Loudoun County father arrested at school board meeting for standing up for kids and against leftist indoctrination cleared of wrongdoing



A Loudoun County dad was criminally charged and smeared as an extremist after he took a stand at a school board meeting in June 2021 against leftist indoctrination and "moral decay." On Wednesday, he was cleared of wrongdoing.

After his vindication in court, Jon Tigges told TheBlaze that while he does not advocate getting arrested, every person has to come to their own understanding of "what God is calling them to say and do."

For some, this might mean they "simply stop living their life on Facebook and have someone over for dinner. For others, it may be reconciling with estranged family members. ... But to do nothing in the midst of decay and injustice is disobedience [to God]," he added. "The greatest paradox is that we must die to truly live."

What's the background?

Jon Tigges was arrested on June 22, 2021, and charged with trespassing after he refused to leave a Loudoun County school board meeting that apparently did not go the way the board members wanted.

TheBlaze previously reported that the district and its board had made national headlines over the "pornographic" content in assigned books, their mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the suspension of a Christian teacher who opposed transsexual policies, and a student claim that the administrators' admission of transsexuals into girls' locker rooms put her in danger.

Over 250 people signed up to express their concerns about the school board's proposed transsexual accommodations, critical race theory, and other leftist designs foisted upon kids in the county.

Officials tried to prematurely end the meeting while concerned citizens, including Tigges, attempted to give their testimonies.

According to Loudoun Now, school board chairman Brenda Sheridan (Sterling) halted the meeting, claiming that members of the crowd were being disorderly. Superintendent Scott Ziegler, who was indicted over his handling of transsexual rapes and fired last month, then declared the gathering an "unlawful assembly," ordering the board room to be cleared.

Tigges told the sheriff clearing the room that he intended to stay until everyone had an opportunity to speak — only 51 of the 259 had been heard — and that the meeting, which was scheduled to run at least another hour, was technically not over.

He was handcuffed and dragged outside.

In a video of the arrest, Tigges can be heard informing the deputies taking him away, "This is an unlawful arrest. I have a First Amendment right."

\u201cTwo arrests made at the Loudoun County, Virginia school board meeting after it was declared an unlawful assembly and some parents here to protest against critical race theory and a transgender policy refused to leave right away #CriticalRaceTheory\u201d
— Gabriella Borter (@Gabriella Borter) 1624390451

In September 2021, Tigges was found guilty of trespassing by Judge Ian Williams in a Virginia district court.

Tigges announced his appeal soon thereafter, noting, "Public officials can't stop public comments just because they don’t like what is being said, nor can they demand that attendees not make noise of any kind."

Judge Douglas Fleming Jr. of the 20th Judicial Circuit in Virginia happened to agree with him.

\u201c\u201cNot guilty\u201d\n\nRuling today on my arrest for trespassing at the 6/22/21 Loudoun County School Board meeting.\u201d
— Jon Tigges (@Jon Tigges) 1672863554

Vindicated

On Wednesday, Fleming cleared Tigges of any wrongdoing.

Fleming found both that Tigges had a First Amendment right to attend the meeting and that Ziegler had no right to declare the meeting an "unlawful assembly," thereby nullifying the grounds for the trespassing charge, reported the Federalist.

"Unlike the first two judges who ruled against my case, Judge Fleming actually made a ruling based on state statutes. ... The first judge stated that since Ziegler didn’t 'feel safe” he could have peaceful protesters arrested. The second judge determined that a person’s constitutional right to speech and assembly were not allowed during a meeting recess," Tigges told TheBlaze. "Three's a charm I guess."

Tigges suggested that the ordeal opened his eyes "to just how deep and dark the rabbit hole of evil really is. Helped me see that real freedom is grounded on (1) faith, (2) family, and (3) friends — not government."

The Loudoun father indicated that his grounding is now firmer than its ever been. "God has never been more real or personal in my life," he said.

In terms of his family and friends, Tigges credits his wife, Chris, for withstanding what was "really a rough ride" and coming out even stronger and the "amazing people we met through this."

