It’s been more than a year since actor Alec Baldwin fired a gun on the set of the movie Rust and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Since then, there have been multiple investigations and lawsuits.

What’s the status of each case, and what does it mean for the shooter?

The Shooting

October 21, 2021, was a fairly normal day on the set of the movie Rust. The crew was filming on location in Santa Fe, New Mexico and preparing for a scene which featured a close-up of Baldwin drawing a .45 revolver from a shoulder holster. According to reports, the movie’s first assistant director, Dave Halls, called out “cold gun” and handed the revolver to Baldwin, who is a star of the movie and also one of its producers.

Baldwin moved to practice the cross-draw motion, and the gun went off.

It discharged live ammunition that hit Halyna Hutchins, the movie’s cinematographer, and Joel Souza, the movie’s director. Hutchins died from her injuries.

The Script Supervisor’s Civil Lawsuit

In November 2021, the first legal action over the shooting took place. The movie’s script supervisor, Mamie Mitchell filed a civil lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against the producers of the film, including Mr. Baldwin, and several members of its crew.

The lawsuit claims assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and deliberate infliction of harm, and requested unspecified damages. As reported by the New York Times, the lawsuit said, “Alec Baldwin intentionally, without just cause or excuse, cocked and fired the loaded gun even though the upcoming scene to be filmed did not call for the cocking and firing of a firearm.”

The case is weaving its way through the court system (more on its status later in this post).

Related: Types of Personal Injury Cases: See If You Have a Claim   

The Hutchins’ Family Wrongful Death Lawsuit

In February 2022, Hutchins’ family filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Santa Fe, New Mexico, against Baldwin, the film’s production companies, its producers, and other key members of the crew. It alleged numerous industry-standard violations, according to reports.

In October 2022, the family reached a settlement. While all the details haven’t been released, Halyna Hutchins’s husband Matthew Hutchins shared some of the details of the settlement in a statement.

Matthew Hutchins indicated that the wrongful death case will be dismissed, filming of the movie will resume, and he will now serve as an executive producer, which means he will receive a portion of the film’s profits.

As for assigning blame to Baldwin, Matthew Hutchins said, “I have no interest in engaging in recriminations or attribution of blame.”

Related: How Do You Sue for Wrongful Death? 

The Criminal Investigation

In October 2022, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department said it completed its criminal investigation into the shooting. It delivered its investigative report but didn’t publicly disclose whether it had recommended charges be filed.

According to Forbes, it’s now up to New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies and her team to decide whether or not to bring charges. It was reported that the New Mexico Board of Finance granted the DA’s office over $300,000 to be used to possibly prosecute up to four people.

At this time, no charges have been filed.

Related: Will Alec Baldwin Face Criminal Charges in Movie Set Shooting?   

The Baldwin Cross-Complaint

In November 2022, Baldwin filed his own lawsuit related to the shooting. He filed a cross-complaint to the lawsuit filed by script supervisor, Mamie Mitchell.

According to reports, the cross-complaint is against the production’s armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed, assistant director David Halls, prop master Sarah Zachry, armorer assistant Seth Kenney, and the prop weapon and ammunition supply store company Kenney owns.

All four of the individuals included in the cross-complaint were also named as defendants, along with Baldwin, in Mitchell’s lawsuit. Baldwin’s cross-complaint says Baldwin is being seen as the “perpetrator of this tragedy,” and it was filed to “clear” Baldwin’s name.

It outlines what Baldwin’s team believes is the misconduct of others on the set. The lawsuit says, “This tragedy happened because live bullets were delivered to the set and loaded into the gun, Gutierrez Reed failed to check the bullets or the gun carefully, Halls failed to check the gun carefully and yet announced the gun was safe before handing it to Baldwin, and Zachry failed to disclose that Gutierrez Reed had been acting recklessly off set and was a safety risk to those around her.”

Baldwin is suing for damages and asking for indemnification from legal damages that might arise from Mitchell’s case. We’ll have to wait and see what happens in Mitchell’s original lawsuit as well as Baldwin’s cross-complaint.

Related: What’s the Difference Between a Civil and Criminal Case? 

Have a Trusted Attorney by Your Side

One incident can lead to a variety of lawsuits and investigations. If you are involved in a legal matter, make sure you have an attorney by your side who can handle whatever issues come your way.

To talk to an attorney who can fight for you on civil or criminal charges. Schedule a free call with attorney TJ Grimaldi to see how he can help you navigate complex legal challenges. Request your consultation or call 813-226-1023 today.

