In a testimony that has captured everyone’s attention, former Alabama basketball player Brandon Miller recounted the dramatic moments experienced during a shooting in January 2023, in which Jamea Harris lost her life.
Miller, currently a player for the Charlotte Hornets of the NBA, testified in the capital murder trial of Michael Lynn Davis, accused of shooting Harris.
The incident occurred near The Strip in Tuscaloosa, and Miller testified that he was nearly hit by the bullets fired at his vehicle.
Davis and Darius Miles, Miller’s former teammate at Alabama, were arrested and charged in connection with the murder. Miles was charged with “aiding and abetting” Davis by providing him with the weapon.
Miller, 22, recounted his participation and memories of that night for almost 90 minutes. This was the first time Miller spoke publicly about the events.
The player, who has not been accused of any crime, had driven the weapon to the place where Miles and Davis took it. In a hearing in February 2023, it was revealed that Miller drove his Dodge Charger, which had Miles’ weapon in the back seat, to The Strip that night, at Miles’ request.
During the trial, Miller responded to the prosecution’s question about whether he had been offered anything in exchange for not being charged. His answer was clear: “No promise. Just cooperate”.
In June 2023, the Hornets selected Miller with the 2nd pick in the NBA draft.
Miller, Davis, Miles, and Jaden Bradley had been at an apartment on the night of January 14, 2023 before deciding to go to Twelve25 Sports Bar on The Strip. Miller left due to the long line and went to Moe’s, another nearby establishment.
Text messages were exchanged between Miller and Miles. Miles asked Miller to pick him up, to which Miller replied that it would take a while. Later, Miles asked Miller to pick him up.
Miller explained that Miles told him he needed his weapon because someone was “putting on a show.” Miles asked Miller to pick him up first at Twelve25 and then in Bradley’s car.
Miller testified that he interpreted “farce” as a threat or attempt to scare Miles. Miles did not tell him the exact reason why he needed his weapon, nor that he would use it.A video from Miller’s car camera was played, where audio was heard and the video of the road was seen. Upon arrival, Miller parked behind Bradley’s Dodge Challenger.
Miles and Davis approached Miller’s car. Davis asked if there was a bullet in the chamber, and Miles answered in the affirmative.
Miller testified that he did not know what was going to happen and did not speak to Miles or Davis when he arrived at Grace Street.Miller was not present when Davis and Cedric Johnson, Harris’s boyfriend, had a brief conversation outside Harris’s black Jeep.
The video showed Miller passing the Jeep with the lights off. Johnson testified that he did not know the Jeep’s lights were off.
In the video, Miller and Lee were heard discussing what Miles and Davis might be doing. Then, shots were heard. Davis was seen in front of Miller’s car, firing two bullets that hit the windshield and almost reached Miller.
As Miller walked away, someone was heard saying “we almost got killed” and asking what had happened. Miller stopped, worried about his car. He didn’t know that Harris had been shot in the chin and had died.
Miller testified that he went to the police with his lawyer shortly after the shooting and spoke with investigators on two occasions.
Miller had previously declined to speak about the events of that night. His attorney at the time, James Standridge, said Miller fully cooperated with the police. In March 2023, Miller called the situation “really heartbreaking.”
Miller is one of four former Alabama basketball players who appeared on the list of potential witnesses in the case. The trial began with jury selection on Monday.
Miller testified that he knew Davis “since I got to Bama”, knowing him through Miles, and that Davis frequented the basketball team.
The date of Miles’ trial has not yet been set.
Judge Daniel F. Pruet of the Circuit Court presides over the case. If convicted, Davis could face life in prison.
The case is considered a capital murder in Alabama because Harris was inside a vehicle when he was shot. Prosecutors decided not to seek the death penalty.
Miller played one season with the Crimson Tide in 2022-23 before being drafted by the Hornets. He suffered a wrist injury that ended his season in January.
