The Alec Baldwin Rust lawsuit has taken a new turn as Alec Baldwin is being criticized for declining to attend a scheduled deposition related to the 2021 Rust set shooting, even as he was seen at a live taping of Dancing with the Stars in Los Angeles to support his wife, Hilaria Baldwin. This conflict, highlighted by revelations from Serge Svetnoy’s legal team, raises questions about Baldwin’s willingness to participate in ongoing legal proceedings connected to the fatal incident on set.
Repeated Delays and Accusations of Evasion
In the months following the 2021 tragedy, Serge Svetnoy, who worked as a gaffer on Rust, has been pursuing Baldwin’s deposition regarding the emotional distress he says he suffered during the incident. According to Svetnoy’s attorney, the actor and other defendants
“In every instance, [Alec and the other defendants] claimed to be unavailable or simply refused to testify.”
— Svetnoy’s Lawyer. Multiple requests for professional accommodations from Baldwin’s side have led to repeated postponements, complicating the legal process.
Svetnoy’s team pointed out a stark contradiction: Baldwin cited September 2025 work commitments as a reason for his unavailability, yet he traveled to Los Angeles to watch his wife participate in Dancing with the Stars, where Hilaria Baldwin was eliminated on October 7 in the fourth round of season 34. This public appearance intensified criticism, as many observed that while the actor had time for personal activities, he was unwilling to attend the court-mandated proceedings.
Push for a Single Deposition and Mounting Frustration
Baldwin attempted to streamline the legal process by requesting that he only be required to sit for one deposition, suggesting it should count for both Svetnoy’s lawsuit and a related case stemming from the Rust set shooting. He argued that multiple depositions were unnecessary, leading to further delays as negotiations continued.
Svetnoy’s attorney expressed frustration with the lack of progress, remarking,
“What has [Alec] done in the past 6 months to move this deposition forward? [Svetnoy] has been patient and has cooperated with [Alec’s] counsel at every turn. This cannot be disputed. But as the saying widely attributed to Albert Einstein goes, ‘The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.’ [Svetnoy] now moves [to] break this cycle of insanity.”
— Svetnoy’s Lawyer. This statement underscores the emotional and procedural exhaustion experienced by Svetnoy and his legal representatives.
Lawsuit History and Ongoing Legal Fallout
Svetnoy’s civil lawsuit against Baldwin began in 2021, alleging significant emotional distress after witnessing the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. On the day in question, Baldwin was holding the firearm when it discharged, though he has maintained he did not pull the trigger. The gun was allegedly supposed to be unloaded; nonetheless, a live round fatally wounded Hutchins and nearly struck Svetnoy, intensifying the case’s emotional weight.
In both the civil and previous criminal matters, Baldwin denied any wrongdoing. The criminal charges brought against the actor were ultimately dropped in July 2024 after the court cited alleged misconduct by prosecutors. The case saw its official closure in October 2024 after the presiding judge decided not to reopen the investigation, even as prosecutors sought to press consequences for Baldwin’s actions.
Concerns for Emotional Trauma and Settlement Details
Svetnoy continues to assert that he suffers from emotional trauma after seeing his colleague Halyna Hutchins killed and narrowly avoiding injury himself. Baldwin’s attorney addressed the circumstances in court filings, stating,
“An accidental shooting took the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on a movie set just outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico.”
— Baldwin’s Attorney. This statement reflects the defense team’s emphasis on the event as a tragic accident, rather than negligence.
Halyna Hutchins’ surviving family, Matthew Hutchins and their son, brought claims against Baldwin and the Rust film producers, which the actor previously settled. Baldwin believed this settlement would resolve his legal responsibilities, but Svetnoy pursued additional action against him, arguing that the trauma he endured required more acknowledgment and restitution. According to Baldwin’s legal team,
“Svetnoy filed this lawsuit, alleging injuries based solely on his being close by when the prop gun went off and the live round — which should not have been in the gun and for which those responsible for it had just told Mr. Baldwin that it was unloaded — traveled in front of [Svetnoy].”
— Baldwin’s Attorney.
Implications and What May Come Next in the Rust Lawsuit
The Alec Baldwin Rust lawsuit, already deeply emotional and fraught with contention, remains unresolved as arguments over accountability and trauma continue in the courts. With Baldwin’s visible public outings clashing against missed legal obligations, critics and those affected by the Rust tragedy await further judicial action. The case’s outcome may set important precedents for on-set safety practices and the legal responsibilities of producers and stars involved in similar incidents.
