EZRA Miller, the actor best known for his roles in ‘Fantastic Beasts’ and ‘The Flash’, pleaded guilty to unlawful trespassing in a Vermont burglary case on Friday.
Appearing in a courthouse in Bennington, Vermont, Miller accepted a plea deal to avoid jail time. The actor must pay a US$500 (about RM2,167) fine and face one year of probation.
As part of the plea deal, Miller agreed to 41 conditions, which include no drinking, random drug tests, and a commitment to continue seeking mental health treatment.
Miller, 30, was accused of entering a neighbour's house and stealing several bottles of alcohol from their pantry last May. The actor was initially charged with trespassing, burglary, and petit larceny, but the latter two charges were dropped.
Had those charges not been dropped, Miller could have faced a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.
In a statement provided to Variety, Miller's attorney said, “Ezra Miller pled guilty this morning to a misdemeanour unlawful trespass in Vermont Superior Court and accepted the conditions imposed by the court.
"Ezra would like to thank the court and the community for their trust and patience throughout this process 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.”
The Vermont incident is just one of many controversies and legal issues that Miller has faced in the past year. The actor was twice arrested in Hawaii, first for disorderly conduct and harassment and then for second-degree assault.
Miller has also previously been accused of choking a woman in an Icelandic bar.
Last August, Miller apologised for their behaviour and stated that they would be undergoing mental health treatment.
“Having recently gone through a time of intense crisis, I now understand that I am suffering complex mental health issues and have begun ongoing treatment,” the actor said in a statement.
“I want to apologise to everyone that I have alarmed and upset with my past behaviour. I am committed to doing the necessary work to get back to a healthy, safe, and productive stage in my life.”
The actor is still set to star in Warner Bros' ‘The Flash’, the superhero's first solo film, debuting in theatres on June 16. Despite the legal issues and controversies surrounding Miller, the actor's career has not been negatively impacted. – The Vibes, January 14, 2023
