Alabama freshman basketball standout Brandon Miller brought a teammate the handgun that was used to kill a woman last month, according to police in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Tuscaloosa detective Brenden Culpepper testified Tuesday that Miller brought Darius Miles’ gun to him the night of the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Jamia Joanna Harris after Miles texted him and asked him to do so.
Culpepper’s testimony came during a preliminary hearing for Miles and Michael Lynn Davis, who are facing capital murder charges for the death of Harris, who was shot to death near the University of Alabama campus on January 15.
Investigators wrote in a court document that Miles, who has since been fired from the Crimson Tide program, admitted to providing the gun used in the fatal shooting, but that Davis fired the weapon.
Culpeper said Tuesday that Miles told Davis where his gun was in Miller’s car.
Miller has not been charged with a crime, and Crimson Tide coach Nate Oates said in a news conference later Tuesday that the program was aware of Miller’s alleged connection to the case. Paula Whitley, Tuscaloosa’s chief deputy district attorney, told AL.com on Tuesday that “there is nothing that we can charge [Miller] with.”
Both Davis and Miles wiped away tears as their mothers took the stand to testify that they would make sure their sons followed the rules, but Tuscaloosa County District Judge Joan E. Jannick later denied that request. .
The case will be sent to the Grand Jury.
The shooting took place in the Strip, a business district of bars and restaurants that cater to students near the Tuscaloosa campus. Police said Harris was sitting in the passenger seat of the car when she was shot.
Oates said Tuesday that the program has been “cooperating fully with law enforcement throughout” and “the whole situation is sad.”
“We knew about it,” Oates said when asked about Miller allegedly bringing the gun to Miles. “Nobody can control what he does outside of practice. Nobody knew this was going to happen. … Brandon is not in any trouble, nor is he in any way involved in this.” In trouble. Wrong place at the wrong time.”
Oates later sought to clarify his “unfortunate remarks” after receiving criticism on social media.
In a statement released Tuesday evening, Oates acknowledged that his comments “came out poorly.”
Oates said, “We were informed by law enforcement of other student-athletes being around, and law enforcement has repeatedly told us that no other student-athletes were suspects.” “They were simply witnesses. Our understanding is that they have all been completely truthful and cooperative.
“I in no way intended to diminish the seriousness of this situation or the tragedy of that night. My prayers continue for the family of Jamia Harris.”
Miller is the leading scorer for the second-place Crimson Tide, averaging 18.7 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. He is a projected top-five pick in this summer’s NBA Draft.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys presented differing accounts of the shooting. Whitley tells the judge that there is enough evidence to proceed with the case against Miles and Davis.
Meanwhile, a defense attorney suggested during Tuesday’s hearing that Miles was reacting defensively when he told Davis where the gun was located.
Mary Turner argued, “The reason Michael Davis was provided with a gun was for safety.”