Michael Lynn Davis found guilty of capital murder ahead of Darius Miles trial

A jury found Michael Lynn Davis guilty of capital murder in the 2023 death of Jamea Harris, according to the Tuscaloosa Patch’s Ryan Phillips. He was charged along with former Alabama men’s basketball player Darius Miles, and Davis was the alleged shooter that night.

Davis was also sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Judge Daniel F. Pruet issued the sentencing in Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court.

The verdict comes after testimony from former Alabama players Brandon Miller and Jaden Bradley this week. Miles is being tried separately, although a date has not been set. He allegedly provided the gun used in the shooting.

Jury finds Michael Lynn Davis guilty of capital murder in the 2023 shooting death of Jamea Harris on Grace Street after an hour of deliberations.

I’ll have more shortly

— Ryan Phillips (@JournoRyan) May 9, 2025

“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 Brandon Miller’s testimony in Michael Lynn Davis trial

Miller, who is in his second season with the Charlotte Hornets after being the No. 2 overall pick in 2023 NBA Draft, took the witness stand Thursday to recount his memories of what ultimately led to the shocking 2023 murder of Harris, a young mother from Birmingham. Miller confirmed he drove the car carrying Miles’ handgun that was allegedly used by Davis in the murder, but Miller was never charged in the case.

According to Phillips, Miller began his testimony describing how he and his fellow Crimson Tide teammates were on The Strip celebrating Alabama’s 106-66 home win over LSU on Jan. 14, 2023 in which Miller scored a game-high 31 points. Miller testified he drove Miles to The Strip in his Dodge Charger while Davis road with former Tide teammate Jaden Bradley, per Phillips, before Miller left the group to go to Moe’s Original BBQ in downtown Tuscaloosa with Alabama walk-on Kai Spears.

Tuscaloosa Chief Assistant District Attorney Paula Whiley then went over multiple text messages between Miller and Miles that took place just prior to the shooting, according to Phillips. After some general back-and-forth, Miller eventually told Miles he was en route to pick him up from The Strip at approximately 1:38 am CT, to which Miles wrote back: “I need my joint a n—-rl just got da fakin.”

Miles was allegedly referring to a verbal altercation between Davis and Cedric Johnson, Harris’ boyfriend who shot Davis twice in an exchange of gunfire that killed Harris later that night. Johnson testified on Tuesday that Davis was the aggressor and shot first, per Phillips.

Dashcam footage from Miller’s car was also shown to the jury Thursday morning, according to Phillips, including audio of Miles telling Davis that his gun was in Miller’s car and then responding in the affirmative that there was a bullet in the chamber. Per Phillips’ account of Thursday’s testimony, Miller confirmed Davis was the person caught on video standing in front of his car firing a handgun, allegedly in the direction of Harris’ Jeep Wrangler in which Johnson was in the front passenger seat.

Miller testified his car was struck twice through the front windshield and also sustained damaged when he was side-swiped by Harris’ Jeep as the two vehicles attempted to flee.

Later, under cross-examination, Miller told Davis defense attorney John Robbins that Miles’ use of “fakin” was slang for someone making a threat, according to Phillips, affirming Davis and Miles felt threatened by Johnson prior to the shooting.

Alex Byington contributed.