Judge Allows Crew Member’s Emotional Distress Lawsuit Against Alec Baldwin to Proceed to Trial

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has cleared the way for chief lighting technician Serge Svetnoy to take his emotional distress claims against Alec Baldwin to trial nearly five years after a live round killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the New Mexico set of the Western Rust.

On April 17, 2026, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Maurice Leiter denied summary judgment motions from Rust Movie Productions LLC, Alec Baldwin, and El Dorado Pictures. The civil trial of Serge Svetnoy's emotional distress claims against Alec Baldwin is scheduled for October 12, 2026, in Los Angeles.

An earlier trial date of May 26, 2026, was postponed to pursue further discovery and explore settlement. Judge Maurice Leiter allowed claims of negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress to proceed against Alec Baldwin. He dismissed the assault count against Alec Baldwin, finding no evidence Baldwin intended harm.

Judge Maurice Leiter ruled that punitive damages were available, stating that a reasonable jury could find that Mr. Baldwin recklessly disregarded the probability that pointing a gun in the direction of someone, with his finger on the trigger, would cause emotional distress. Judge Maurice Leiter ruled that the fact that others were responsible for safe firearm handling on set does not relieve Mr.

Baldwin of his duty of care. Forbes reported that the ruling came after Baldwin's defense argued he bore no responsibility for set safety, was not involved in hiring decisions, and did not select the props. Halyna Hutchins died on the set of the film Rust in New Mexico on October 21, 2021.

Serge Svetnoy filed a negligence suit in November 2021. 45 revolver during a rehearsal on the set of Rust. 45 revolver killed Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza.

Joel Souza recovered from his wound. Serge Svetnoy was standing a few feet away from Halyna Hutchins when she was shot. Serge Svetnoy held Halyna Hutchins in his arms as she died. The criminal manslaughter case against Alec Baldwin was dismissed in July 2024 over prosecutorial misconduct.

““Mr. Baldwin is the last line of defense. Guns generally do not shoot themselves.””

“— John Upton, plaintiff’s counsel Alec Baldwin maintains he pulled back the hammer, did not pull the trigger, and that the revolver fired on its own. Svetnoy's complaint describes injuries including anguish, fright, horror, nervousness, grief, anxiety, shock and ongoing emotional trauma that have compromised his ability to work. The shooting prompted changes in how Hollywood handles firearms. In July 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 132. SB 132 mandates training and certification for armorers and prop masters, restricts live ammunition to narrow circumstances, and requires productions receiving California’s tax credit to hire an independent safety advisor. The Safety on Productions Pilot Program took effect on July 1, 2025, and runs through June 2030. Baldwin himself sued the New Mexico prosecutors in January 2025 for malicious prosecution and civil rights violations. Hutchins’ family has its own separate civil action pending in New Mexico. The dollar figure in Svetnoy's case, if any, depends on whether it settles or reaches a jury verdict. Punitive claims involving emotional distress routinely land in the millions when juries are persuaded.”