Even his wedding venue business, Zion Springs, which was canceled by its major referrers such as WeddingWire and TheKnot, and ultimately lost over $1 million in revenue, has rebounded, enjoying its best year ever in 2022.

While his business turns a profit, Tigges noted that he has profited from the insights he gleaned during this protracted battle to peaceably assemble and speak out against the school board's adoption and advancement of radical leftist agendas — a battle in which he and parents like him were smeared as domestic terrorists by the National School Boards Association and by elements of the Biden administration.

"I learned that I needed to stop expecting someone else to do something and take responsibility for what I could influence. That started with a long look in the mirror and realizing I had neglected giving time, treasure, and talents to my community," he said.

Tigges noted that he will move forward with the understanding that "the biggest problem ... was not that bad people are going to do bad things. I knew that already. The solution is to get good people to do good things."

"God's people sin by their silence. Faith without works is dead," Tigges suggested, noting, "We don't trust God when we display inaction in the face of justice."

The Loudoun father called on other Christians to similarly look in the mirror and to challenge "the depravity all around them. The Bible is clear that change in our world starts with the Church."

\u201cNothing will change until We the People value conviction over comfort. Despite the many bad actors here in Loudoun, I\u2019m most concerned about those who call themselves Christians. Many haven\u2019t lifted a finger or opened their mouths in protest to the depravity all around them.\u201d
— Jon Tigges (@Jon Tigges) 1672863554

Tigges indicated he will be launching a podcast on Friday called "Bedrock Blueprints," in which he'll discuss frameworks based on truth.

Elon Musk says Twitter cannot turn into 'a free-for-all hellscape'



Billionaire business tycoon Elon Musk posted a statement to Twitter advertisers explaining his motivation for purchasing the company and his plans for the social media platform.

"The reason I acquired Twitter is because it is important to the future of civilization to have a common digital town square, where a wide range of beliefs can be debated in a healthy manner, without resorting to violence. There is currently great danger that social media will splinter into far right wing and far left wing echo chambers that generate more hate and divide our society," Musk said in the statement. "In the relentless pursuit of clicks, much of traditional media has fueled and catered to those polarized extremes, as they believe that is what brings in the money, but, in doing so, the opportunity for dialogue is lost."

Musk, who has previously expressed support for allowing free speech within the confines of the law, said that the social media platform cannot turn into "a free-for-all hellscape."

"That is why I bought Twitter. I didn't do it because it would be easy. I didn't do it to make more money. I did it to try to help humanity, whom I love. And I do so with humility, recognizing that failure in pursuing this goal, despite our best efforts, is a very real possibility," he continued. "That said, Twitter obviously cannot become a free-for-all hellscape, where anything can be said with no consequences! In addition to adhering to the laws of the land, our platform must be warm and welcoming to all, where you can choose your desired experience according to your preferences, just as you can choose, for example, to see movies or play video games ranging from all ages to mature."

"Fundamentally, Twitter aspires to be the most respected advertising platform in the world that strengthens your brand and grows your enterprise," Musk noted.

The tweet received scads of responses on the social media platform.

Nina Jankowicz, who was previously tapped to lead the Department of Homeland Security's "Disinformation Governance Board," tweeted that she hoped "Twitter's important work on content moderation and online abuse won't be scrapped (and ideally improved upon because the platform isn't currently warm and welcoming) but I'm not optimistic." Ultimately, DHS paused the plans for the Disinformation Governance Board, Jankowicz resigned, and DHS scrapped the program.

"What's the point of being the richest man in the world if you can’t own free speech?" tweeted Condé Nast legal affairs editor Luke Zaleski, who has previously used that exact same line in the past.

"Dude plans on letting the neo-Nazis and the MAGA seditionists back in. And he has the nerve to talk about creating some kind of middle ground for discussion," John Aravosis tweeted in response to Musk's post. "Dear Twitter Advertisers: I've been on Twitter for 14 years. Until recently, it was a cesspool of neo-Nazis who routinely terrorized Jews, Blacks, gays, women, Muslims and more — with impunity. 'Free Speech' Elon is bringing that all back. Advertise here, and we'll destroy you," he wrote in another tweet.

