Alabama basketball player Brandon Miller, 24, brought a gun to an incident that led to the death of a 23-year-old woman, according to police. Tuscaloosa police Detective Branden Culpepper testified in court on Tuesday that Miller brought the gun that was used in the shooting death of Jamea Jonae Harris. Having a legal duty to prevent the commission of the offense, he fails to make an effort he is legally required to make. He departed this earthly life Thursday, January 09, 2020, at Memorial Hospital-Gulfport, surrounded by his loving family and friends. And coach Nate Oats made it worse with some astonishingly insensitive comments that have infuriated members of the community, as well as the parents of Jamea Jonae Harris, the young woman who was killed. We knew about that. I dropped the ball. pic.twitter.com/2SsscHHCB9, Brandon does not own a firearm and has never even handled a firearm, the statement said. Natasha Dye is a writer-reporter for PEOPLE Digital covering sports. This story has been updated from a previous version. There was great players that got the award. He added that Miller is not "in any type of trouble.". Wrong spot at the wrong time.". Cotton said of Harris' son, Kaine. "Cant control everything everybody does outside ofpractice. Miles attorney, William C. White II, provided a statement to Fox News Digital Monday maintaining his clients innocence. Based on all of the facts we have gathered, Brandon remains an active member of our team.. Paula Whitley said, Thats not a question I can answer. Tuscaloosa Police investigator Brandon Culpepper said Miller, a freshman standout, had brought a gun to Darius Miles, his teammate at the time, according to local news outlets reports. Miller is not facing any criminal charges at this time. 2. WebMr. Miles and Davis have been charged with capital murder in the death of 23-year-old Jamea Jonae Harris after allegedly opening fire at a car and killing Harris in an area called The Strip, near the Alabama campus. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Millers 41 points against South Carolina are a career record and the most by a freshman in Alabama history. We think of Jamea and her family, Kaine. But - unwittingly or not - he delivered the murder With Miller, Alabama instantly becomes a title contender. in line to earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, a murder in which police say Miller was involved, as well as the parents of Jamea Jonae Harris, Parents of shooting victim rip Alabama and Nate Oats for letting Brandon Miller play, Miles player bio was removed from Alabamas website, player who investigators say was also at the scene, Alabama coach Nate Oats offers 'tone-deaf' reply to Brandon Miller's alleged role in fatal shooting, Asked about Millers focus, Oats told reporters, told USA TODAY Sports it was unimaginable, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. And one of the top players in the country, Brandon Miller, is involved. Again, purely discretionary with law enforcement and prosecutors, Spina told AL.com, noting that most crimes require the convergence of an act and a state of mind. She has a five-year-old son at home still waiting for his mom to come home and she's not going to come home. The gun was merely in Millers car unbeknownst to Miller his attorneys claim. Judge Joanne Jannik denied bond for Miles on Tuesday and the case will now go to a grand jury, The Tuscaloosa News reported. Our firms own investigation is ongoing, and no further statement will be made at this time.". "College kids are out; Brandon hasn't been in any type of trouble nor is he in any type of trouble in this case. Miller has not been charged in relation to the shooting and remains on second-ranked Alabama's roster. College kids are out. It doesnt seem there is a federal theory of prosecution either, under federal laws. Miles was later dismissed from the team after being allegedly involved in the shooting. Hes averaging 19.6 points, eight rebounds and 1.9 assists for Alabama this season while shooting 43.1% from 3. FILE - Alabama forward Brandon Miller brings the ball up during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Auburn on Feb. 11, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. Police say Miller brought a teammate the gun that was used in a fatal shooting near campus. Nobody knew that was going to happen. Therefore, no (conspiracy or aiding and abetting) would apply, Town added. Let us know via entertainment@newsweek.com. Miller, who leads the SEC in scoring at 18.7 points per game, is widely expected to enter the 2023 NBA Draft as a potential lottery pick. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. The boyfriend, Cedric Johnson, returned fire and struck Davis twice. It doesnt take much to establish probable cause to charge someone in a criminal case., You cant charge everyone, or you end up with no witnesses, he said. Jim Standridge of Crownover & Standridge, LLC said in the news release that Miller "had no knowledge of any intent to use any weapon" on Jan. 15 in the events 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. A Warner Bros. 