Alabama basketball star Brandon Miller brought his former team-mate a gun that was used in a fatal shooting last month, a court hears.
On Tuesday, Tuscaloosa detective Branden Culpepper testified that Alabama freshman Brandon Miller allegedly brought Darius Miles - his former teammate - a gun that was used in the fatal shooting of Jamea Jonae Harris on January 15 - according to local media. Culpepper's testimony came during a two-and-a-half-hour preliminary hearing in front of Tuscaloosa County District Judge Joanne Jannik for Miles and Michael Lynn Davis, who have been charged with capital murder.
Miller has not been charged with any felony. Tuscaloosa chief deputy D.A. Paula Whitley said: "There’s nothing we could charge him with."
The court heard how, Miles texted Miller to bring the gun and it allegedly changed hands in the latter’s car. Alabama freshman Jaden Bradley was also allegedly at the scene, although Davis - a 20-year-old from Maryland - is believed to have pulled the trigger according to court records.
The shooting took place near the off-campus entertainment district known as ‘The Strip’ in Tuscaloosa, local police said. Davis is accused of firing the gun into a car in which the 23-year-old Harris, the mother of a 5-year-old son, was a passenger. Harris’ boyfriend was driving the car and told police he returned fire in an act of self-defence.
After Culpepper's testimony, Alabama coach Nate Oats claimed he had known about Miller’s presence since the incident emerged - and insisted Miller is not in trouble. He told reporters: “We knew about that. Can’t control everything anybody does outside of practice. Nobody knew that was going to happen.
“College kids are out, Brandon hasn’t been in any type of trouble nor is he in any type of trouble in this case. Wrong spot at the wrong time.”
Later on Tuesday night, Oats was forced to clarify his ‘unfortunate remarks’ as more information came to light. He added: “We were informed by law enforcement of other student-athletes being in the vicinity, and law enforcement has repeatedly told us that no other student-athletes were suspects — they were witnesses only. Our understanding is that they have all been fully truthful and cooperative.
“In no way did I intend to downplay the seriousness of this situation or the tragedy of that night. My prayers continue to go out to Jamea Harris’s family.”
According to reports, both Miles and Davis are hoping to be released on bond as they claim to shooting in self-defence. The judge reportedly has not ruled on whether they will be granted bond or whether to send the case to a grand jury.
Miller has led Alabama to be ranked second in the nation this season and he is expected to be a lottery pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