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones is a polarizing figure who has been accused of many things. But recently, he was accused of something that led a court to order him to pay almost a billion dollars to his victims.

What led the court to order Alex Jones to pay $965 million, and will he pay it?

Why Was Alex Jones on Trial?

Alex Jones is a radio host who runs media channels that share content heavily based on conspiracy theories. At one point, his most popular show and website, Infowars, was reported to receive about 10 million monthly visits.

One of the conspiracy theories Jones shared most on Infowars was related to the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings. The mass shooting led to the death of 26 people, including 20 children and six educators.

Jones regularly stated on his show that the shooting was a hoax and that the people involved — parents and families of the victims and an FBI agent who was one of the first responders on the scene — were hired “crisis” actors.

Jones’ audience grew as he spread conspiracy theories about the Sandy Hook shooting — and according to people involved, it also led to emotional agony for the families of the victims.

In 2018, multiple families filed defamation suits against Jones and Infowars’ parent company Free Speech Systems. The lawsuits alleged that the parties spread conspiracy theories about the shooting to grow their audience and make millions of dollars in the process.

Related: Dealing With the Media During a High-Profile Case: What to Expect

Was Jones Found Liable?

The defamation suit, filed in Connecticut civil court, included multiple families of Sandy Hook victims. Relatives of five children and three educators were involved. There were originally three cases filed in Connecticut, but they were combined into one case.

All of the families shared similar stories. Families said they were threatened and harassed for years by people who believed the shooting was a hoax. The abuse took place in person with people showing up at their homes. They also received online harassment and abusive comments.

One parent said a conspiracy theorist went as far as urinating on his son’s grave and threatening to dig up the coffin. The daughter of the Sandy Hook principal who was killed said she received rape threats in the mail.

The family alleged that the conspiracy theorists were motivated by Jones’ allegations that the shooting was a hoax.

Jones was found liable in the case by default. 

Jones failed to cooperate with court orders during the discovery process of the case. He failed to share evidence and turn over records that would have shown the estimated profits made by spreading the Sandy Hook conspiracy theories. His lack of engagement led the families to win a default judgment against him.

It was then up to the jury to determine how much Jones would have to pay.

They decided on $965 million.

Related: What’s the Difference Between a Civil and Criminal Case? 

What Led to the $965 Million Verdict?

On October 12, 2022, the jury ordered Jones to pay $965 million in compensatory damages to the plaintiffs. They also said punitive damages should be awarded. Scheduled hearings in November will determine the amount of punitive damages, according to PBS reporting.

While the jury didn’t say how they came up with the amount, Christopher Mattei, an attorney for the plaintiffs, had asked jurors to award at least a half a billion dollars. He said the amount would represent the more than 550 million online impressions Jones’ Sandy Hook lie allegedly received online.

This $965 verdict comes after a court in Texas recently awarded $50 million in another case against Jones filed by other parents of a Sandy Hook victim. Jones is also facing another lawsuit in Texas related to the shooting.

Related: Get Good Legal Representation by Asking This One Question

So, Will Jones Have to Pay?

Jones has publicly stated that he believes the Sandy Hook shooting is real, but his statement doesn’t mean he is going to pay up.

In the Texas trial, Jones testified that he could only afford to pay $2 million, even though an economist testified that Jones and his company were likely worth as much as $270 million.

In July 2022, before the verdict in the Connecticut case was reached, the company Free Speech Systems filed for bankruptcy to begin to attempt to protect their assets. On October 22, 2022, Jones asked the Connecticut court to throw out the $965 million verdict and order a new trial.

While families have been offered a win, we will have to wait and see if they receive any of the $965 million awarded to them.

Fight for Your Rights

You have rights, and you deserve an attorney who will fight for them. If you find yourself in a civil or criminal legal matter, talk to attorney TJ Grimaldi to see how he can help you seek justice for you or your loved ones. Call now or schedule your meeting to see how TJ can be a trusted attorney by your side.

TJ stands with the victims of gun violence. TJ is an Executive Director and Board Member of The Oulson Family Foundation which provides funds to help kids get what they need in the wake of being directly or indirectly impacted by gun violence. The organization was created to honor the life and legacy of Chad Oulson, whose life ended in a senseless act of gun violence. Learn more about The Oulson Family Foundation and see how you can also help victims of gun violence.

