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Director Randall Miller and his wife, producer Jody Savin,
were indicted, along with executive producer Jay Sedrish, two
weeks ago on involuntary manslaughter charges after a camera
operator was killed in February when she was struck by a train
during production.
Miller and Savin said in a statement released by their attorney
that in their more than two decades in the film and television
industry, they have always emphasized safety on set.
"In the weeks and months that follow when the true facts of the
events are revealed, people will know that this was not a crime:
We never had criminal intent; we would never knowingly or
intentionally put anybody's safety at risk," the couple said in
a statement. "This was a horrible tragedy and a horrific
accident."
Atlanta resident Sarah Elizabeth Jones, 27, died on Feb. 20
after an oncoming train tore through the set while the movie
crew installed equipment to film on some train tracks and a
trestle bridge in rural Wayne County near Savannah.
Her death sparked an awareness campaign in Hollywood about
safety for crew on film sets, and at the Oscars ceremony earlier
this year, Jones' name was included in the "in memoriam" tribute
segment.
Six other crew members were injured during the accident.
An attorney for Sedrish did not immediately return a call
seeking information on when the producer would enter a plea.
Authorities have said the film company, Unclaimed Freight
Productions Inc, did not have permission to film on an active
train track. It did have permission to be on property nearby.
The manslaughter charges against Miller, Savin and Sedrish could
bring a possible sentence of 10 years in prison.
Jones' parents have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against
Miller, Allman, production companies involved with the film and
the operators of the trains and owners of the land that the
incident occurred on.
(Reporting by Eric Kelsey; Editing by Mary Milliken and Cynthia
Osterman)
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