Both remain held without bond. An argument with Harris turned violent shortly after, and Davis is accused of shooting Harris. ), MORE: Parents of shooting victim rip Alabama and Nate Oats for letting Brandon Miller play. Miller, who has started every game, hasnt been charged and the university said he is a cooperating witness, not a suspect. Just in the wrong spot at the wrong time., OPINION: Alabama coach Nate Oats offers 'tone-deaf' reply to Brandon Miller's alleged role in fatal shooting, Oats tried to backtrack later, releasing a statement that characterized his comments as unfortunate and read, in part, In no way did I intend to downplay the seriousness of the situation of the tragedy that night., Meanwhile, Millers attorney insisted that his client had never touched the gun, was not involved in its exchange and never knew that illegal activity involving the gun would occur.. The analysis was not met with a chorus of approval, with many saying that it wasn't appropriate for Miller to be playing, let alone being praised publicly for his performance. TUSCALOOSA, Ala. Star Alabama basketball player Brandon Miller's attorney claims the teen was not involved in Jamea Harris' shooting death. He worked at Bridgewater Interiors. The best insights from the ultimate insiders, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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NBA analyst Kevin O'Connor is facing backlash on social media after he praised Miller's performance amid his alleged involvement in the death of 23-year-old Jamea Harris. A university spokeswoman said in January that he also "has been suspended and removed from campus pending the outcome of a student conduct case related to this serious matter.". We knew about that, Oats said in reference to Millers involvement. Jaden Bradley, another Alabama player, was at the scene that day. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. The Alabama mens basketball team is or was having a dream season. Miles has since been dismissed from the Alabama team. AL.com reporter Carol Robinson asked Tuscaloosa Chief Assistant District Attorney Paula Whitley why Miller wasn't charged in the shooting death of Harris. College kids are out. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Additionally, Harris' stepfather Delvin Heard slammed Oats' comments about the shooting, calling the coach's approach to the situation "godawful," according to USA Today. Its wise. Miles was later dismissed from the team after being allegedly involved in the shooting. Fox News' Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report. Nate Oats discusses Brandon Miller's connection to Darius Miles' fatal shooting case. Miller was playing in the game hours after the school said he would remain an active member of the team while law enforcement continues to investigate last months campus shooting death of Jamea Jonae Harris. Later that day, the school issued a statement that Miles had been removed from campus and was no longer on the team. Alabamas head coach Nate Oats also mentioned Tuesday that Miller will remain with the team. 2 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. Additionally, he is a contender for national player of the year. Investigators claim Miller's windshield was struck twice in the shooting, and also believe another Alabama basketball player, Jaden Bradley, was present at the shooting. Before Miller arrived, according to the statement, Miles and a companion of Harris had apparently exchanged words, unbeknownst to Miller. ", Cotton pointed out to USA Today that having the gun involved at all led to her daughter's murder. Theres nothing we could charge him with.". Alabama coach Nate Oats said Tuesday that Miller is not in any trouble as a result of his alleged involvement. Legal Statement. in line to earn a No. pic.twitter.com/2SsscHHCB9, Brandon does not own a firearm and has never even handled a firearm, the statement said. He hasn't been charged or suspended. Cant control everything everybody does outside of practice. Former Alabama player Darius Miles and Michael Buzz Davis have been charged in her death. Miller, meanwhile, has not been charged with anything. The release goes onto say Miller was never involved in a verbal altercation, never touched the gun and did not use his vehicle to block Harris' vehicle from escaping. Police did not specify which suspect was injured. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Nobody knew that was going to happen. Then, according to police, after Miller arrived, Miles handed Davis the gun while the two were in the back seat of Millers car. Legal experts told AL.com the decision whether or not to charge Miller comes down to knowledge and intent. Nobody knew that was going to happen. He testified that Miles allegedly gave the gun to Davis, saying, "there's one in the head," meaning a round was loaded in the chamber and it was ready to fire. Miller is not facing any criminal charges at this time. Branden Culpepper said Crimson Tide freshman standout Brandon Miller brought a gun to the Tuscaloosa strip prior to the incident. NBA analyst Kevin O'Connor is facing backlash on social media after he praised the performance of Alabama's Brandon Miller amid his alleged involvement in the death of 23-year-old Jamea Harris. Basketball star Brandon Miller is accused of delivering the gun in the shooting death of Jamea Harris. Culpepper said Miller got to the scene, and Miles told Davis, "The heat is in the hat," referencing the gun, per AL.com. 9:13 AM EST, Thu February 23, 2023. They'rein line to earn a No. It's like, OK, slap on the wrist and go play ball.". Wrong spot at the wrong time." His lawyer and those of Davis are claiming self-defense and are asking for their clients to be released on bond. Heard said that Oats' statements were "not considering the victim in this whole thing, which is Jamea Harris.". He scored 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in Alabamas 78-66 win. Genuinely does not matter how good or bad he performed in a basketball game when he BOUGHT A GUN TO A SCENE where someone was murdered. Tuscaloosa Police Capt. Court records say Davis fired the deadly shots, but Miles "intentionally caused" Harris death by "aiding and abetting by providing a firearm. "But what about this five-year-old boy?" Shortly after being labeled a cooperative witness in a murder case, Alabama freshman forward Brandon Miller scored 41 points, including the games winner, to lead the No. