What do know about the ‘capital murder’ charge facing former Alabama player Darius Miles
Following his role in a tragic crime, the former Alabama player along with his friend, will now face the full weight of the law for their part in the death of Jamea Harris.
From the legal debate to the social one, there are many layers to this tragedy, but the only thing that remains clear is that a young man needlessly lost his life, and an additional two will see their lives changed forever and not for the better.
Darius Miles and Michael Davis set to face murder charges
According to reports, former Alabama basketball player Darius Miles and Michael Davis have been officially indicted on capital murder charges by a Tuscaloosa County grand jury. The news follows the arrest of both young men back on January 15th, in connection with the death of Jamea Harris. Miles was removed from the Alabama basketball team on the same day that he was arrested, while the case itself was sent to a grand jury after preliminary hearing.
With regards to what happened on the night of January 14th - the night of the incident - it’s understood that Miles and Davis as well as several others, were leaving a bar in Tuscaloosa late on Jan. 14, when an altercation broke out between Davis and Harris’ boyfriend, Cedric Johnson, near Harris’ vehicle. Miles claimed that it was at this point that he attempted to retrieve Davis, in order to bring an end to the verbal fight, however, he noticed a gun being passed inside the car as he attempted to do so. Interestingly, Johnson has stated that was not the case and it was in fact food that was being passed around. It is understood that Miles then texted Alabama star Brandon Miller, asking him to bring him his gun. At approximately 1:45 a.m., Miller arrived and according to police it was just minutes later that Davis, upon receiving the firearm from Miles, approached the driver’s side of the car and opened fire. Johnson returned fire, however, Harris was shot and killed.
Brandon Miller stays silent
Though he was present, Miller has not been charged with a crime for his part in the incident. Indeed, the SEC Player of the Year has continued to play for the Crimson Tide since the shooting. Yet, Miller has given no comment on the events of that fateful night and maintained that stance on Friday following the team’s 72-49 win over Mississippi State. To be clear, Miller is cooperating with the investigation, however, his attorney has doubled down on the idea that he is in no way culpable, arguing that he was already en route to collect Miles when he received the text asking him to bring his gun. According to his attorney, the gun was allegedly on the backseat, while Miller himself has claimed that he didn’t know it was there. Albama coach, Nate Oats has stated that Miller was in the “wrong spot at the wrong time.”
What do we know of the case against Darius Miles and Michael Davis?
Since their arrest, both Miles and Davis have been held in Tuscaloosa County Jail and denied bail. They are expected to be tried separately. It’s important to note, that Miles has admitted to providing Davis with the gun used in the fatal shooting, which in turn resulted in a capital murder charge for “aiding and abetting.” Also worth noting, is the fact that the “capital” designation relates to the fact that the victim was killed in a vehicle, which in turn carries the possibility of a death sentence in Alabama.
“While we are not surprised by the indictment based on the reality that a person accused of a crime is not allowed to present any evidence to the grand jury, we are nonetheless disappointed that the Government presented this case to the grand jury as capital murder considering the evidence uncovered during our investigation and the obvious weaknesses in the Government’s case brought to light during the preliminary hearing,” Miles’ lawyer, Mary Turner, said in a statement.