Randall Miller, ‘Midnight Rider’ Director, Completes Probation and Gets Manslaughter Conviction Cleared

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This week, Randall Miller, who directed “Midnight Rider,” successfully fulfilled his probationary period, marking a decade since he admitted guilt for involuntary manslaughter in connection with the passing of one of his crew members, Sarah Jones.

In February 2014, Jones, who worked as a camera assistant, unfortunately collided with a freight train while the team was unauthorizedly preparing a scene on a railroad bridge. Later, it was determined that Miller spent a year behind bars due to this incident.

As a film enthusiast, I can’t contain my excitement as I share the news: this week, Miller successfully erased his criminal record! This was made possible through Georgia’s First Offender Act, which granted him an “exoneration” – a legal term in our state. This process is extended to first-time offenders who complete their probation without any violations, effectively cleaning their slate.

He expressed his gratitude as this long-awaited day arrived. In essence, with this acquittal, my past records have been wiped clean.

While on probation, Miller has been prohibited from directing movies.

In 2020, authorities aimed to rescind his probation due to his involvement in filming a project in Serbia. Miller contended that he thought it was permissible for him to direct, as long as someone else ensured safety. During a prolonged hearing in 2021, the judge sternly reprimanded him but chose not to re-imprison him.

The restrictions have been removed, giving me the freedom to helm “Supercrip,” an autonomous production that tells the compelling story of a quadriplegic Uber driver who encounters a self-absorbed movie star. This film was bestowed with a $1.5 million tax credit by California’s state government last autumn.

The start of production for the project was originally planned for this month, however, there’s been a delay, and we’re currently unsure about when things will kick off. Miller serves as both a writer and producer on this project, but has remained tight-lipped regarding who might direct the film.

Following Sarah Jones’ passing, her father, Richard, established a charitable organization called “Safety for Sarah,” with the purpose of advocating for improved safety standards in movie production settings.

On Friday, I learned that Miller could potentially clear his conviction since he’s eligible. However, I still think he breached his probation terms.

He wondered if others might choose to work for him. On a personal note, I’d advise them to consider their own safety.

Following the tragic on-set shooting of “Rust” in 2021, the California Legislature established a trial safety supervisor program for productions receiving tax benefits. According to Miller, “Supercrip” will be part of this initiative.

Miller said he also wants to “contribute to the larger conversation about safety on film sets.”

“There is much more work to be done,” he said.

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2025-03-15 00:20