Randall Miller, the “Midnight Rider” director serving probation for his role in the 2014 death of camera assistant Sarah Jones, will be summoned to court for allegedly violating his probation by directing a new film last year, Variety reported.
As part of a 2015 plea deal in Georgia, Miller pleaded guilty to criminal trespassing and involuntary manslaughter in connection to Jones’ death. She was killed and several others injured when a train plowed through a “Midnight Rider” set that was set up on a Georgia train trestle.
He was released after serving a year in prison and is now subject to a 10-year probation in which he is “prohibited from serving as director, first assistant director or supervisor with responsibility for safety in any film production.”
Miller’s lawyers understood that to mean that Miller was allowed to shoot his latest film, “Higher Grounds,” in Serbia, Colombia, and the UK last year,...
As part of a 2015 plea deal in Georgia, Miller pleaded guilty to criminal trespassing and involuntary manslaughter in connection to Jones’ death. She was killed and several others injured when a train plowed through a “Midnight Rider” set that was set up on a Georgia train trestle.
He was released after serving a year in prison and is now subject to a 10-year probation in which he is “prohibited from serving as director, first assistant director or supervisor with responsibility for safety in any film production.”
Miller’s lawyers understood that to mean that Miller was allowed to shoot his latest film, “Higher Grounds,” in Serbia, Colombia, and the UK last year,...
- 6/4/2020
- by Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
'Midnight Rider' Director's New Film Is Targeted as the Work of a "Murderer," Spurring Libel Threats
Midnight Rider will forever be a cautionary tale for moviemakers, but after the death of camera assistant Sarah Jones during the infamous production, can the film's director, Randall Miller, ever be absolved of ultimate responsibility? That question is now surfacing as Miller pursues new projects.
Jones died on a railway trestle bridge in Georgia on Feb. 20, 2014. The following year, Miller pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter as part of a deal with prosecutors for charges against his wife, producer Jody Savin, to be dismissed. Now out of jail, Miller has pursued vindication in various forms. He also found time ...
Jones died on a railway trestle bridge in Georgia on Feb. 20, 2014. The following year, Miller pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter as part of a deal with prosecutors for charges against his wife, producer Jody Savin, to be dismissed. Now out of jail, Miller has pursued vindication in various forms. He also found time ...
'Midnight Rider' Director's New Film Is Targeted as the Work of a "Murderer," Spurring Libel Threats
Midnight Rider will forever be a cautionary tale for moviemakers, but after the death of camera assistant Sarah Jones during the infamous production, can the film's director, Randall Miller, ever be absolved of ultimate responsibility? That question is now surfacing as Miller pursues new projects.
Jones died on a railway trestle bridge in Georgia on Feb. 20, 2014. The following year, Miller pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter as part of a deal with prosecutors for charges against his wife, producer Jody Savin, to be dismissed. Now out of jail, Miller has pursued vindication in various forms. He also found time ...
Jones died on a railway trestle bridge in Georgia on Feb. 20, 2014. The following year, Miller pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter as part of a deal with prosecutors for charges against his wife, producer Jody Savin, to be dismissed. Now out of jail, Miller has pursued vindication in various forms. He also found time ...
Randall Miller, the director who spent a year in prison after pleading to involuntary manslaughter when camera assistant Sarah Jones was killed during production of his film “Midnight Rider,” has directed another movie — despite a clause in his plea agreement that called for a 10-year probation in which he was “prohibited from serving as director, first assistant director or supervisor with responsibility for safety in any film production.”
However, Miller is now in post production on “Higher Grounds,” a comedy centered around a barista championship, that he shot in Serbia, Colombia, and the U.K. Miller’s attorney, Richard Thompson of Brecheen Feldman Breimer Silver & Thompson, said he believed the production did not violate the terms of the plea agreement.
“Our understanding of the terms of his probation is that he’s allowed to direct as long as he’s not in charge of safety,” Thompson told IndieWire. “We were...
However, Miller is now in post production on “Higher Grounds,” a comedy centered around a barista championship, that he shot in Serbia, Colombia, and the U.K. Miller’s attorney, Richard Thompson of Brecheen Feldman Breimer Silver & Thompson, said he believed the production did not violate the terms of the plea agreement.
“Our understanding of the terms of his probation is that he’s allowed to direct as long as he’s not in charge of safety,” Thompson told IndieWire. “We were...
- 5/27/2020
- by Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Due to ambiguity in probation documents, disgraced Midnight Rider director Randall Miller is back behind the camera and making movies – despite an involuntarily manslaughter guilty plea that many believed forbid such work for up to decade.
Deadline has learned that Miller directed the comedy Higher Grounds in Serbia and Colombia last year. The completed feature follows a vegan barista, played by Glow‘s Kate Nash, whose coffee shop is sinking, and gears up as the underdogs in the World Barista Championships. Higher Grounds was produced by Miller and his wife Jody Savin, who was also an initial defendant in the Sarah Jones death case, with charges eventually dismissed.
Jay Karandikar, Satish Karandikar, Zak Kristofek and Michael Melroy Smith are also executive producers on Higher Grounds.
Some talent reps who had their clients involved in the new movie wanted to vet Miller’s current situation to direct, we’ve learned.
Deadline has learned that Miller directed the comedy Higher Grounds in Serbia and Colombia last year. The completed feature follows a vegan barista, played by Glow‘s Kate Nash, whose coffee shop is sinking, and gears up as the underdogs in the World Barista Championships. Higher Grounds was produced by Miller and his wife Jody Savin, who was also an initial defendant in the Sarah Jones death case, with charges eventually dismissed.
Jay Karandikar, Satish Karandikar, Zak Kristofek and Michael Melroy Smith are also executive producers on Higher Grounds.
Some talent reps who had their clients involved in the new movie wanted to vet Miller’s current situation to direct, we’ve learned.