In the last year, NFL superstar Tom Brady has been making news on the football field and off. The latest breaking news puts a spotlight on his home life. Speculation has grown that Brady and his supermodel wife, Gisele Bündchen are headed toward a divorce.

If the rumors are true, what would a Brady-Bündchen divorce look like? How would the powerhouse couple divide up the life — and millions of dollars they built together?

The Brady-Bündchen Love Story

When Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen met, Bündchen was one of the most famous supermodels in the world. She had an empire of her own, making millions through her advertising and modeling campaigns. Brady was a well-known football player but not yet the greatest quarterback of all time.

The two married in 2009. In the time since their marriage, Bündchen slowed her career a bit while Brady established himself as one of the most influential NFL players of all time. The couple grew their celebrity and wealth, and they acquired millions in assets.

In early 2022, it seemed they were ready to call it quits on their football life, and Brady announced his retirement. But after only 40 days, Brady changed his mind and announced that he would return to football.

According to reports, his return was good for Tampa Bay where he plays for the Buccaneers. But, it wasn’t good for his marriage. Bündchen is reportedly upset at his decision to return, which could be the reason why Bündchen was recently spotted leaving a divorce attorney’s office.

Many are now speculating that Brady, 45, and Bündchen, 42 are getting ready to file for divorce.

So, what would happen if the rumors are true?

Related: How to Prepare for the First Meeting with a Divorce Attorney

Where Would the Couple File for Divorce?

The couple owns multiple properties, but their primary residence appears to be in the state of Florida. They recently purchased a $17 million mansion in Indian Creek in Miami, Florida.

With their primary residence in Florida, they would need to file for divorce in Florida, and their divorce would follow Florida divorce laws.

Related: How to File for Divorce in Florida   

What Would the Divorce Process Look Like?

At this time, it appears that Bündchen is leading the possible divorce process. If she were to file for divorce, Brady would then be served with divorce papers.

After divorce papers are served, Brady would have twenty days to file an answer. The answer would tell the court if he agrees or disagrees with the initial filing. From there, the couple would need to create an agreement to divide up their assets and liabilities and set guidelines for child custody and support.

It is rumored that the couple has a prenup that could make their split-up easier. Like Kim Kardashian and Kayne West, who had a prenup, the couple came into their marriage with a large amount of wealth on both sides, so it wouldn’t be unusual to already have an agreement in place. But, they would still need to determine what to do with assets gained during their marriage and to make plans for their children. They could argue these issues in court or choose to go through divorce mediation.

Related: 6 Ways to Prepare for Divorce Mediation

What’s at Stake?

If Brady and Bündchen move forward with their divorce, they will need to come to an agreement regarding many aspects of the life they built together.

Distribution of Financial Assets, Debts, and Properties:  The couple will need to split up millions of dollars in assets and property. According to PEOPLE Magazine, the couple owns “a house at the exclusive Yellowstone Resort in Montana, a $3.5 million NYC apartment, a home in Costa Rica, and the $17 million mansion they purchased in Miami’s elite Indian Creek Island.” They also have millions of dollars of assets. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Bündchen is reportedly worth $400 million, while Brady is worth an estimated $250 million.

Child Custody, Parenting Time, and Child Support: Bündchen and Brady have two children together: Benjamin Rein, 12, and Vivian, 9. They also co-parent Brady’s son John Edward, 15, with Brady’s ex, Bridget Moynahan. Part of their divorce settlement will involve agreements on child custody, parenting time, and child support. Whoever has more custody responsibilities may be entitled to child support.

Related: 5 Types of Child Custody and What They Mean for Your Family   

Spousal Support: Both Bündchen and Brady have made millions in their careers, but that doesn’t mean neither will have to pay spousal support. While Bündchen may have a higher net worth, she could be entitled to support if the court focuses on the couple’s more recent earnings. Bündchen has taken time away from work to focus on her family while Brady has been focusing on his career and earning higher wages in the past few years. Brady originally signed a two-year $50 million deal with the Buccaneers in 2020, and he recently signed a 10-year $375 million deal with Fox Sports. His recent earnings could make it more likely that Bündchen could receive some sort of spousal support.

Rumors and expectations for the divorce are all speculative, so we will have to wait and see what the future holds for Brady and Bündchen.

Find a Trusted Divorce Attorney

Even with a prenup and planning, managing a divorce can be complicated and messy. If you are getting ready to go through a divorce, make sure you have a divorce attorney you can trust by your side. Contact TJ Grimaldi today to see how he can help guide you through your divorce process and fight for you. Schedule your consultation or call 813-226-1023 today.

