Alabama freshman basketball standout Brandon Miller introduced a teammate the handgun that was used to kill a lady final month, in keeping with police in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Tuscaloosa detective Branden Culpepper testified Tuesday that Miller introduced Darius Miles’ gun to him on the night time of the deadly capturing of 23-year-old Jamea Jonae Harris, after Miles texted him and requested him to take action.
Culpepper’s testimony got here throughout a preliminary listening to for Miles and Michael Lynn Davis, who face capital murder charges for the death of Harriswho was shot and killed close to the College of Alabama’s campus on Jan. 15.
Investigators wrote in a courtroom doc that Miles, who has since been faraway from the Crimson Tide program, admitted to offering the gun used within the deadly capturing, however Davis fired the weapon.
Culpepper mentioned Tuesday that Miles advised Davis the place his gun was in Miller’s automotive.
Miller has not been charged with against the law, and Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats mentioned in a information convention later Tuesday that this system had been conscious of Miller’s alleged hyperlink to the case. Paula Whitley, Tuscaloosa chief deputy district lawyer, advised AL.com on Tuesday that “there’s nothing we might cost [Miller] with.”
Each Davis and Miles wiped away tears as their moms’ took to the stand to testify that they might make sure that their sons would observe guidelines if granted bond, however that request was later denied by Tuscaloosa County District Choose Joanne E. Jannik.
The case will probably be despatched to a grand jury.
The capturing occurred on the Strip, a enterprise district of bars and eating places that cater to college students close to the Tuscaloosa campus. Harris was sitting within the passenger seat of a automotive when she was struck by a bullet, police mentioned.
Oats mentioned Tuesday that this system has been “absolutely cooperating with regulation enforcement your complete time” and that the “entire state of affairs is unhappy.”
“We knew about that,” Oats mentioned when requested about Miller allegedly bringing the gun to Miles. “Cannot management all the pieces anyone does outdoors of follow. No one knew that was going to occur. … Brandon hasn’t been in any sort of bother, neither is he in any sort of bother on this case. Fallacious spot on the unsuitable time.”
Oats later sought to make clear what he termed his “unlucky remarks” after receiving criticism on social media.
In an announcement launched Tuesday night, Oats acknowledged that his feedback “got here throughout poorly.”
“We had been knowledgeable by regulation enforcement of different student-athletes being within the neighborhood, and regulation enforcement has repeatedly advised us that no different student-athletes had been suspects,” Oats mentioned. “They had been witnesses solely. Our understanding is that they’ve all been absolutely truthful and cooperative.
“On no account did I intend to downplay the seriousness of this example or the tragedy of that night time. My prayers proceed to exit to Jamea Harris’s household.”
Miller is the main scorer for the second-ranked Crimson Tide, averaging 18.7 factors and eight.0 rebounds per recreation. He’s a projected top-five decide on this summer time’s NBA draft.
Prosecutors and protection legal professionals offered diverging accounts of the capturing. Whitley advised the decide that there was ample proof to proceed with the case in opposition to Miles and Davis.
A protection lawyer, in the meantime, prompt throughout Tuesday’s listening to that Miles was reacting defensively when he advised Davis the place the gun was positioned.
“The explanation that the gun was supplied to Michael Davis was for cover,” Mary Turner argued.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