- 5/27/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro, Dominic Patten and David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Csx’s petition for a new trial in the case of Midnight Rider and the death of Sarah Jones has been denied by Chatham County State Court Judge Gregory V. Sapp. Csx had filed a motion for a new trial after losing a civil case this past summer to the parents of 27-year-old crew member Sarah Jones, killed on a Ga train trestle in 2014 while filming the Greg Allman biopic Midnight Rider.
“The Court disagrees with Csx’s argument that there was no evidence Csx violated the applicable standard of care,” Judge Sapp wrote in his order. “To the extent the jury found that Csx engaged in willful or wanton conduct, there is some evidence to support this finding … and there was some evidence for the jury to find that Csx employees were negligent in failing to report the trespassers or take additional precautions to avoid injuring them.”
Evidence presented...
“The Court disagrees with Csx’s argument that there was no evidence Csx violated the applicable standard of care,” Judge Sapp wrote in his order. “To the extent the jury found that Csx engaged in willful or wanton conduct, there is some evidence to support this finding … and there was some evidence for the jury to find that Csx employees were negligent in failing to report the trespassers or take additional precautions to avoid injuring them.”
Evidence presented...
- 4/27/2018
- by Anita Busch
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive Video: Midnight Rider director Randall Miller walked into court this morning shackled but left a free man after spending a year in the Wayne County Detention Center in Georgia. The helmer, who made a plea deal to go to jail a year ago to save his wife Jody Savin from criminal prosecution (as she was also charged), was incarcerated for criminal trespassing and felony involuntary manslaughter in the on-set death of crew member Sarah Jones. Jones, who was 27 at the…...
- 3/23/2016
- Deadline
Exclusive: Lawyers for Film Allman, LLC, the production company that was set up by now-jailed filmmaker Randall Miller and his wife Jody Savin for the Gregg Allman biopic Midnight Rider, are fighting the Occupational Safety and Health Administration review judge’s second ruling that stated the company’s supervising crew “misrepresented” the facts repeatedly. The judge, Sharon D. Calhoun in Georgia, upheld the safety violations against the company as well as a $74,900 fine…...
- 10/21/2015
- Deadline
Midnight Rider production company Film Allman will pay $74,900 in fines over the death of camera assistant Sarah Jones on the set, per an administrative judge's ruling on the citation from the Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The Department of Labor organization cited Film Allman, the production entity of Midnight Rider director Randall Miller and his producer wife Jody Savin for the Gregg Allman biopic, in August 2014 for "one willful and one serious safety violation" in Jones' death. Judge Sharon D. Calhoun of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission upheld the citations Tuesday. "Bad
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- 9/16/2015
- by Austin Siegemund-Broka
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lawyers for Film Allman LLC arrived in federal court today in Savannah, Ga to contest a safety violation and fine imposed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regarding the Midnight Rider set accident which resulted in the death of 27 year-old camera assistant Sarah Jones. The production company Film Allman, LLC was set up by director/producer/co-writer Randall Miller and producer/co-writer Jody Savin to film the biopic based on rocker Gregg Allman…...
- 3/31/2015
- Deadline TV
Midnight Rider director Randall Miller, who was sentenced to prison for the tragic on-set death of camera assistant Sarah Jones, has penned a statement taking responsibility for the train accident and revealing the circumstances that led him to plead guilty. The filmmaker behind the Gregg Allman biopic said the incident atop a railway trestle in rural Georgia "was a horrible tragedy that will haunt me forever" and that "my decision to shoot the scripted scene that caused this tragedy."
After pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespassing stemming from the February 2014 incident,...
After pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespassing stemming from the February 2014 incident,...
- 3/21/2015
- Rollingstone.com
Midnight Rider director Randall Miller, who two weeks ago pleaded guilty to criminal trespass and involuntary manslaughter in the on-set death of 27-year-old camera assistant Sarah Jones, issued a statement tonight to the Associated Press — and subsequently obtained by Deadline — from his jail cell saying that he accepted responsibility for the accident that killed her and injured six others. His wife, Jody Savin, producer of Midnight Rider also issued a statement (see…...
- 3/21/2015
- Deadline
Midnight Rider director Randall Miller has released a statement following his guilty plea earlier this month to charges related to the death of camera assistant Sarah Jones. Read More 'Midnight Rider' Trial: Sarah Jones Remembered in Family Statements On Mar. 9, Miller took a guilty plea from prosecutors, which included dismissing wife and Midnight Rider producer Jody Savin's charges in the deal. Miller received 10 years of jail time, and his guilty plea bars him from directing a film, taking on a first A.D. role or supervising a film crew for the duration of his probation. The director will
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- 3/21/2015
- by THR Staff
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A version of this story first appeared in the March 20 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. It was expected to take a week to try director Randall Miller, his producer (and Miller's wife) Jody Savin and producer Jay Sedrish for involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespass connected with the death of camera assistant Sarah Jones, who was hit by a train a year ago on the set of their Gregg Allman biopic Midnight Rider. But the trial in rural Wayne County, Ga., never happened. On Monday morning Miller switched his plea to guilty in a deal with prosecutors, which included
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- 3/11/2015
- by Austin Siegemund-Broka
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Update: A judge has found Midnight Rider's first assistant director, Hillary Schwartz, guilty of criminal trespass and involuntary manslaughter after a brief hearing, according to Variety. He sentenced her to 10 years probation. She must also pay a $5,000 fine and is prohibited from working as producer, director, first assistant director or any other job overseeing safety.
Following the death of camera assistant Sarah Jones on the Georgia set of the Gregg Allman biopic Midnight Rider, director Randall Miller and the film's primary producers were charged with involuntary manslaughter and criminal...