In 1999, 18-year-old Hae Min Lee was found dead. Despite her ex-boyfriend’s claims that he was innocent, Adnan Syed was sentenced to life in prison for her murder. Now, after more than twenty years and a popular podcast about the murder, Syed is out of prison.

Will “Serial” podcast subject Adnan Syed become a free man?

Syed Found Guilty for The Murder of Hae Min Lee

In 1999, 18-year-old Hae Min Lee went missing. After a month of searching, Lee was found buried in a park near Baltimore, Maryland. Her death was ruled a homicide by strangulation.

The investigation into her murder led to 17-year-old Adnan Syed. Syed was Lee’s ex-boyfriend, and two pieces of evidence made him a prime suspect. Cell phone records showed a ping from Syed’s phone on a tower near the park where Lee was found. More telling, a classmate of Syed and Lee testified that he helped Syed bury Lee’s body.

The two pieces of evidence were enough to lead a jury to convict Syed. He was found guilty of murder, robbery, kidnapping, and false imprisonment and was sentenced to life in prison.

Related: If You’re Arrested for a Crime, Immediately Take These 6 Steps

“Serial” Podcast Exposes Holes in Syed’s Conviction

Fourteen years after the verdict, Syed became the subject of the podcast, Serial.

The podcast, released in 2014, was extremely popular and downloaded around 100 million times. It revisited Syed’s case, pointing out the holes in the story and presenting the possibility that Syed was innocent.

Among the evidence was the statement of Asia McClain. A fellow classmate, McClaim said she was with Syed at the time of the murder. She said she contacted Syed’s attorney at the time of the trial because she wanted to testify, but Syed’s attorney never contacted her.

The podcast highlighted other errors made by Syed’s attorney, Maria Cristina Gutierrez and documented how she was disbarred in 2001 after multiple client complaints. The podcast also shared how physical evidence was never tested for DNA and that the cell phone tower data might not have been credible.

Many listeners began to believe in the possibility of Syed’s innocence. But, could a podcast reverse a verdict?

Related: Dealing With the Media During a High-Profile Case: What to Expect

Moving Through The Appeals Process

Many listeners hoped Syed’s case might be reversed in February 2015 when a court agreed to hear an appeal and granted a hearing to introduce new evidence. The appeals process was slow and long. The case went back and forth with appeals from both sides, and in 2018, Maryland’s highest court eventually denied Syed a new trial. The Supreme Court refused to hear his case, and it seemed Syed had run out of options.

Then, a new Maryland law brought Syed’s case back into the court system in 2022.

The Maryland law allows “prosecutors the discretion to modify sentences of offenders who were under 18 at the time of their crimes and had served at least 20 years in prison.” So in March 2022, prosecutors agreed to review Syed’s case and conduct new DNA testing due to advances in genetics profiling.

The investigation found multiple reasons to believe Syed’s conviction may be incorrect.

As reported by The New York Times, prosecutors said their investigation found:

• The potential involvement of two “alternative suspects”
• Key evidence that prosecutors might have failed to provide to Syed’s lawyers
• “Significant reliability issues regarding the most critical pieces of evidence” presented at trial

In September 2022, prosecutors officially asked for Syed’s conviction to be overturned. Marilyn J. Mosby, the state’s attorney for Baltimore City, said in a statement, “After a nearly yearlong investigation reviewing the facts of this case, Syed deserves a new trial where he is adequately represented and the latest evidence can be presented.”

Related: The Best Criminal Defense Attorneys Have These 7 Qualities

Will Syed Go Free?

On September 19, 2022, Judge Melissa M. Phinn of Baltimore City Circuit Court vacated Syed’s conviction, stating that prosecutors made a compelling argument that Syed’s conviction was flawed.

At age 41, Syed walked out of prison.

Syed’s legal story isn’t over just yet. He must remain under home detention while prosecutors decide what to do about his case. Maryland prosecutors have 30 days to decide if they want to proceed with a new trial or drop the charges.

If they decide to have a new trial, Syed will have another chance to prove his innocence in court.

If they decide to drop the charges, Syed will walk away as a free man.

Related: Get Good Legal Representation by Asking This One Question

The Importance of a Strong Legal Defense

Syed’s case is a reminder of how important it is to have a strong legal defense team. If you are arrested or charged with a crime, make sure you have a criminal defense attorney who will fight for you to get the most just and fair outcome.

