Brandon Miller’s lawyer: Alabama star ‘by no means touched the gun’

Alabama basketball participant Brandon Miller has spoken out for the primary time because it was revealed earlier this week that he was on the scene of the homicide of 23-year-old Jamea Jonae Harris final month in Tuscaloosa.

One of many star freshman’s attorneys, Jim Standridge, launched an announcement on Wednesday stating his shopper’s innocence.

“Brandon by no means touched the gun, was not concerned in its trade to Mr. Davis in any approach, and by no means knew that criminality involving the gun would happen,” reads the assertion, which was supplied to Tuscaloosa Patch.

In keeping with legislation enforcement testimony at a preliminary listening to on Tuesday, Miller was requested to convey his gun to teammate Darius Miles and one other man, Michael Lynn Davis, on Jan. 15. Miles and Davis have been charged with capital homicide after allegedly opening fireplace at a automobile and killing Harris in an space referred to as “The Strip,” close to the Alabama campus. When Miller arrived there, Miles advised Davis, “The warmth is within the hat,” and “There’s one within the head,” referring to the gun having arrived with a spherical within the chamber, Det. Brandon Culpepper testified, in keeping with AL.com.

Miles admitted offering the gun that was used within the taking pictures, investigators stated, however advised them that it was Davis who fired the weapon.

Miller has not confronted costs on account of his contact with Miles and the college introduced that he’ll play in Wednesday evening’s sport at South Carolina.

“UA Athletics continues to cooperate totally with legislation enforcement within the on-going investigation of this tragic state of affairs,” Alabama stated in an announcement. “Based mostly on all the data we’ve obtained, Brandon Miller isn’t thought of a suspect on this case, solely a cooperative witness. Immediately’s assertion from Brandon’s lawyer provides extra context that the College has thought of as a part of its assessment of the info. Based mostly on all the info we’ve gathered, Brandon stays an energetic member of our crew.”

Miller’s lawyer within the assertion stated that Miles requested Miller for a journey to the world to go to a nightclub following the Crimson Tide’s win over in LSU on Jan. 14 and that Miles introduced his “authorized handgun” and left it within the again seat of Miller’s automobile. Standridge additionally stated Miller by no means noticed or dealt with the gun, including that it was “hid” below some clothes within the again seat.

Whereas Miles went to a nightclub, Miller went to a restaurant, the assertion stated. Round midnight, Miles then requested Miller for a journey to satisfy buddies, in keeping with the assertion. Earlier than Miller arrived, in keeping with the assertion, Miles and a companion of Harris “apparently exchanged phrases,” unbeknownst to Miller.

“Brandon subsequently arrived on the scene to choose up Mr. Miles,” the assertion learn. “Brandon by no means obtained out of his automobile or interacted with anybody in Ms. Harris’ celebration. He was by no means concerned in a verbal altercation with Cedric Johnson or Mr. Davis.”

Standridge added that all the occasions described within the assertion had been captured on video and there may be “no dispute” about Miller’s actions that evening.

“Brandon doesn’t personal a firearm and has by no means even dealt with a firearm,” the assertion stated. “Furthermore, he had no data of any intent to make use of any weapon.

“Gunfire erupted shortly after the jeep arrived and Brandon’s automobile was struck by bullets fired from one of many weapons. Brandon shortly left the world when gunfire erupted. As quickly as he was notified that somebody had been injured and the police wished to talk with him, he has totally cooperated with legislation enforcement’s investigation.”

In keeping with the assertion, Miller has given a number of interviews with legislation enforcement, has volunteered to have his cellphone contents extracted, in addition to the contents of his automobile.

“It’s unhappy,” Alabama coach Nate Oats stated of Miller’s alleged involvement. “We knew about that — can’t management every thing anyone does exterior of observe. No person knew that was going to occur. School children are out, Brandon hasn’t been in any sort of hassle or is in any sort of hassle on this case. Unsuitable spot on the unsuitable time.” 

Oats, who didn’t know of Miles’ request of Miller on the time, later referred to as his preliminary remarks “unlucky” and stated his statements “got here throughout poorly.”

Miles was since been dismissed from Alabama and his lawyer and people of Davis are claiming self-defense and are asking to be launched on bond.