Following the death of camera assistant Sarah Jones on the Georgia set of the Gregg Allman biopic Midnight Rider, director Randall Miller and the film's primary producers were charged with involuntary manslaughter and criminal...
- 3/9/2015
- Rollingstone.com
The late Sarah Jones’ parents Richard and Elizabeth Jones emerged from court today saying that they were content with Midnight Rider director Randall Miller guilty plea. This morning they sat and watched Miller plead out as he sat sullenly next to his wife Jody Savin (the film’s producer) before being led out of court without handcuffs and immediately taken to the jail to be booked. Afterwards, Sarah’s father, Richard Jones, told reporters that he and his wife Elizabeth…...
- 3/9/2015
- Deadline
Director Randall Miller has changed his plea from not guilty to guilty in the ”Midnight Rider” trial Monday, according to media reports. Miller, producer Jody Savin, and executive producer Jay Sedrish are being charged with criminal trespass and involuntary manslaughter following the death of camera assistant Sarah Jones on the set a year ago. Jones, 27, was killed when a train hit her during a dream sequence scene on a bridge lying above the Altamaha River. More To Come…...
- 3/9/2015
- by Jordan Chariton
- The Wrap
Midnight Rider director Randall Miller will stand trial for the death of a young camera assistant on set.
Shooting had only just started when a freight train travelling at 55mph hit crew on a Georgia railroad bridge, injuring six and killing 27 year old Sarah Jones on February 20 2014.
According to Billboard, Miller will face a trial along with his business partner wife Jody Savin and the movie's executive producer Jay Sedrish and could be facing up to 11 years in a Georgia prison if a jury decides Jones' death was the result of a criminal act.
All three have pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespassing.
Railroad company Csx Transportation which owns the bridge where the crash occurred, has said it twice denied the filmmakers permission to shoot on its tracks in rural southeast Georgia.
Under state law, a person can be convicted of involuntary manslaughter for committing a misdemeanor i.
Shooting had only just started when a freight train travelling at 55mph hit crew on a Georgia railroad bridge, injuring six and killing 27 year old Sarah Jones on February 20 2014.
According to Billboard, Miller will face a trial along with his business partner wife Jody Savin and the movie's executive producer Jay Sedrish and could be facing up to 11 years in a Georgia prison if a jury decides Jones' death was the result of a criminal act.
All three have pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespassing.
Railroad company Csx Transportation which owns the bridge where the crash occurred, has said it twice denied the filmmakers permission to shoot on its tracks in rural southeast Georgia.
Under state law, a person can be convicted of involuntary manslaughter for committing a misdemeanor i.
- 3/7/2015
- Digital Spy
The Wi-Fi password in the Georgia courthouse where the Midnight Rider defendants will be standing trial beginning March 9 appears to show a distinct bias against criminal defendants. The court's password is Lockumallup** (Lock ‘Em All Up — password partially redacted). "That seems highly inappropriate to me," Don Samuel, the attorney representing Midnight Rider director Randall Miller and producer Jody Savin, told Deadline. Reporters covering the criminal trespassing and…...
- 2/27/2015
- Deadline
A judge in Chatham County, Georgia today denied rail company Csx’s request to prohibit photographs and video evidence from further public dissemination in the wrongful death case of Midnight Rider crew member Sarah Jones. The November 12 motion was filed after an October 31 episode of ABC News’ 20/20 aired partial train footage filmed the afternoon of February 20, 2014 when Jones was struck and killed by a Csx train on the Doctortown trestle in rural Georgia.
That footage had been submitted to the court as evidence in the ongoing civil case brought by Jones’ parents against a number of defendants including Csx, director Randall Miller, producer Jody Savin, and others, most of whom have since been dismissed after reaching settlements with the Jones family.
Related: ‘Midnight Rider’ Crew Kept In Dark Over Safety, Federal Investigation Reveals
Those settlements left Csx as the biggest remaining defendant in an increasingly contentious legal skirmish with the Jones camp.
That footage had been submitted to the court as evidence in the ongoing civil case brought by Jones’ parents against a number of defendants including Csx, director Randall Miller, producer Jody Savin, and others, most of whom have since been dismissed after reaching settlements with the Jones family.
Related: ‘Midnight Rider’ Crew Kept In Dark Over Safety, Federal Investigation Reveals
Those settlements left Csx as the biggest remaining defendant in an increasingly contentious legal skirmish with the Jones camp.
- 1/6/2015
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
Will evidence in the ongoing Midnight Rider civil case be sealed after next week? An emergency hearing has been set for Friday morning in Georgia’s Chatham County court to address rail company Csx’s recent move to keep further photo and video evidence from going public. That request follows October’s major media reveal of footage from the February 20 train collision that killed 27-year-old camera assistant Sarah Jones and injured several other crew members working on the Gregg Allman biopic.
The motion will be heard by Judge Gregory V. Sapp on Friday, December 12 at 10:00 Am.
A persistent point of contention between the two has involved the action taken by Csx representatives before, during, and after the accident, which occurred when a Csx train hit a hospital bed and equipment the film’s crew had placed across active tracks without permission. Csx provided camera footage from three of four...
The motion will be heard by Judge Gregory V. Sapp on Friday, December 12 at 10:00 Am.
A persistent point of contention between the two has involved the action taken by Csx representatives before, during, and after the accident, which occurred when a Csx train hit a hospital bed and equipment the film’s crew had placed across active tracks without permission. Csx provided camera footage from three of four...
- 12/5/2014
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
Rail company Csx has taken heat for failing to provide footage from a fourth train that traversed the Doctortown trestle the afternoon of the fatal accident that killed Midnight Rider camera assistant Sarah Jones. But in a court filing this week the company explained they aren’t hiding anything – because they don’t even have the so-called “missing tape.”
