Alabama's Brandon Miller delivered gun in shooting, police say

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — University of Alabamabasketball star Brandon Miller brought a teammate the gun that wasused in a fatal January shooting near campus, an investigatortestified Tuesday.

Miller, a freshman standout, brought Darius Miles’ gun to him onthe night of the shooting after Miles texted him and asked him todo so, Tuscaloosa Police investigator Brandon Culpepper testified,according to news outlets.

The allegation of Miller’s involvement on the night of the Jan.15 shooting came during a preliminary hearing for Miles and MichaelDavis, who face capital murder charges for the death of 23-year-oldJamea Harris.

Former Tide player Miles is accused of providing his gun toDavis, who fired it and killed Harris, prosecutors say.

Alabama coach Nate Oats told reporters Tuesday the team has beenaware that Miller allegedly brought Miles the gun, but the team’sleading scorer is not in “any type of trouble.” He has startedevery game since the shooting.

Miller was just in “the wrong spot at the wrong time,” Oatssaid, later clarifying what he termed his “unfortunate remarks”after receiving criticism on social media.

“We’ve known the situation,” Oats said in a news conferenceTuesday. “We’ve been fully cooperating with law enforcement theentire time. I mean, the whole situation is just sad. The teamclosed practice with a prayer for the situation today, knowing thatwe had this trial today. You think of Jamea and her family,” Oatssaid.

Miller has not been criminally charged. A team representativedid not immediately know if Miller had an attorney.

“We knew about that,” Oats said. “You can’t control everythingeverybody does outside of practice. Nobody knew that was going tohappen. College kids are out. Brandon hasn’t been in any type oftrouble, nor is he in any type of trouble in this case. Like thewrong spot at the wrong time.”

Oats acknowledged in his later statement that those remarks“came across poorly” and sought to clarify,

“We were informed by law enforcement of other student-athletesbeing in the vicinity, and law enforcement has repeatedly told usthat no other student-athletes were suspects,” Oats said. “Theywere witnesses only. Our understanding is that they have all beenfully truthful and cooperative.

“In no way did I intend to downplay the seriousness of thissituation or the tragedy of that night. My prayers continue to goout to Jamea Harris’s family.”

The 6-foot-9 Miller is the biggest star of the second-rankedTide team that had its first AP Poll No. 1 ranking in 20 years lastweek. He is projected to be an NBA Draft lottery pick.

The shooting occurred on the Strip, a business district of barsand restaurants that cater to students near the Tuscaloosa campus.Harris was sitting in the passenger seat of a car when she wasstruck by a bullet, police said.

Investigators wrote in a court document that Miles, who had beena junior reserve forward on the team, admitted to providing the gunused in the fatal shooting, but Davis fired the weapon.

Culpepper said Tuesday that Miles told Davis where his gun wasin Miller’s car.

Prosecutors and defense lawyers presented diverging accounts ofthe shooting. Chief Deputy District Attorney Paula Whitley told thejudge that there was ample evidence to proceed with the caseagainst Miles and Davis.

A defense lawyer suggested during Tuesday’s hearing that Mileswas reacting defensively when he told Davis where the gun waslocated.

“The reason that the gun was provided to Michael Davis was forprotection,” Mary Turner argued.

Defense lawyers asked for Davis and Miles to be released onbond. District Judge Joanne Jannik did not immediately issue adecision on the bond request.

Both Davis and Miles wiped away tears as their mothers’ took tothe stand to testify that they would make sure their sons wouldfollow rules if granted bond.

After court, Harris’ mother told reporters that she isfrustrated by the focus on basketball when the shooting claimed thelife of her daughter.

“She has a 5-year-old son that is still waiting for his motherto come home,” DeCarla Heard told reporters. “I want justice for mygrandson.”