By Russ Bynum
SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) --Gregg Allman has been dropped from a lawsuit by the family of a film worker killed by a train during shooting of a biographical movie about the Allman Brothers Band singer, attorneys said Thursday.
Lawyers for the parents of 27-year-old Sarah Jones said they decided to dismiss all claims against Allman and two other parties after reviewing thousands of documents and other evidence in the case. Jones, a camera assistant, died Feb. 20, during the first day of filming "Midnight Rider" when a freight train slammed into the movie crew on a railroad bridge in southeast Georgia. Six other workers were injured in the crash.
"It is clear that Mr. Allman … had no involvement in any of the decisions that resulted in Sarah's death," Jeff Harris, an Atlanta attorney for Jones' parents, said in a statement Thursday.
Allman, in his capacity as an executive producer of the movie based on his life story, was among 10 individuals and eight corporations named as defendants in May when Richard and Elizabeth Jones of Columbia, South Carolina, filed their lawsuit in Savannah. The couple is still seeking damages from others including director Randall Miller, railroad company CSX Transportation and Rayonier Performance Fibers, which owns the property surrounding the crash site.
Miller and three other filmmakers have also been indicted on criminal charges of involuntary manslaughter, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and trespassing in rural Wayne County where the crash occurred. Sheriff's investigators concluded the filmmakers went onto the railroad bridge spanning the Altamaha River to shoot footage after CSX denied them permission.
Allman's attorney, David Long-Daniels, said the singer had little involvement with the movie other than licensing the rights to his memoir, "My Cross to Bear," to the filmmakers.
"We're delighted the Jones family has dismissed us," Long-Daniels said. "We remain very sorrowful for the tragedy they have endured with the loss of their daughter."
The Jones family's attorneys said they also dropped claims against Michael Lehman, an executive producer on the film, and Open Road Films, a film distribution and marketing company.
“Scandal” cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
The cast of ABC's hit political drama "Scandal" may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as "Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.
Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.
Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the "Scandal"-pace, assured Young over Zoom.
"Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said.
Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on "Scandal," was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow "Scandal" actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.
Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.
Young said it's "been devastating" to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.
To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North... Read More