Deflecting another volley in the ongoing wrongful death civil case brought by Jones’ parents, Csx revealed the timeline of the three Csx trains that passed the site of the collision before a fourth locomotive struck equipment and a hospital bed the crew had set up on the tracks in rural Georgia. (Read the Csx response here.) Jones was killed and several others injured when train Q12519 hit, while others made narrow escapes off the train bridge with only seconds to spare.
According to Csx, a total of three trains – and not two,...
Deflecting another volley in the ongoing wrongful death civil case brought by Jones’ parents, Csx revealed the timeline of the three Csx trains that passed the site of the collision before a fourth locomotive struck equipment and a hospital bed the crew had set up on the tracks in rural Georgia. (Read the Csx response here.) Jones was killed and several others injured when train Q12519 hit, while others made narrow escapes off the train bridge with only seconds to spare.
According to Csx, a total of three trains – and not two,...
- 12/3/2014
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
Court records in the ongoing wrongful death case of Sarah Jones should remain unsealed, the family of the Midnight Rider camera assistant argued today, calling rail company Csx’s attempt to stop further details from escaping into the media “groundless,” “frivolous,” “desperate” and “malicious.”
The back-and-forth between lawyers for the railroad company and the grieving Joneses has become increasingly accusatory in recent months. After Midnight Rider‘s director, producers and several other co-defendants reached a settlement with the family last month, Csx has remained the biggest — and most contentious — party still in the hot seat over Jones’ February 20 death during filming on a train trestle in rural Georgia.
In a strongly worded November 12 motion, defendant Csx asked a Chatham County judge to seal case findings and silence the Joneses’ lawyers from talking to the press about the civil case. Csx also accused the Jones legal team of leaking train-camera footage...
The back-and-forth between lawyers for the railroad company and the grieving Joneses has become increasingly accusatory in recent months. After Midnight Rider‘s director, producers and several other co-defendants reached a settlement with the family last month, Csx has remained the biggest — and most contentious — party still in the hot seat over Jones’ February 20 death during filming on a train trestle in rural Georgia.
In a strongly worded November 12 motion, defendant Csx asked a Chatham County judge to seal case findings and silence the Joneses’ lawyers from talking to the press about the civil case. Csx also accused the Jones legal team of leaking train-camera footage...
- 12/1/2014
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
Despite settling with the family of camera assistant Sarah Jones last week, Midnight Rider’s director and producer are still trying to escape the sights of rail company Csx. Randall Miller and Jody Savin today asked a Georgia court to dismiss them and their business entities from a cross-claim by Csx, whose remaining involvement in the ongoing civil suit filed by Jones’ family has kept the filmmakers tethered to the wrongful death case.
Csx accused Miller, Savin, Unclaimed Freight Productions, and Film Allman, LLC in September of intentional trespassing leading up to the February 20 death of 27-year-old camera assistant Jones. Jones died and several others were injured when a freight train collided into a hospital bed and equipment that the Midnight Rider crew had placed on Csx-owned tracks.
Now that Miller and Savin have settled with Jones’ parents, they’re arguing that their lingering battle with Csx is “essentially a...
Csx accused Miller, Savin, Unclaimed Freight Productions, and Film Allman, LLC in September of intentional trespassing leading up to the February 20 death of 27-year-old camera assistant Jones. Jones died and several others were injured when a freight train collided into a hospital bed and equipment that the Midnight Rider crew had placed on Csx-owned tracks.
Now that Miller and Savin have settled with Jones’ parents, they’re arguing that their lingering battle with Csx is “essentially a...
- 11/26/2014
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
The lawyer for the family of Sarah Jones said today that it has reached an agreement with Midnight Rider director Randall Miller, his wife and producer Jody Savin, and several crewmembers in the wrongful death civil lawsuit filed after their daughter was killed during production in February on a train trestle in rural Georgia.
Attorney Jeff Harris said the confidential agreement had been reached with Miller, Savin, their Unclaimed Freight production company, location manager Charles Baxter, unit production manager/executive producer Jay Sedrish and Jay Sedrish Inc, executive producer and financier Don Mandrick, first assistant director Hillary Schwartz, director of photography Mike Ozier, Epozier Films Inc and landowner Rayonier Performance Fibers Llc.
“Richard and Elizabeth Jones’ objectives in filing this lawsuit, after the death of their 27-year-old daughter, Sarah, have been clear and unwavering,” said Harris. “To find out what happened on the day of their daughter’s death, determine who was responsible,...
Attorney Jeff Harris said the confidential agreement had been reached with Miller, Savin, their Unclaimed Freight production company, location manager Charles Baxter, unit production manager/executive producer Jay Sedrish and Jay Sedrish Inc, executive producer and financier Don Mandrick, first assistant director Hillary Schwartz, director of photography Mike Ozier, Epozier Films Inc and landowner Rayonier Performance Fibers Llc.
“Richard and Elizabeth Jones’ objectives in filing this lawsuit, after the death of their 27-year-old daughter, Sarah, have been clear and unwavering,” said Harris. “To find out what happened on the day of their daughter’s death, determine who was responsible,...
- 11/19/2014
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline
Updated With ABC News Statement: Two weeks after shocking footage from the train that killed Midnight Rider camera assistant Sarah Jones was revealed on the Oct. 31 episode of ABC’s 20/20, railroad company Csx is hitting back against the Jones family lawyers. In a motion filed this week in the ongoing wrongful death case against Csx and over a dozen other defendants (read it here), Csx accused Jones’ lawyers of slipping the train footage to ABC News and asked a Georgia court to block any further evidence from going public pre-trial.
The 20/20 episode aired footage from a camera on the train that was heading from Savannah to Manchester, Georgia on the afternoon of February 20. The segment revealed that the locomotive needed a mile to stop, and began sounding its whistle 26 seconds before impact. Stars William Hurt and Wyatt Russell can be seen attempting to get to safety along with other crew...