"Elon Musk acquires Twitter, and immediately bends the knee to who truly matters: its big corporate advertisers," John Schwarz tweeted.

\u201cElon Musk acquires Twitter, and immediately bends the knee to who truly matters: its big corporate advertisers https://t.co/2jgbekIexg\u201d
— Jon Schwarz, Mayor, Arkham MA (@Jon Schwarz, Mayor, Arkham MA) 1666885845

Hillary Clinton compares Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler, says MAGA supporters are like Nazis



Hillary Clinton recently likened former President Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler. She also compared MAGA supporters at Friday's Trump rally to Nazis.

Earlier this month, Trump held a rally in Youngstown, Ohio. Near the conclusion of the rally, some Trump supporters made a one-finger gesture that was likely an endorsement of the QAnon conspiracy theory.

Trump held his latest rally in Wilmington, North Carolina. During Friday's event, a handful of attendees made the pointing finger gesture. However, security at the Trump event are seen on video asking people to stop making the hand motion.

\u201cWhen the crowd holds up their fingers again at the Trump rally tonight to give the QAnon sign, security moves through them and has them put it down.\u201d
— Ron Filipkowski \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Ron Filipkowski \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1663984595

PBS "NewsHour" correspondent Lisa Desjardins was at Friday night's rally, and said, "Confirmed with people at Trump rally who held 1 finger up that they meant it as a symbol of QAnon’s 'Where We Go One We Go All' and further… Security staff here fanned out and told people to take down their fingers. That is a reason why – maybe main reason - we saw fewer" finger gestures than in the previous rally.

"The man in this photo held up 1 finger and told me he meant it as a WWG1WGA sign – and then the security guard in the next photo told him to take it down. He was furious 'that's my Constitutional right!' The man in the crowd told me after I saw that interaction happen," Desjardins wrote on Twitter.

Desjardins said the security staff "clearly had been directed to watch for this kind of gesture and to shut it down."

\u201cThe man in this photo held up 1 finger and told me he meant it as a WWG1WGA sign - and then the security guard in the next photo told him to take it down.\n\nHe was furious \u201cthats my Constitutional right!\u201d the man in the crowd told me after I saw that interaction happen.\u201d
— Lisa Desjardins (@Lisa Desjardins) 1663975110

Hillary Clinton said the MAGA supporters making the finger gesture were like Adolf Hitler supporters doing the Sieg Heil salute of the Nazis.

On Friday, Clinton spoke at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin, Texas.

Clinton said, "I remember as a young student, you know, trying to figure out, how people get basically brought in by Hitler. How did that happen? I'd watch newsreels and I'd see this guy standing up there ranting and raving, and people shouting and raising their arms. I thought, 'What's happened to these people? Why do they believe that?'"

She continued, "You saw the rally in Ohio the other night, Trump is there ranting and raving for more than an hour, and you have these rows of young men with their arms raised. I thought, 'What is going on?'"

Clinton theorized, "So there is a real pressure – and I think it is fair to say we're in a struggle between democracy and autocracy."

\u201cHillary Clinton likens Trump supporters to Nazis during remarks at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin\n\n"What\u2019s happened to these people?"\n\nhttps://t.co/fWLON5d2b3\u201d
— Jon Levine (@Jon Levine) 1664029708

Taylor Budowich – a spokesman for Trump – blasted Clinton for "using some of the most disgusting smears imaginable."

"It seems like perpetual-failed-candidate Hillary Clinton’s basket of deplorables has run stale, not unlike herself," Budowich told Fox News. "It's pathetic, it’s divisive, and it is further cementing her legacy of cringe."

During the 2016 presidential campaign, then-candidate Hillary Clinton denigrated half of Trump's supporters as a "basket of deplorables."

"You know, just to be grossly generalistic, you could put half of Trump’s supporters into what I call the basket of deplorables," Clinton said in September 2016. "The racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamaphobic — you name it. And unfortunately there are people like that. And he has lifted them up."

Earlier this month, President Joe Biden proclaimed that Trump and MAGA Republicans "represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic."