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. Miles admitted providing the gun that was used in the shooting, investigators said, but told them that it was Davis who fired the weapon. ", 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. (Brandon Sumrall/Getty Images). Brandon grew up in DeLisle, Mississippi, and attended Pass Christian Schools, graduating from Pass Christian High in 2005. Legal experts told AL.com the decision whether or not to charge Miller comes down to knowledge and intent. There was one glaring question raised by Tuesdays courtroom testimony detailing Brandon Millers involvement in the shooting death of a woman last month in Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Nobody knew that was going to happen. Tuscaloosa Police Capt. And its the law., Youre not being a loyal friend by enabling the moment, Town said. Alabama star freshman basketball player Brandon Miller delivered the gun used in the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Jamea Jonae Harris in mid-January in Tuscaloosa, according to law-enforcement testimony on Tuesday. Tuscaloosa County District Judge Joanne Jannik declined on Tuesday to determine whether they would be released on bond, a decision she would make at a later date. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. ", Cotton pointed out to USA Today that having the gun involved at all led to her daughter's murder. 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. Brandon never got out of his vehicle or interacted with anyone in Ms. Harris party. 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. Miles and co-defendant Michael Lynn Davis were arrested and charged with capital murder in relation to Harris death campus last month. Oats subsequently released a statement saying, "In no way did I intend to downplay the seriousness of this situation or the tragedy of that night. 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. pic.twitter.com/6G2Ncr4RSr, Oats clarified his statement Tuesday night, saying, "In no way did I intend to downplay the seriousness of this situation or the tragedy of that night. Wrong spot at the wrong time. He departed this earthly life Thursday, January 09, 2020, at Memorial Hospital-Gulfport, Police delivered testimony of Miller's involvement on Tuesday. 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 Harris death. 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 Miles then gave it to Michael Lynn Davis. Alabama coach Nate Oats said Tuesday that Miller is not in any trouble as a result of his alleged involvement. All rights reserved. Weve been fully cooperating with law enforcement the entire time. Miller, a freshman for the Tide, is a 6-foot-9 forward projected to be an NBA lottery pick in the 2023 draft. she said. Alabamas head coach Nate Oats also mentioned Tuesday that Miller will remain with the team. Brandon Miller (left) of the Alabama Crimson Tide works during the first half against Kario Oquendo of the Georgia Bulldogs at Coleman Coliseum on February 18, 2023. Subsequently, the driver of the other vehicle, Harris' boyfriend, Cedric Johnson, shot back in self-defense and wounded Davis, police said, according to the Associated Press. Weve known the situation since (it happened), Oats said, via AL.com. He scored a layup to tie the game with 4.1 seconds remaining, then completed the victory for Alabama with another layup in overtime. Our understanding is that they have all been fully truthful and cooperative. Harriss boyfriend told Davis to move on. A law enforcement officer testified that former Alabama basketball player Darius Miles, who was arrested for his alleged involvement in a shooting that killed Harris last month, had texted Miller to bring Miles gun to the scene where the shooting happened, according to CNN affiliate WBMA. Investigators reportedly placed another member of the team, Jaden Bradley, at the scene, according to The Washington Post. But the gun belonged to 21-year-old Darius Miles, Millers former teammate, according to the testimony. Det. He also had eight rebounds and three steals. Information was shared collectively, and collectively we decided that Brandon was able to play, Byrne told ESPN, declining to talkspecifics. Brandon hasnt been in any type of trouble, nor is he in any type of trouble in this case. It has been said that criminal law is an island of technicalities in a sea of discretion.'. 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. Jaden Bradley, another Alabama player, was at the scene that day. WebMr. We addressed it as a team. From what I know, intent, in this case, on the other hand, would have to be shown by circumstantial evidence. 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