The 20/20 episode aired footage from a camera on the train that was heading from Savannah to Manchester, Georgia on the afternoon of February 20. The segment revealed that the locomotive needed a mile to stop, and began sounding its whistle 26 seconds before impact. Stars William Hurt and Wyatt Russell can be seen attempting to get to safety along with other crew...
- 11/13/2014
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
The family of Sarah Jones said today that it has reached an agreement with Midnight Rider distributor Open Road Films and producers Gregg Allman and Michael Lehman to be dropped from their civil lawsuit over the death of the camera assistant on the set of the Allman biopic.
The news comes after lawyers for Open Road told a Georgia judge on Tuesday during a motions hearing that it was close to an agreement with Jones’ family. The hearing was continued to November 13.
“This [suit] is about the production and Open Road is a distributor — we only deal with things once the film is made, there is no reason for us to be here,” Open Road lawyer Marvin Putnam said following Tuesday’s hearing in Savannah. “And I think that is what the recordings and the papers will reflect.”
Said Jones family attorney Jeff Harris today in a release: “This firm was...
The news comes after lawyers for Open Road told a Georgia judge on Tuesday during a motions hearing that it was close to an agreement with Jones’ family. The hearing was continued to November 13.
“This [suit] is about the production and Open Road is a distributor — we only deal with things once the film is made, there is no reason for us to be here,” Open Road lawyer Marvin Putnam said following Tuesday’s hearing in Savannah. “And I think that is what the recordings and the papers will reflect.”
Said Jones family attorney Jeff Harris today in a release: “This firm was...
- 10/30/2014
- by The Deadline Team
- Deadline
Exclusive: New, surprising details have emerged about the on-set death of 27-year-old camerawoman Sarah Jones during the first day of filming on Midnight Rider. Crew members were not told about an email from railroad owner Csx denying them permission to shoot on the Doctortown train trestle in rural Georgia, as at least 20 members piled onto the tracks 25 to 30 feet above the water under dangerous conditions led by director Randall Miller. See newly released pictures below to see (up close) the train tracks they shot on and the small walkway. The train accident left Jones dead and eight others injured, three of them hospitalized. Specific details of what happened on the tracks on the afternoon of February 20 were revealed in a play-by-play report by the Department of Labor’s Occupational Health and Safety Administration, which was considered the lead investigating body on the case.
The 182-page investigative report (read it here...
The 182-page investigative report (read it here...
- 10/30/2014
- by Anita Busch and Jen Yamato
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: New, surprising details have emerged about the on-set death of 27-year-old camerawoman Sarah Jones during the first day of filming on Midnight Rider. Crew members were not told about an email from railroad owner Csx denying them permission to shoot on the Doctortown train trestle in rural Georgia, as at least 20 members piled onto the tracks 25 to 30 feet above the water under dangerous conditions led by director Randall Miller. See newly released pictures below to see (up close) the train tracks they shot on and the small walkway. The train accident left Jones dead and eight others injured, three of them hospitalized. Specific details of what happened on the tracks on the afternoon of February 20 were revealed in a play-by-play report by the Department of Labor’s Occupational Health and Safety Administration, which was considered the lead investigating body on the case.
The 182-page investigative report (read it here...
The 182-page investigative report (read it here...
- 10/30/2014
- by Anita Busch and Jen Yamato
- Deadline
A motions hearing as part of the civil suit filed on behalf of Midnight Rider camera assistant Sarah Jones was pushed back this morning in Savannah, Ga, after lawyers for the film’s distributor Open Road Films revealed they were in talks with Jones’ family for a resolution that could come as soon as Tuesday.
Chatham County Judge Gregory Sapp continued the motions hearing to November 13 to wrap a hearing that lasted less than 10 minutes.
Among the key motions to be decided in the civil suit filed by Jones’ family against Open Road, landowner Rayonier Performance Fibers and a dozen others is whether Open Road and production entity Film Allman should be dismissed from the action. Open Road attorneys told Sapp this morning that the distributor and the family were in talks for a resolution, after which Sapp issued the continuance. No other motions were addressed.
Jones’ parents’ suit claims...
Chatham County Judge Gregory Sapp continued the motions hearing to November 13 to wrap a hearing that lasted less than 10 minutes.
Among the key motions to be decided in the civil suit filed by Jones’ family against Open Road, landowner Rayonier Performance Fibers and a dozen others is whether Open Road and production entity Film Allman should be dismissed from the action. Open Road attorneys told Sapp this morning that the distributor and the family were in talks for a resolution, after which Sapp issued the continuance. No other motions were addressed.
Jones’ parents’ suit claims...
- 10/28/2014
- by Patty Leon, Special To Deadline
- Deadline
Update: The Pledge to Sarah app, designed to boost safety on film and TV sets in memory of Midnight Rider camera assistant Sarah Jones, is now available in the Mac and Android app stores as well as on the Pledge to Sarah website. It was created and crowdfunded by a group of anonymous production crew following the February 20 train tragedy that killed Jones and injured several other crew members.
“The site Pledge to Sarah and the Set Safety App were created because we believe that no one should ever lose their life due to an incident on a film production,” organizers said. “Whether it is an on-set safety issue or an exhausted drive home at the end of a long day, we all need to speak up and be heard.”
Previous Exclusive, Oct. 3: The free app created in honor of fallen Midnight Rider camera assistant Sarah Jones has debuted...
“The site Pledge to Sarah and the Set Safety App were created because we believe that no one should ever lose their life due to an incident on a film production,” organizers said. “Whether it is an on-set safety issue or an exhausted drive home at the end of a long day, we all need to speak up and be heard.”
Previous Exclusive, Oct. 3: The free app created in honor of fallen Midnight Rider camera assistant Sarah Jones has debuted...
