Shooting gun was brought by Alabama star Brandon Miller
Freshman basketball star for the Alabama Brandon Miller, allegedly provided the weapon used in the murder of a lady last month to a teammate.
At a hearing on Tuesday, Tuscaloosa police officer Branden Culpepper testified that Darius Miles contacted him and requested Miller to bring his pistol to him on the night of the shooting death of 23-year-old Jamea Jonae Harris.
Culpepper testified during a preliminary hearing for Miles and Michael Lynn Davis, who have been charged with capital murder in connection with the January 15 shooting death of Harris, who was found near the campus of the University of Alabama.
Miles, who has since been expelled from the Crimson Tide programme, reportedly revealed to investigators that he supplied the pistol used in the deadly shooting, but that Davis was the one who pulled the trigger.
On Tuesday, Culpepper stated that Miles disclosed to Davis the location of Miller’s firearm.
While Miller has not been formally charged with any wrongdoing, Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats said at a press conference later on Tuesday that the team was aware of Miller’s ties to the investigation. According to AL.com, Tuscaloosa’s top deputy district attorney Paula Whitley said on Tuesday that “there’s nothing we could charge [Miller] with.”
Judge Joanne E. Jannik of Tuscaloosa County District Court refused bond for both Davis and Miles despite emotional testimony from both men’s mothers, who testified that their sons would comply with the law if released on bond.
A grand jury will be presented with the matter for further investigation.
The incident happened on “the Strip,” a popular hangout spot for college students close to the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa. According to the authorities, Harris was shot while riding as a passenger in a vehicle.
On Tuesday, Oats claimed the programme had “fully cooperating with law enforcement the entire time” and that the “whole situation is sad.”
When questioned if they knew that Miller had brought the gun to Miles, Oats responded, “We knew about that, “Can’t control everything anybody does outside of practice. Nobody knew that was going to happen. … 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.”
When Oats received backlash on Twitter for his “unfortunate words,” he attempted to explain his position.
Oats said in a statement made Tuesday night that he “came across terribly” with racist remarks.
Law enforcement told us there were other student athletes around, but they have assured us twice that none of them are suspects, Oats said. They were only spectators. From what we can see, everybody has been totally forthright and helpful.
“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.”
The prosecution and defence each gave different versions of what happened during the shooting. To the judge’s satisfaction, Whitley stated that there was sufficient evidence to continue the case against Miles and Davis.