys to dismiss the lawsuit. He also declined to delay the proceedings until the conclusion of the criminal trial.

The star’s legal team said that doing so could put Baldwin — who can still face criminal charges for the shooting — at risk of self-incrimination since prosecutors have yet to decide whether to refile charges against him.

The court is putting Baldwin in an “unfortunate position,” his lawyer Robert Schwartz said.

“What’s going to happen is Mr. Baldwin is going to assert his 5th Amendment rights and the plaintiffs are not going to get any discovery in the meantime,” Schwarz said.

Biedscheid disagreed, adding the court would be mindful of Baldwin’s rights.

The 65-year-old actor and producer was charged with involuntary manslaughter in late January, but the charges were dropped three months later over concerns about the state of the firearm in question.

With News Wire Services