- 10/15/2014
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
Hillary Schwartz, an assistant director on the film “Midnight Rider,” became the fourth filmmaker charged with crimes stemming from the on-set train accident that killed crew member Sarah Jones. Schwartz pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to charges of involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespassing in Georgia's Wayne County Superior Court. She was indicted earlier in September on the same charges brought in July against director Randall Miller; his wife and business partner, Jody Savin; and the movie's executive producer, Jay Sedrish. Also read: ‘Midnight Rider’ Producers Cited for Willful and Serious Safety Violations by Osha A tentative trial date of was set for March 9 for.
- 9/30/2014
- by Gina Hall
- The Wrap
Updated With New Info: A trial date of March 9, 2015 has been set in the manslaughter and criminal trespass case of the four filmmakers indicted in the on-set death of 27-year-old Midnight Rider camera assistant Sarah Jones. Pre-trial motions will be heard for two days prior, on February 12-13, and jury selection will start a month later on March 9. The order was issued early this morning by Judge Anthony Harrison in the Wayne County (Ga) Superior Court during a special status conference hearing. All discovery must be entered into the court by December 10, 2014.
Meanwhile, newly indicted first assistant director Hillary Schwartz appeared in the Wayne County Superior Court Tuesday during the status conference attended by all lawyers from those indicted in this case. The court issued orders about further discovery, motions, whether cameras would be allowed in the courtroom (they will be via Rule 22 with five days notice), and other procedural issues.
Meanwhile, newly indicted first assistant director Hillary Schwartz appeared in the Wayne County Superior Court Tuesday during the status conference attended by all lawyers from those indicted in this case. The court issued orders about further discovery, motions, whether cameras would be allowed in the courtroom (they will be via Rule 22 with five days notice), and other procedural issues.
- 9/30/2014
- by Anita Busch and Jen Yamato
- Deadline
The criminal case involving the death of Midnight Rider camera assistant Sarah Jones has been expanded to include first assistant director Hillary Schwartz. Schwartz has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespass, the same charges as those filed against director Randall Miller and producers Jody Savin and Jay Sedrish, Miller and Savin's attorney Don Samuel confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter. Schwartz was charged on Sept. 10 and is set to be arraigned on Tuesday morning at the Wayne County courthouse, Samuel added. Read more 'Midnight Rider': Sarah Jones Family Says Film's Distributor Can't Be Dismissed From Lawsuit Jones was
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- 9/29/2014
- by Hilary Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Criminal charges have been filed against Midnight Rider first assistant director Hillary Schwartz in the February 20 death of camera assistant Sarah Jones. Schwartz was charged September 10 with involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespass, the same two counts filed against director Randall Miller and producers Jody Savin and Jay Sedrish. Under Georgia law, a manslaughter conviction would carry a sentence of 10 years in prison. Criminal trespass is a misdemeanor and carries a potential sentence of one year.
This will come as no surprise to Hollywood’s production community, who understand that one responsibility of the 1st Ad is to help keep the crew safe on set. Schwartz was on set the day of the accident, though location manager Charley Baxter refused to show up because the production had not obtained permission to access the train tracks and made his opposition known to several crew members before the shoot.
In addition to Jones,...
This will come as no surprise to Hollywood’s production community, who understand that one responsibility of the 1st Ad is to help keep the crew safe on set. Schwartz was on set the day of the accident, though location manager Charley Baxter refused to show up because the production had not obtained permission to access the train tracks and made his opposition known to several crew members before the shoot.
In addition to Jones,...
- 9/29/2014
- by Jen Yamato and Anita Busch
- Deadline
Both the distributor of Midnight Rider and the owner of the land where camera assistant Sarah Jones was killed Feb. 20 denied responsibility in court filings this week for her death. The landowner even blames Jones in its filings for not exercising “ordinary care for her own safety.”
Jones’ parents are suing distributor Open Road, landowner Rayonier Performance Fibers and a dozen others for their daughter’s Feb. 20 death when a train blew through a film set on a bridge trestle. The parents’ suit says the distributor was responsible for ensuring a safe and legal shoot, which Open Road answered with an August motion to dismiss. In a new filingthis week in Georgia (read it here), Open Road claims it had no “operational control” over the film shoot.
“None of the rights granted to Open Road under the Distribution Agreement provide Open Road with control over the production. Not one,” reads the filing,...
Jones’ parents are suing distributor Open Road, landowner Rayonier Performance Fibers and a dozen others for their daughter’s Feb. 20 death when a train blew through a film set on a bridge trestle. The parents’ suit says the distributor was responsible for ensuring a safe and legal shoot, which Open Road answered with an August motion to dismiss. In a new filingthis week in Georgia (read it here), Open Road claims it had no “operational control” over the film shoot.
“None of the rights granted to Open Road under the Distribution Agreement provide Open Road with control over the production. Not one,” reads the filing,...
- 9/24/2014
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
The grieving family of Midnight Rider camera assistant Sarah Jones isn’t letting distributor Open Road Films off easy. Lawyers for Jones’ parents, who filed a May 21 wrongful death suit against Open Road along with director Randall Miller, producers Jody Savin and Jay Sedrish, and more than a dozen other defendants for their daughter’s on-set death, responded this week to the company’s claim that it has “no causal connection” to the February 20 train tragedy. “Open Road retained responsibility for ensuring that Midnight Rider was filmed safely and legally, and its failure to live up to this responsibility caused Sarah’s death,” said the September 9 filing in Georgia state court. (Read it here.)
Delaware-based Open Road Films argued in an August motion to dismiss that they don’t fall under the Georgia court’s jurisdiction. The Jones’ response outlines numerous precedents setting up the company’s transactional business dealings in the state,...