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. He was never involved in a verbal altercation with Cedric Johnson or Mr. Davis.. Nobody knew that was going to happen. He played in the Tides next game, on Jan. 17, at Vanderbilt. The Crimson Tide have been one of the top-ranked teams for weeks, currently sitting at No. '', The coach's statement did little for Harris' family, they said. Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats discussed Brandon Miller's connection to the fatal shooting on the Strip in January. Brandon Miller of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks for a lane during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Coleman Coliseum Jan. 31, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Brandon Miller of the Alabama Crimson Tide drives to the basket against the LSU Tigers during the second period at Coleman Coliseum Jan. 14, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Fox News Flash top sports headlines for February 21. Prosecutors say Miles provided the gun to Davis, 20, who allegedly fired it and killed Harris near the university's Tuscaloosa campus on January 15. The gun was merely in Millers car unbeknownst to Miller his attorneys claim. There are so many nuances to the story involving players on Alabamas mens basketball team, and their alleged roles in a Jan. 15 shooting that took the life of 23-year-old Jamea Harris. Wrong spot at the wrong time., Oats, who did not know of Miles request to Miller at the time, later called his initial remarks unfortunate and said his statements came across poorly.. According to The Tuscaloosa News, detective Branden Culpepper of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit testified that Miller's former basketball teammate, 21-year-old Darius Miles, texted Miller to deliver the gun ultimately used to kill Harris. Thats it, I dropped the ball on it. Market data provided by Factset. Harriss boyfriend told Davis to move on. Wrong spot at the wrong time.". ", Nate Oats has released a statement. Our firms own investigation is ongoing, and no further statement will be made at this time.". Miller played, scoring a career-high 41 points on 14 of 25 shooting as the Tide held off upset-minded South Carolina 78-76 in overtime. It doesnt appear evidence exists that Miller knew that transferring the firearm was for an unlawful purpose, hindsight notwithstanding.. Brandon Miller of the Alabama Crimson Tide during their game against the Auburn Tigers at Neville Arena in Auburn, Alabama, on February 11, 2023. With no witnesses, prosecutors struggle to prove a case beyond a reasonable doubt., Bad judgment and poor choices, Spina said, do not always add up to the commission of a crime., Town said that though he doesnt believe Miller is legally liable, this is a tragic and regrettable reminder that we all have a moral duty to deescalate moments that could lead to violence., Retreat is not weakness, he told AL.com. "In no way did I intend to downplay the seriousness of this situation or the tragedy of that night. "The retraction meant nothing to us," Heard told USA Today. Alabama freshman standout Brandon Miller appeared to have deleted his Twitter account Monday after facing backlash over the weekend for continuing his In criminal cases, decisions on who to prosecute and on what charge are based on probable cause, a legal standard that means a reasonable person would believe a crime had been committed. Harris' mother told reporters that she is "very angry" and wants justice for her daughter. Brandon hasnt been in any type of trouble nor is he in any type of trouble in this case. Miller, the biggest star of the second-ranked Tide team, and who is projected to be a top pick in this year's NBA draft, has not been criminally charged. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. Prosecutorial decisions are discretionary with law enforcement and prosecutors, Spina added. Legal Statement. One of the freshmans attorneys, Jim Standridge, released the statement a day after police testimony alleged Miller was asked to bring a gun to teammate Darius Miles and another man, Michael Lynn Davis, in the early morning hours of Jan. 15. Wrong spot at the wrong time. Culpepper's testimony marked the first time another Alabama player has been officially connected to the fatal shooting. The testimony came during a preliminary hearing for Miles, 21, and 20-year-old Michael Lynn Davis, who face capital murder charges in Harris' death. TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) Alabama coach Nate Oats apologized and took responsibility for allowing freshman forward Brandon Miller to continue going through a Then, police testimony last week accused the second-ranked Crimson Tide's biggest star of delivering Miles' gun, though his attorney said he never handled it and didn't know it was going to be used for a crime. At that time, Millers alleged involvement that night had not been made public. My prayers continue to go out to Jamea Harris's family.". Michael Davis and Darius Miles, a junior on the University of Alabama mens basketball team who was later removed from campus and is no longer on the team, face When former Bama basketballer Darius Miles gave his friend Michael Davis the gun he allegedly used to shoot and kill a 23-year-old mother on the Tuscaloosa Strip last month, it was in the back of superstar Brandon Miller's car, investigators said Tuesday. (Special to AL.com). While Miles went to a nightclub, Miller went to a restaurant, the statement said. But over the last week, as more details have emerged about a fatal shooting that took place on Jan. 15 a murder in which police say Miller was involved, though to what degree is unclear the Tide have become