Trial date set for capital murder case against former Alabama player Darius Miles

A trial date has been set for the capital murder case against former Alabama men’s basketball player Darius Miles. It is set to begin Dec. 1 in Alabama Circuit Court.

Miles was removed from campus and the Alabama basketball team as a result of an incident which took place in the early morning hours of Jan. 15, 2023. Jamea Jonae Harris was killed in a shooting, and Miles was accused of “aiding and abetting” Michael Davis, who pulled the trigger. Both were charged with capital murder in the case and are being tried separately.

Davis was found guilty of capital murder in May, according to the Tuscaloosa Patch’s Ryan Phillips, and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Judge Daniel F. Pruet issued the sentencing in Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court.

The verdict came after testimony from former Alabama players Brandon Miller and Jaden Bradley this week. Miles allegedly provided the gun used in the shooting.

“We are very happy that the jury listened to the evidence and came to the decision that they did,” said chief assistant district attorney Paula Whitley after the verdict came down. “With the hard work of law enforcement and the ongoing commitment from the family, we are very satisfied with the outcome of this case.”

More on the Darius Miles capital murder case

Police from Tuscaloosa, as well as the University of Alabama, were dispatched around 1:45 a.m. that January 2023 morning. They were sent to the Walk of Champions at Bryant-Denny Stadium. There, they found Harris dead inside a vehicle, per Capt. Jack Kennedy of Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes, as they later deduced that the shooting had taken place off of University Boulevard.

The driver of the vehicle told police their car was hit with gunshots. In turn, the driver returned fire in self-defense and notified authorities that he may have struck one of the shooters.

According to AL.com, former Crimson Tide star Brandon Miller drove to The Strip that night because he was Miles’ ride. Miles also allegedly texted Miller asking for his “joint,” which investigators said meant his gun which Miles left in the back of the car. Miller’s attorney also testified Miller didn’t know “that illegal activity involving the gun would occur.”

A wrongful death suit against Miller and Miles was settled earlier this year, AL.com’s Matt Stahl and Nick Kelly reported. As part of the settlement, the suit will be dropped with prejudice and a trust fund will be set up to benefit Harris’ child.