Beloved MLB pitcher who retired to become NYC-area police officer dies in crash on way to 9/11 memorial at 37, tributes pour in



Former Major League Baseball player Anthony Varvaro died in a car crash on his way to a 9/11 memorial ceremony in New York City on Sunday. He is survived by his wife and four children.

Varvaro played baseball at St. John’s University in New York City before going pro. He played in the MLB between 2010 and 2015. He was a relief pitcher with the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, and Seattle Mariners during his baseball career.

Varvaro retired in 2016 to become a police officer in the New York City area.

Varvaro, 37, was an officer for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

On Sunday, Varvaro was killed in a car crash while driving on his way to work at the Sept. 11 memorial ceremony in Manhattan, according to the Associated Press. He was reportedly killed by a wrong-way driver.

Tributes poured in to honor the fallen officer and former MLB pitcher.

The Atlanta Braves said, "We are deeply saddened on the passing of former Braves pitcher Anthony Varvaro. Anthony, 37, played parts of six seasons in the majors, including four with Atlanta. He voluntarily retired from MLB in 2016 to become a Port Authority police officer."

The Port Authority Police Benevolent Association said in statement, "RIP PAPD PO Anthony Varvaro, EOW 9/11/22. PO Varvaro was killed by a wrong-way driver while reporting to a PAPD 9/11 WTC detail. He served the PAPD 6 years, was 37 & survived by his wife & 4 children. Anthony, rest in the Lord's eternal embrace. Always Honored, Never Forgotten

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp urged, "Heartbreaking. Please join our family and Braves fans across the country in praying for Anthony Varvaro’s loved ones."

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said, "Heartbroken by the tragic passing of Port Authority Police Officer Anthony Varvaro. A former @MLB player, Officer Varvaro was an invaluable leader at the PA as an Academy Instructor. He was a husband and father of four, and we send our condolences to his family during this time."

The Red Sox wrote on Twitter, "We are deeply saddened by the passing of former Red Sox pitcher Anthony Varvaro. We send our sincerest condolences to the Varvaro family."

The New Jersey State Police said, "Tonight, our thoughts and prayers are with the Port Authority Police Department and the family and friends of Police Officer Anthony Varvaro, who was killed in a motor vehicle crash earlier today as he was reporting for a detail assignment at the World Trade Center 9/11 Ceremony."

Braves reporter David O'Brien tweeted, "Anthony Varvaro was a terrific guy. Loved by teammates and everyone else who knew him. R.I.P."

\u201cAnthony Varvaro, former St. John\u2019s, Mariners, Braves and Red Sox pitcher, who retired to become a Port Authority police officer, tragically was killed in a car accident en route to the 9/11 commemoration. Great guy by all counts who had two great careers. RIP. 37.\u201d
— Jon Heyman (@Jon Heyman) 1662943298


Port Authority officer dies in accident on way to September 11 event www.youtube.com

Chaos erupts at Los Angeles City Council as lawmakers vote to ban homeless encampments near schools



Chaos erupted at a Los Angeles City Council meeting on Tuesday when protesters broke through a security barricade and accosted lawmakers, who voted to ban homeless encampments near schools.

Three police officers were injured and more than 100 people were ordered to disperse from the city council chambers during a skirmish between activists and police, the Los Angeles Police Department said. One person was arrested for taking a person from lawful custody of a police officer and resisting arrest.

Councilman Paul Krekorian described the protest as an "attack" that included verbal threats against lawmakers, Fox News reported.

"In yet another attack on constitutional democracy, for the second time in a week, a small mob of extremists today again shut down a public meeting of the City Council," Krekorian said. "In the process, they breached a security barrier, physically threatened the Council, and attacked police officers. One of them was arrested two feet from my desk."

The incident occurred when dozens of demonstrators showed up for public comments ahead of a city council vote to ban homeless encampments within 500 feet of school and day-care centers. Council members voted 11-3 to approve the ordinance, expanding a law that also prohibits homeless encampments near libraries, freeway overpasses, and other locations.

Supporters of the ordinance say it is necessary for the safety of children, especially those who walk to school and have to pass encampments where drug use, sexual activity, and mental illness are rampant.