embroiled in an ugly, tragic controversy. WebMr. But the gun belonged to 21-year-old Darius Miles, Millers former teammate, according to the testimony. "Theres nothing we could charge him with" under the law, Tuscaloosa Chief Deputy District Attorney Paula Whitley told AL.com, EX-ALABAMA BASKETBALL PLAYER DARIUS MILES ALLEGEDLY KILLED WOMAN BECAUSE SHE WOULDNT TALK TO HIM,' MOM SAYS. Miles previously admitted that he provided the gun to Davis. Jack Kennedy said the driver of another vehicle, in which Harris was a passenger, approached campus police near Bryant-Denny Stadium around 1:45 a.m., saying someone had shot into the vehicle and that he fired back. Standridge also said Miller never saw or handled the gun, adding that it was concealed under some clothing in the back seat. A chorus of boos and jeers could be heard at the Colonial Life Arena when Miller had the ball against South Carolina. Nobody knew that was going to happen. He also had eight rebounds and three steals. O'Connor followed his first tweet with clarification of the situation that Miller was facing: "Alabama's Darius Miles is facing capital murder charges after a shooting taking the life of 23-year-old Jamea Harris. That situations on me, Oats said on Tuesday of the pregame ritual. Court testimony that Alabamas freshman basketball standout Brandon Miller brought the gun used in the Tuscaloosa strip killing of a woman last month stunned the sports world and beyond, immediately raising the question as to why he, too, wasnt charged in the crime. she said. He scored 41 points and the game-winning shot in a victory against South Carolina. Former This story has been updated from a previous version. Investigators reportedly placed another member of the team, Jaden Bradley, at the scene, according to The Washington Post. Alabama basketball star Brandon Miller never touched the gun that was allegedly used in a murder last month near campus in Tuscaloosa, Ala., according to a Age 35 years. He was later ruled out the remainder of the season with an ankle injury. Weve been fully cooperating with law enforcement the entire time. Tonight on @SportsCenter, ahead of Alabamas game at South Carolina, we walk thru the latest pic.twitter.com/YNo4KmpukL, MORE: Darius Miles murder charges, explained: What to know about Alabama basketball player arrested in shooting. Miller has not been charged in relation to the shooting and remains on second-ranked Alabama's roster. Brandon Miller #24 of the Alabama Crimson Tide jogs off the court during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena on January 11, 2023 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Harris, who has a five-year-old son, was pronounced dead in the vehicle. A GoFundMe page has been launched to support Harris' son, Kaine. ", Another tweeted: "Did the follow up tweet where you added context that 'the controversy' is that he's an accessory to murder make you feel better about leaving this tweet up?". According to the statement, Miller has given several interviews with law enforcement, has volunteered to have his phone contents extracted, as well as the contents of his vehicle. Natasha Dye is a writer-reporter for PEOPLE Digital covering sports. In the SEC, theyve got to make tough decisions every week as to who gets it, he said. pic.twitter.com/yoKMZPdVTG. After Miller arrived, Culpepper said Miles and Davis got into the back seat of his Dodge Charger. My prayers continue to go out to Jamea Harris's family. Cant control everything anybody does outside of practice. WebMr. We addressed it as a team. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. The team closed practice with a prayer for the situation today, knowing that we had this trial today. Det. Its painful to have to watch this every day," Harris' mother said. Millers alleged involvement in the death of the 23-year-old Harris was detailed Tuesday at a preliminary hearing for Miles and Davis, both facing capital murder charges in Harriss death. ", Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. Alabama basketball star Brandon Miller never touched the gun that was allegedly used in a murder last month near campus in Tuscaloosa, Ala., according to a statement released by his attorneys Wednesday. "Can't control everything anybody does outside of practice," he added. Millers attorney said Miles asked Miller for a ride to a nightclub following the Crimson Tides win over LSU on Jan. 14, and that Miles brought his legal handgun and left it in the back seat of Millers vehicle. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. We think of Jamea and her family, Kaine. "While Darius has been accused of being involved with this tragedy, he maintains his innocence and looks forward to his day in court. Standridge added that all of the events described in the statement were captured on video and there is no dispute about Millers activities that night. Culpepper told the court that Miles and Davis had gotten into an argument with Harris' boyfriend while reveling on the Strip, a business district of bars and restaurants that cater to students, on the night of January 14, Tuscaloosa station WTUG reported. Miller, a 6-foot-9 forward out of Antioch, Tennessee, plays a big role on the Crimson Tide team this season, averaging 18.7 points, 8 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game as a starter. "I haven't stopped long enough to grieve because I am so angry. The statement concludes by saying Miller left the area when shots were fired and, learning about a possible injury, was fully cooperative with police. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. She leaves behind a 5-year-old son, Kaine. Brandon subsequently arrived at the scene to pick up Mr. Miles, the statement read. Alabama's Brandon Miller was accused by police of giving now-former teammate Darius Miles the gun that another suspect allegedly used to kill Harris near the "We know about that," he said in response to Millers alleged involvement. Statement that Miles had been removed from campus and was no longer the! 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