Photo Courtesy of Tuscaloosa County Jail
Former Crimson Tide basketball player Darius Miles and his friend Michael “Buzz” Davis are set to be arraigned on capital murder charges in May, for the shooting death of Jamea Jonae Harris on January 15.
The Tuscaloosa grand jury issued indictments against both men earlier this month, and they remain in custody without bond at Tuscaloosa County Jail. However, both defendants have filed motions requesting a renewed request for bond.
Miles and Davis’ attorneys have claimed that their clients are not flight risks and do not pose a danger to the community.
Attorney John Robbins, who represents Davis, noted that his client has family and friends who are willing to assist in posting bond.
Miles is represented by attorneys Mary Turner, Kayla Griffin, and Grace Prince, who have filed a motion demanding the preservation of all audio and video captured by jail security cameras during the preliminary hearing.
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According to Alabama.com, the arraignment is set to take place on May 24th, and Circuit Judge Daniel Pruet will oversee the case. During the preliminary hearing, lead Det. Branden Culpepper testified that Harris, who was in Tuscaloosa that weekend with her boyfriend and cousin, was in her black Jeep when Miles and Davis approached the vehicle.
Davis was reportedly dancing outside of the car and trying to get Harris’ attention, but when Johnson told Davis that she had a boyfriend and to move on, Davis said something to the effect of “I don’t want your girl,” and both Miles and Davis walked away.
The situation escalated, with Davis reportedly saying to Johnson, “You don’t know who I am and what I do.”
Turner, Miles’ attorney, said that Bradley told police that Miles had tried to calm down Davis. Miles thought he saw a gun going from the back seat of the victims’ vehicle to the front seat. The Jeep drove off, took a right on University Boulevard and then came back, its lights were off. Miles texted Miller and said, “I need my joint,” which is slang for a gun.
Miles and Davis again approached the Jeep, and Davis opened fire, striking Harris. Johnson returned fire, striking Davis in the right shoulder and grazing his right side. Miller’s vehicle was hit by gunfire twice in the windshield. Harris was pronounced dead at the Walk of Champions, where the victims had driven after the shooting.
Defense attorneys have argued that their clients could have been in fear that night, as they had seen a gun in the victim’s vehicle. The case has raised questions about self-defense and Stand Your Ground laws, which may be addressed in future hearings.