Alec Baldwin delays deposition in ‘Rust’ set shooting case

Alec Baldwin refuses to appear for Rust shooting deposition until court approves his request to testify only once.

Actor Alec Baldwin is refusing to appear for a scheduled deposition related to the fatal 2021 shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film Rust, citing unresolved legal conditions. According to Us Weekly, Baldwin’s legal team filed court documents on September 10 objecting to a deposition scheduled by Serge Svetnoy, a gaffer who worked on the film and later filed a lawsuit for emotional distress.

Baldwin, 67, argued that the scheduled deposition on September 19 conflicts with a previously agreed-upon arrangement. He contends that he should only be required to testify once, with that transcript applicable to both Svetnoy’s lawsuit and a separate legal case underway in New Mexico. His attorneys informed Svetnoy on August 28 that the deposition would not proceed unless all involved parties consented to a single deposition for both suits.

Svetnoy’s lawsuit, filed in 2021, alleges emotional trauma after witnessing Hutchins' death on October 21, 2021. The suit claims the bullet that killed Hutchins, fired from a prop gun held by Baldwin, narrowly missed Svetnoy. On social media, Svetnoy attributed the tragedy to "negligence and unprofessionalism" on set.

Baldwin has denied all allegations of wrongdoing. In response to Svetnoy’s complaint, Baldwin’s attorney acknowledged the tragic nature of Hutchins' death but emphasized that Baldwin had been told the gun was not loaded. The actor's team further argued that while Svetnoy may have experienced emotional distress, he suffered no physical injuries and that his claim is not grounds for liability.

Baldwin previously faced criminal charges in connection to Hutchins’ death, but those charges were dropped in July 2024 due to alleged prosecutorial misconduct. In October 2024, a judge ruled against reopening the manslaughter case, despite renewed efforts by prosecutors.

Baldwin’s legal team maintains that a settlement reached with Hutchins’ family should have resolved the matter, and continues to contest Svetnoy’s ongoing civil claim.