Delaware-based Open Road Films argued in an August motion to dismiss that they don’t fall under the Georgia court’s jurisdiction. The Jones’ response outlines numerous precedents setting up the company’s transactional business dealings in the state,...
- 9/10/2014
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
The producers of Midnight Rider will fight federal charges that they committed workplace safety violations in the February 20 accident that killed 27-year-old camera assistant Sarah Jones. Production company Film Allman, set up by director Randall Miller and producer Jody Savin for the Gregg Allman biopic, was slapped with an Osha fine of $74,900 last month for “one willful and one serious safety violation” in the tragedy. They had until today to pay or dispute the charges. Today the filmmakers issued a notice of contest for both violations and the fine, a Department of Labor rep tells Deadline.
This is just the latest legal tangle for Miller and Savin. Along with producer Jay Sedrish, the filmmakers were each charged with involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespassing by prosecutors in Wayne County, Ga. All three pleaded not guilty. They’re also named among a litany of co-defendants in a wrongful death civil suit filed...
This is just the latest legal tangle for Miller and Savin. Along with producer Jay Sedrish, the filmmakers were each charged with involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespassing by prosecutors in Wayne County, Ga. All three pleaded not guilty. They’re also named among a litany of co-defendants in a wrongful death civil suit filed...
- 9/5/2014
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
Update, 4:00Pm: A lawyer for the parents of fallen Midnight Rider crew member Sarah Jones criticized rail company Csx’s attempt to deflect blame onto their daughter, the 27-year-old camera assistant who was killed in a February 20 train collision in rural Georgia. In a cross claim against producers Randall Miller, Jody Savin, and Jay Sedrish filed this week, Csx denied its own negligence in the accident, saying Jones “voluntarily exposed herself to risks” and failed to protect her own safety in the events leading up to the tragedy. She was killed and several other crew members were injured when a freight train barreled into equipment and a hospital bed that had been set up on Csx-owned train tracks on the first day of filming.
“Csx’s attempt to blame Sarah for causing her own death is, unfortunately, not surprising given the Defendants’ behavior to date,” said a statement issued by the Jones family lawyer,...
“Csx’s attempt to blame Sarah for causing her own death is, unfortunately, not surprising given the Defendants’ behavior to date,” said a statement issued by the Jones family lawyer,...
- 9/4/2014
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
Jay Sedrish, the executive producer and unit production manager of the Gregg Allman biopic “Midnight Rider,” entered a not guilty plea on Monday in response to involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespass charges stemming from the death of camera assistant Sarah Jones, a spokesperson for the Wayne County Superior Court Clerks office told TheWrap. “Midnight Rider” director Randall Miller and producer Jody Savin pleaded not guilty to the same charges last month after turning themselves in to the Wayne County Sheriff's Office. Also read: ‘Midnight Rider’ Filmmakers Deny Criminal Wrongdoing: We Emphasize Safety of the Crew Sedrish's lawyer, John Ossick, has...
- 8/18/2014
- by Greg Gilman
- The Wrap
Midnight Rider executive producer and production manager Jay Sedrish has waived his right for an arraignment and asked the court to enter a not guilty plea to criminal charges in the death of camera assistant Sarah Jones. Sedrish, director Randall Miller and producer Jody Savin were charged with involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespass in Jones' death. Jones was struck and killed by a train in February on the Georgia set of the Gregg Allman biopic. Sedrish's lawyer, John Ossick, confirmed that Sedrish waived his right for an arraignment and asked the court to enter a not guilty plea by mail.
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- 8/18/2014
- by Hilary Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
4th Update, August 18, 7:58 Am: Jay Sedrish, the executive producer/unit production manager of the ill-fated Gregg Allman biopic Midnight Rider, waived his right for an arraignment early this morning and has entered a not guilty plea to criminal trespassing and involuntary manslaughter in the on-set death of 27-year-old assistant camera assistant Sarah Jones. She died on the first day of shooting the picture in Georgia, on February 20, after a train hit a metal bed that was placed on the tracks to film a dream sequence. Several others were injured by flying debris. Sedrish, director Randall Miller and Miller’s wife/producer Jody Savin were all criminally charged in the matter. Miller and Savin entered not guilty pleas last month.
Sedrish’s not guilty plea, which was entered early this morning to the Superior Court of Wayne County by his attorney John Ossick, comes only a week after the U.
Sedrish’s not guilty plea, which was entered early this morning to the Superior Court of Wayne County by his attorney John Ossick, comes only a week after the U.
- 8/18/2014
- by Anita Busch and Jen Yamato
- Deadline
Sarah Jones, the 27-year-old camera assistant who died earlier this year when she was struck by a train in Georgia while filming the Gregg Allman biopic Midnight Rider, was remembered during the In Memoriam montage during Saturday's Creative Arts Emmys. The death of Jones has sparked a movement for safer sets and the slogan "Never Forget. Never Again." The film's director, Randall Miller, producer Jody Savin and executive producer Jay Sedrish have been charged with involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespassing. For the full list of tonight's Creative Arts Emmys winners, click here.
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- 8/17/2014
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Producers of Midnight Rider, the Gregg Allman biopic that cost camera assistant Sarah Jones her life, have been cited by the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Osha).
Midnight Rider Production Co. Cited By Osha
Osha announced Thursday that the production company was guilty of “one willful and one serious safety violation” resulting from their decision to film on train tracks, despite not having permission or a proper safety plan in place.
“Employers are responsible for taking the necessary precautions to protect workers’ health and safety, and the entertainment industry is no exception. It is unacceptable that Film Allman LLC knowingly exposed their crew to moving trains while filming on a live track and railroad trestle,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels.
In February, the crew of Midnight Rider was filming on train tracks outside Doctortown, Ga., when a train came,...
Midnight Rider Production Co. Cited By Osha
Osha announced Thursday that the production company was guilty of “one willful and one serious safety violation” resulting from their decision to film on train tracks, despite not having permission or a proper safety plan in place.
