Fans from the University of South Carolina heckled Alabama small forward Brandon Miller during the Crimson Tide’s road game against the Gamecocks Wednesday night. Fans’ increased vitriol toward Miller, which included chants like “lock him up,” was seemingly in response to allegations that Miller provided the gun that former teammate Darius Miles and accomplice Michael Lynn Davis have been accused of using in the fatal shooting of Jamea Jonae Harris.
Details about Miller’s alleged involvement in the January shooting emerged Tuesday when Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit officer Branden Culpepper provided testimony for the case. Culpepper alleged that Miller brought the gun to Miles, the owner of the firearm. Miles was in possession of the gun in the car while driving and allegedly handed it to Davis, who has been accused of firing the shot that killed Harris.
Both Miles and Davis have been charged with capital murder, but Tuscaloosa Chief Deputy District Attorney Paula Whitley told Al.com that Miller would not be charged because “there’s nothing we could charge him with.”
Miller’s attorney released a statement Wednesday denying all charges against his client, arguing that the Alabama star was not involved in the incident.
“Brandon has submitted to multiple interviews to assist law enforcement in further understanding the situation, he has volunteered to have his phone contents extracted as well as that of the contents of his automobile,” the statement said. “He will continue to cooperate as any citizen should who has witnessed a serious incident. Brandon does not own a firearm and has never even handled a firearm. Moreover, he had no knowledge of any intent to use any weapon.”
Following his arrest in January, Miles was promptly taken off the Alabama roster, but Miller, a star for the team and likely first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, remains on the court for the Crimson Tide. He responded to criticism from the South Carolina crowd with a career-high 41 points. Alabama won the game 78-76 in overtime.
After the game, Alabama coach Nate Oats briefly addressed the issue surrounding Miller, saying that his player was in the “wrong spot, wrong time.” Oats later clarified his comments after receiving criticism.
“This entire time I’ve tried to be thoughtful in my words relative to this tragic incident, and my statements came across poorly,” Oats said. “We were informed by law enforcement of other student-athletes being in the vicinity, and law enforcement has repeatedly told us that no other student-athletes were suspects—they were witnesses only. Our understanding is that they have all been fully truthful and cooperative.”
At their preliminary hearing Tuesday, Miles and Davis were denied bond and will remain in Tuscaloosa County Jail as their trials continue.