To discuss any pending criminal cases, talk to TJ Grimaldi today. Schedule your meeting or call 813-226-1023 now.

The world was shocked on January 26, 2020, when basketball legend Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, and seven others were killed in a helicopter accident. Now, more than two years later, Bryant’s wife Vanessa Bryant has been awarded millions of dollars from Los Angeles County.

What led the jury to award $15 million to Bryant’s family?

The Terrible Accident

It wasn’t unusual for the Bryant family to use a helicopter to avoid the congested roadways near their home in Orange County, California. But, the ride on January 26, 2020, didn’t end as usual.

Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and six other passengers (which included two of Gianna Bryant’s teammates and their parents) were headed to the girl’s basketball game when, according to reports, the pilot of the helicopter became disoriented. Investigators believe the pilot entered a blanket of clouds and thought he was climbing when he was descending rapidly.

The helicopter crashed into a hillside killing all nine people on board.

The Photos of the Terrible Accident

When responders arrived at the scene, all of the passengers were deceased. The debris was scattered across the length of a football field. What some first responders did upon arriving is what led to Bryant’s lawsuit.

Some of the first responders took photos of the scene and victims on their personal devices.

Bryant alleged, “No fewer than eight sheriff’s deputies at the crash site, pulled out their personal cell phones and snapped photos of the dead children, parents and coaches. The deputies took these photos for their own personal gratification.”

Bryant also alleged responders showed the photos to others and tried to cover it up.

Eight months after the accident, Bryant filed a lawsuit claiming civil rights violations, negligence, emotional distress, and violation of privacy.

The filing from Bryant’s legal team said, “Discovery has shown that the close-up photos of Gianna and Kobe’s remains were passed around on at least twenty-eight Sheriff’s Department devices and by at least a dozen firefighters.”

“It has also shown that Defendants engaged in a cover up, destroying the direct forensic evidence of their misconduct and requiring extensive circumstantial evidence to establish the full extent of that misconduct.”

Related: What’s the Difference Between a Civil and Criminal Case? 

The Trial

Bryant filed the lawsuit in federal court. The lawsuit also included another plaintiff Chris Chester, whose wife Sarah and daughter Payton were also killed in the accident.

As reported by CNN, the trial began on August 10, 2022 and revealed many details about the aftermath of the 2020 crash.

Bryant took the stand and described how she asked Los Angeles County Sheriff, Alex Villanueva to secure the scene to prevent paparazzi from gaining access. She said Villanueva assured her the scene would be secure.

Bryant also described the panic attacks and anxiety she has over the possibility of seeing the photos from the accident and how she received messages on Instagram indicating that people had photos of her loved ones. Her attorney showed a comment sent to her which said, “Ima leak Kobe’s body” along with helicopter and fire emojis.

Law enforcement personnel also took the stand. Some gave details about how they shared photos, and multiple witnesses described how a sheriff’s deputy trainee asked them if they wanted to see photos of the victim’s bodies.

After the 11-day trial, the jury came to a decision.

Related: Two Years Later, Why Is Vanessa Bryant Still in a Legal Fight Over Kobe’s Death?

The Verdict

The jury unanimously found Los Angeles County liable for damages.

Bryant had not made a specific request for damages, and attorneys for the Chester family had requested up to $32.5 million. In the end, the jury awarded both Bryant and Chester $15 million each.

The awards is broken down as:

• $1.5 million to each plaintiff from the sheriff’s department for past emotional distress
• $7.5 million to each plaintiff from the sheriff’s department for future suffering
• $6 million to each plaintiff from the L.A. County Fire Department for emotional suffering

(Initially, the jury awarded $16 million to Bryant, but it was later reduced to $15 million when a juror discovered an error.)

Bryant doesn’t plan to keep the money.

She said she will donate the $15 million to the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation. The non-profile began as the Mamba Sports Foundation but was later renamed to honor both Kobe and Gianna Bryant. It provides funding and sports programming to underserved athletes.

Related: Dealing With the Media During a High-Profile Case: What to Expect

Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones

You and your family deserve to be protected. If you feel you have had your rights violated, talk to an attorney who can help you get the justice you deserve. If you have a civil case to discuss, such as a wrongful death or family law matter, talk to TJ Grimaldi today.

All consultations are free. Request your appointment or call 813-226-1023 now.