"Our students are already traumatized with social-economic issues," Councilman Joe Buscaino said. "They should not be exposed to sex acts. They should not be exposed to open drug use. They should not be exposed to psychotic behavior."

Protesters and homelessness activists have decried the law as an attack on the "unhoused." They argue that nearly 20% of the city would be sectioned off by banning encampments near schools and that lawmakers should instead provide more permanent housing to decrease encampments, according to KCBS-TV.

Demonstrators had previously disrupted a city council meeting on Aug. 2 where lawmakers held an initial vote on the ordinance.

"Enforcement of anti-camping ordinances, then, only displaces people and makes it harder for trained outreach staff to establish trust again. Residents of cleared encampments, unless connected to stable permanent housing through a trauma-informed case management process, often return to unsheltered homelessness," the nonprofit group People Assisting the Homeless said in a statement.

The Los Angeles Times reports Tuesday's meeting was contentious from the start. Members of the public shouted expletives at council members as they entered the room. When council President Nury Martinez told the audience to "grow up," they jeered back at him. And people booed when Councilman Curren Price attempted to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

Police were involved when an audience member, described as a black female, climbed over a bench and approached the city council dais, hurling expletives at lawmakers. The suspect "charged" toward Martinez and was detained by officers, police said.

While officers were attempting to detain the suspect, another individual from the crowd "intervened" to assist her. Several members of the audience then surrounded the police officers attempting to detain the first suspect, who managed to flee the location. The intervening audience member was identified as Ricci Sergienko and was arrested, police said.

Video shared by Spectrum News 1 reporter Kate Cagle shows protesters shouting "let her go" as officers detain the first suspect, who appeared to be resisting arrest. Someone repeatedly calls the officers "cockroaches."

A white woman wearing a face mask can be seen pulling the detained woman away from the police, causing a scuffle.

\u201cBREAKING: Los Angeles City Council has been disrupted again and two people detained ahead of the final vote to expand 41.18 no camping zones to all schools and daycares.\u201d
— Kate Cagle (@Kate Cagle) 1660068309

"Let her go you f***ing pig!" someone shouts at the officers. Others shout "shame on you" and other expletives.

An unlawful assembly was declared after the altercation, and the city council went into recess. LAPD officers wearing riot gear reportedly cleared the chamber.

\u201cCrowd is staying and chanting. All of City Council left except for Councilmembers Raman, Harris-Dawson, and Bonin (who have previously voted against the expansion of 41.18). LAPD also lining the side of City Council chambers\u201d
— Jon peltz (@Jon peltz) 1660067363

Lawmakers returned once the chamber was cleared and passed the ordinance. The new restrictions will prevent people from sitting, sleeping, lying on, or storing property within 500 feet of every public and private school.

"There can never be any excuse or rationalization for this kind of anarchic lawlessness," Krekorian said. "The people of our nation cannot tolerate raging extremists entering public buildings and threatening public officials with the intent to shut down the government, no matter what their viewpoints may be."

"Every Angeleno should be outraged by what happened today in their City Hall. Anyone who seeks to be a leader in this city must actively denounce this kind of nonsense in clear and unambiguous terms," he added.

Jon Stewart Gets Schooled | @Stu Does America

Jon Stewart Gets Schooled | @Stu Does America

Jon Stewart Gets Schooled

Jon Stewart Gets Schooled

Democratic state rep declares that 'the only reason to vote Republican is you're either really wealthy, really racist, or both'



Colorado state Rep. Steven Woodrow, a Democrat, has claimed that the only reason people vote in support of the GOP is that they are rich, racist, or both.

"The only reason to vote Republican is you’re either really wealthy, really racist, or both. Everything else is a rationalization," Woodrow tweeted.

One person, who apparently agreed with the state lawmaker, replied, "You forgot about the portion of the Venn diagram that really hates women. Don't forget about them!"

"Very true," Woodrow responded.

\u201c@JonCriswell Very true.\u201d
— Rep. Steven Woodrow (@Rep. Steven Woodrow) 1659207337

Woodrow also agreed with someone who accused Republicans of despising veterans, the police, and the U.S. Constitution. In response to Woodrow's comments, someone wrote, "That is unfair and intellectually dishonest. You'd also vote Republican if you hate veterans, police officers and the Constitution."

