Ezra Miller, the actor who has played such leading roles as “The Flash” in Justice League movies, formally entered a guilty plea Friday to a reduced charge of unlawful trespass, resolving a break-in case in southern Vermont without doing jail time.
In exchange for Miller’s guilty plea to the misdemeanor charge, prosecutors in Bennington County Superior criminal court agreed to dismiss other charges of felony burglary of an unoccupied dwelling and misdemeanor petty larceny.
As part of the plea deal reached ahead of Friday’s hearing, Miller received a sentence of 89 to 90 days in jail, all suspended, and will be placed on probation for one year. They will also be fined $500.
Miller, 30, of Stamford, was accused of breaking into a nearby home in May and stealing three bottles of alcohol containing gin, vodka and rum. Miller pleaded not guilty in October to the original charges in the case.
During Friday’s 30-minute hearing, Judge Kerry Ann McDonald-Cady outlined the rights Miller was agreeing to give up by entering the plea agreement, including a right to a jury trial.
Miller told the judge they understood those rights and agreed to waive them to enter the plea deal.
Asked how they wanted to plead to the charge of unlawful trespass, Miller replied, “guilty.”
The judge said she would accept the plea deal.
“I do find they strike the balance of both your rehabilitation, and (to) continue to make sure that you’re a healthy citizen, and (there’s) also a punishment factor here,” McDonald-Cady said, adding, “I do find this an appropriate sentence and in the interest of justice.”
Miller said little else during the hearing, sitting and standing at times next to their attorney, Lisa Shelkrot, at the defense table.
Miller declined the opportunity to make a statement addressing the case when asked by the judge.
Shelkrot released a statement on her client’s behalf following the hearing, stating they accepted the conditions imposed by the court as part of the plea deal.
The conditions of probation included Miller agreeing to continue with mental health treatment with their current provider.
“Ezra would like to thank the court and the community for their trust and patience throughout this process,” the statement said, “and would once again like to acknowledge the love and support they have received from their family and friends, who continue to be a vital presence in their ongoing mental health.”
Bennington County Deputy State’s Attorney Alexander Burke told the judge that the homeowner of the residence Miller was accused of breaking into supported the plea deal, particularly because it provides for Miller to continue receiving mental health treatment.
The plea deal, Burke said, also protects the homeowner’s privacy by not having to go to trial.
At the end of the hearing, McDonald-Cady offered parting words to Miller.
“Good luck to you,” the judge told Miller.
According to a police affidavit filed in the case, Miller told police they were in the home to take cooking ingredients to Miller’s mother, who lived nearby as well.
Miller added that the owner was a family friend who they believed should have known what was going on because Miller’s mother asked the homeowner for permission ahead of time, the affidavit stated. The homeowner denied providing for Miller to go into the home, according to the affidavit.
Entertainment Weekly reported in August that Miller issued a statement at that time addressing allegations that had been raised against them in published reports, including Rolling Stone, in the previous weeks, which stated Miller had begun treatment for “complex mental health” issues.
The original charges against Miller in the case of burglary and petty larceny carried a maximum penalty of 26 years in prison.