“Employers are responsible for taking the necessary precautions to protect workers’ health and safety, and the entertainment industry is no exception. It is unacceptable that Film Allman LLC knowingly exposed their crew to moving trains while filming on a live track and railroad trestle,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels.
In February, the crew of Midnight Rider was filming on train tracks outside Doctortown, Ga., when a train came,...
- 8/15/2014
- Uinterview
The U.S. Department of Labor has cited the production company filming the Greg Allman biopic Midnight Rider, connected to the death of 27-year-old camera assistant Sarah Jones in February. Jones was killed by a moving train during filming in Wayne County, Ga. Today, the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited the producers with one willful and one serious safety violation for exposing employees to hazards and recommended a penalty totaling $74,900. Eight other crew members were injured in the incident.
“Employers are responsible for taking the necessary precautions to protect workers’ health and safety, and the entertainment industry is no exception,...
“Employers are responsible for taking the necessary precautions to protect workers’ health and safety, and the entertainment industry is no exception,...
- 8/14/2014
- by Jeff Labrecque
- EW - Inside Movies
The U.S. Department of Labor has formally cited Midnight Rider production company Film Allman for “one willful and one serious safety violation” in the February 20 tragedy that killed camera assistant Sarah Jones.
“Employers are responsible for taking the necessary precautions to protect workers’ health and safety, and the entertainment industry is no exception,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels.” It is unacceptable that Film Allman LLC knowingly exposed their crew to moving trains while filming on a live track and railroad trestle.”
Related: The Death Of Sarah Jones: Safety Concerns Raised Over ‘Midnight Rider’ Crew’s Previous Film In Georgia
Jones was killed and several other crew members injured on the first day of filming on the Gregg Allman biopic in rural Georgia. The crew had set a hospital bed on the Doctortown trestle train tracks for filming when a train approached and hit the bed,...
“Employers are responsible for taking the necessary precautions to protect workers’ health and safety, and the entertainment industry is no exception,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels.” It is unacceptable that Film Allman LLC knowingly exposed their crew to moving trains while filming on a live track and railroad trestle.”
Related: The Death Of Sarah Jones: Safety Concerns Raised Over ‘Midnight Rider’ Crew’s Previous Film In Georgia
Jones was killed and several other crew members injured on the first day of filming on the Gregg Allman biopic in rural Georgia. The crew had set a hospital bed on the Doctortown trestle train tracks for filming when a train approached and hit the bed,...
- 8/14/2014
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
A fatal accident on the set of Midnight Rider has led to involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespass charges against producers Jody Savin and Jay Sedrish and director Randall Miller, as well as several lawsuits on behalf of the victims, but the production company still wants to be insured for the "restarted" production. On Tuesday, Film Allman filed its own civil complaint in L.A. Superior Court against New York Marine and General Insurance Company. The plaintiff says that the accident on the train tracks in Georgia, which killed camera assistant Sarah Jones, forced the film's shutdown, leading to losses of
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- 8/13/2014
- by Eriq Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The controversial Midnight Rider feature film may yet restart production, despite the death of camera assistant Sarah Jones and involuntary manslaughter charges against director Randall Miller and producers Jody Savin and Jay Sedrish, according to a court complaint filed this week.
Related: Update: ‘Midnight Rider’ Exex Producer Arraignment Set
Through Film Allman, the company they established for the Gregg Allman biopic, Miller and Savin filed suit Tuesday in L.A. County Superior Court against insurance company New York Marine.
“This action arises from New York Marine’s bad faith refusal to honor its obligations to pay for losses incurred by Film Allman, its insured,” says the 12-page breach-of-contract suit. “Following a fatal on-set accident, which also resulted in injuries to several of the film’s crew members and director, Film Allman was forced to shut down and then restart the production, incurring losses in excess of $1.6 million,” the complaint, filed...
Related: Update: ‘Midnight Rider’ Exex Producer Arraignment Set
Through Film Allman, the company they established for the Gregg Allman biopic, Miller and Savin filed suit Tuesday in L.A. County Superior Court against insurance company New York Marine.
“This action arises from New York Marine’s bad faith refusal to honor its obligations to pay for losses incurred by Film Allman, its insured,” says the 12-page breach-of-contract suit. “Following a fatal on-set accident, which also resulted in injuries to several of the film’s crew members and director, Film Allman was forced to shut down and then restart the production, incurring losses in excess of $1.6 million,” the complaint, filed...
- 8/13/2014
- by Dominic Patten and Jen Yamato
- Deadline
In an exclusive interview with Deadline, a crew member who suffered serious injuries on an earlier film by Midnight Rider director-producers Randall Miller and Jody Savin has called their “safety first” claims “a lie.” Katie Dover, a costumer who was hurt on the set of Miller and Savin’s 2013 film Cbgb during pre-production, says Miller and Savin’s recent statements regarding safety on their films don’t jibe with her experience. Days ago, Midnight Rider director Miller and his wife-producer Savin — two of the three filmmakers charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of 27-year-old camera assistant Sarah Jones — went on the record stating that since […]...
- 7/22/2014
- Deadline
When 27-year-old camera assistant Sarah Jones was struck by a train and killed on the set of the Gregg Allman biopic Midnight Rider in February, industry professionals hit social media to share their support for safety during filming. Months later, Midnight Rider filmmakers Randall Miller and Jody Savin were charged with involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespass in the case of Jones’ death, and on Sunday, both Miller and Savin turned themselves in to Georgia’s Wayne County Police Department before posting bond. But now, Miller and Savin’s lawyer, Don Samuel, has confirmed that both Miller and Savin have pleaded...
- 7/17/2014
- by Samantha Highfill
- EW - Inside Movies
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