"Ha. True. Even Willy & Sal would consider their lack of morality to be a bit brazen," Woodrow replied.

Others on social media pushed back against Woodrow's suggestion that GOP voters are rich and/or racist.

"One of the most irresponsibly ignorant statements by a supposed statesman," someone tweeted.

"I'm a Democrat, I despise the Republican Party, but I know plenty of Republican neighbors who are non-wealthy/non-racist. They see us Dems as fiscally irresponsible, soft on crime/national security, anti-business/pro-socialism, anti-free speech, pro-war, & pro-illegal immigrant," someone else commented.

\u201cI\u2019m a Democrat, I despise the Republican Party, but I know plenty of Republican neighbors who are non-wealthy/non-racist. \n\nThey see us Dems as fiscally irresponsible, soft on crime/national security, anti-business/pro-socialism, anti-free speech, pro-war, & pro-illegal immigrant\u201d
— Jon Munitz \ud83d\udc8a (@Jon Munitz \ud83d\udc8a) 1659361766

Woodrow has also compared the GOP to "an abusive husband," claimed that Republicans represent the largest impediment to tackling "our greatest challenges," and said that Republicans are not "mentally healthy."

"The GOP is like an abusive husband that says if he can’t have America, then dammit no one can," he tweeted.

"The GOP is chalk-full of liars, from Trump to SCOTUS. How embarrassing they can’t face reality, and when called out they deflect by bashing trans people. This is not a mentally healthy group," Woodrow wrote in another post.

"I call out Republicans because they’re the biggest obstacle standing in the way of addressing our greatest challenges: concentrated wealth, rampant gun violence, systemic racism, and a rapidly warming planet," Woodrow tweeted.

"Sorry but I see gun violence, racism, climate change, and rising authoritarianism—all thanks to the GOP," he declared in another tweet.

\u201c@yourdad86367063 Sorry but I see gun violence, racism, climate change, and rising authoritarianism\u2014all thanks to the GOP.\u201d
— Rep. Steven Woodrow (@Rep. Steven Woodrow) 1659207337

Actor Jon Voight declares that President Joe Biden 'must be impeached'



Actor Jon Voight, who does not shy away from publicly making political statements, is calling for President Joe Biden to be impeached.

"Our police force must act on righteousness and guard our neighborhoods, our businesses, our children, our elderly, our veterans, and our handicapped. We must protect this nation and bring back safety. We're all feeling very unsafe. We're all angry," Voight declared in the video.

The actor said that Biden "has wronged this nation's glory" and "taken down our morals."

"He must be impeached. We cannot wait another second having him dictate our path," Voight said.

\u201cCan we all see eye to eye?\u201d
— Jon Voight (@Jon Voight) 1656442514

Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia said that she shared Voight's view: "@jonvoight is correct and is saying how most people feel. I'm in complete agreement and I've introduced 4 articles of impeachment of Joe Biden," the lawmaker tweeted.

The U.S. Constitution lays out the grounds on which a president should be impeached: "The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."

If Biden ever were removed from office, Vice President Kamala Harris would become the nation's new commander-in-chief. "In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President," the 25th Amendment states.

A recent Harvard CAPS—Harris Poll of registered voters found that a whopping 71% do not believe Biden should pursue a second term. Similarly, 61% do not think that former President Donald Trump should run in 2024.

President Biden, who has been underwater on his job approval numbers for quite some time, is the nation's oldest president ever, and would be 86 by the end of a second term in office. He has previously said that he intends to seek reelection in 2024 as long as he has "good health."

Alec Baldwin says he was following orders from Halyna Hutchins when handling gun, claims contract protects him from shooting death lawsuits: Docs



Alec Baldwin refused to take any responsibility for the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during the filming of the movie "Rust," according to a new filing. The Hollywood actor also argued that his contract protects him financially from any deaths that occurred during the filming of the movie in New Mexico.

New details about the "Rust" shooting death emerged through a court filing on Friday.

