With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
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.
Mugshots: 'Midnight Rider' Filmmakers Surrender To Police In Sarah Jones Case
Two filmmakers charged in the death of camera assistant Sarah Jones on the set of "Midnight Rider" turned themselves in to police this weekend.
The film's director Randall Miller and producer Jody Savin surrendered to Wayne County Sheriff’s Department Sunday before posting $27,000 bond each and being released, according to Deadline. The husband and wife filmmaking team were charged with involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespassing on the set of "Midnight Rider" in Jesup, Georgia. "Midnight Rider" executive producer and unit production manager director Jay Sedrish, who was also charged, has yet to turn himself in, but he still has a week and is currently making arrangements, Deadline says.
Jones was killed on the first day of filming for the Gregg Allman biopic back in February. She and other crew members had set up to film a dream sequence on a train trestle, where allegedly the production company had not received permission to film. Jones was killed and seven others were injured while scrambling to get out of the way of an oncoming train on the trestle.
In the wake of her death, film crew members around the world rallied to have Jones included in the Oscars in memoriam segment and they vowed to boycott the production and the filmmakers behind it. Jones' parents filed a wrongful death suit claiming the filmmakers "operated without minimum safety precautions and contrary to standard industry practices for productions of this scale and for productions involving dangerous filming conditions."
Sponsored message
Related:
Sarah Jones' Story: Camera Assistant Killed On The Job Is Honored At The Oscars
In Honor Of Sarah Jones, Crew Members Vow To Boycott 'Midnight Rider'
'Midnight Rider' Filmmakers Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter In Sarah Jones' Death
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
