Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
'Midnight Rider' Director Pleads Guilty To Involuntary Manslaughter In Sarah Jones' Death
On the eve of his trial, the director of Midnight Rider Randall Miller has plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter charges in the death of camera assistant Sarah Jones.Jones was killed on the job last year while filming a scene on a train trestle for the Gregg Allman biopic Midnight Rider. Miller, his wife producer Jody Savin and executive producer Jay Sedrish initially pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter charges in Jones' death, but a last-minute deal was worked out just before the case was set to go to trial in Georgia's Wayne County.
Miller was sentenced to 10 years but he will only serve two years as a part of the plea agreement since this is his first offense, according to Variety. He has to perform 360 hours of community service, pay a $25,000 and not direct during his probation period. All charges against his wife Savin were waived. Sedrish was sentenced to 10 years of probation, a $10,000 fine and is also barred from directing or doing any job in film that involves the safety of employees.
Judge Anthony Harrison said he hopes the sentence sends a message: "Hopefully this will bring some meaning to this tragedy."
Jones was killed while filming on live train trestle. The railroad company said it had denied filmmakers permission to film there, but it wasn't clear who knew about the denial or allowed crew to film on a trestle. Jones and the crew constructed a set on the trestle, but they didn't have time to get out of the way when they heard a train's whistle. Jones was killed when a piece of debris knocked her into the path of the oncoming train.
Support for LAist comes from
Miller's plea is a rare moment in film history: rarely are filmmakers convicted of any crime when a worker loses their life on set. Variety notes that when a helicopter crashed on the set of Twilight Zone: The Movie in 1982, John Landis and his crew was acquitted of manslaughter charges.
Related:
'Midnight Rider' Filmmakers Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter In Sarah Jones' Death
Mugshots: 'Midnight Rider' Filmmakers Surrender To Police In Sarah Jones Case
In Honor Of Sarah Jones, Crew Members Vow To Boycott 'Midnight Rider'
Sarah Jones' Story: Camera Assistant Killed On The Job Is Honored At The Oscars
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake. -
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
Best of LAist