On Oct. 21, the movie crew were rehearsing a scene inside the church on Bonanza Creek Ranch with Baldwin as the character Harland Rust.

Content warning: Some viewers may find the video disturbing

WATCH \u2014\u00a0Lawyers for Halyna Hutchins released a video re-enacting the movie-set shooting showing when she was killed by Alec Baldwin\n\nhttps://nypost.com/2022/02/15/alec-baldwin-sued-by-cinematographer-halyna-hutchins-family/\u00a0\u2026pic.twitter.com/joRc7SkttM
— Jon Levine (@Jon Levine) 1644962303

The filing states that Hutchins "directed Baldwin to hold the gun higher, to a point where it was directed toward her."

"She was looking carefully at the monitor and then at Baldwin, and then back again, as she gave these instructions," court documents read, according to the New York Times. "In giving and following these instructions, Hutchins and Baldwin shared a core, vital belief: that the gun was 'cold' and contained no live rounds."

Baldwin asked Hutchins if she wanted him to pull back the hammer of the gun — as the script instructed — and she said, "Yes," according to the filing.

"Baldwin then pulled back the hammer, but not far enough to actually cock the gun," the filing continued. "When Baldwin let go of the hammer, the gun went off."

The Times noted that the filing described the "confusion and horror after the shooting, as Ms. Hutchins was flown by helicopter to a hospital, where she was later pronounced dead."

Baldwin’s lawyer, Luke Nikas, claimed that the actor was not responsible for the fatal shooting of the 42-year-old Hutchins.

"Someone is culpable for chambering the live round that led to this horrific tragedy, and it is someone other than Baldwin," Nikas wrote in the filing. "This is a rare instance when the system broke down, and someone should be held legally culpable for the tragic consequences. That person is not Alec Baldwin."

The filing asserts that "Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed told Baldwin, "It was her job to check the gun — not his."

"An actor cannot rule that a gun is safe," the filing said. "That is the responsibility of other people on the set."

Nikas also claimed that Baldwin's contract absolved him of any financial repercussions from death during the filming of "Rust." Nikas said that there is a clause in Baldwin's contract with Rust Movie Productions L.L.C. that releases the actor from financial responsibility for legal fees or claims stemming from death on the set of the movie. The document names Rust Movie Productions L.L.C. and producer Ryan Smith as the respondents in the claim.

The filing also said Baldwin was to be paid $250,000 to act and produce the low-budget western. The docs claim that Baldwin returned $100,000 as an "investment" in the movie.

In the weeks following Hutchins' death, Baldwin attempted to persuade the cast and crew of the movie to finish filming to honor Hutchins, according to the filing. Nikas added that there was a plan to give the insurance payout and the film's profits to the Hutchins family.

The court docs revealed that Baldwin exchanged text messages with Matthew Hutchins, the widower of the slain cinematographer. The relationship started off promising with a breakfast in Santa Fe that included Hutchins' 9-year-old son.

"Hutchins hugged Baldwin and told him, 'I guess we’re going to go through this together,'" according to the filing.

However, the relationship took a turn last month when the family of Halyna Hutchins filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Alec Baldwin and other producers for their involvement in the deadly shooting.

Mamie Mitchell — the script supervisor for the Western movie — filed a lawsuit against Baldwin in November. The suit claims that Baldwin acted "intentionally, without just cause or excuse" in the lethal shooting.

Also in November, the head of lighting for the movie filed a lawsuit against "Rust" producers, including Alec Baldwin. Key gaffer Serge Svetnoy claimed to have suffered "severe emotional distress" because of the accidental shooting on the set that "will haunt him forever."

On Saturday at the Boulder International Film Festival, Baldwin blasted people who have filed lawsuits against him and said they were only targeting him because he is wealthy.

"What you have is a certain group of people, litigants and whatever ... on whatever side who their attitude is, oh, the people who likely seem negligent have no money, and the people who have money are not negligent, but we're not gonna let that stop us from doing what we need to do in terms of litigation," Baldwin said. "So we have people that are suing people that they think are deep-pocket litigants."

The 63-year-old actor added, "Why sue people if you're not going to get money? That's what you're doing it for."