Why Alabama star Brandon Miller wasn’t charged for allegedly delivering gun used in Darius Miles murder case

Abraham Smith

Alabama star basketball player Brandon Miller provided the gun used in the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Jamea Jonae Harris in Tuscaloosa in mid-January, according to law enforcement witnesses Tuesday.

According to The Tuscaloosa News, Detective Branden Culpepper of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit testified that Miller’s former basketball teammate, 21-year-old Darius Miles, texted Miller to deliver the gun that ultimately killed Harris.

Culpepper’s testimony came as part of a pretrial hearing for Miles and 20-year-old Michael Lynn Davis, who investigators believe received the gun from Miles before shooting and killing Harris.

The detective also testified that Miles gave the gun to Davis in the back seat of Miller’s car. Investigators allege that Miller’s windshield was hit twice in the shooting and also believe that another Alabama basketball player, Jaden Bradley, was present at the shooting.

MORE: Darius Miles murder allegations explained: What you should know about Alabama basketball player arrested in shooting

Miller was not charged in connection with the shooting and remains on the list of second-place Alabama. Both Miles and Davis were charged with capital murder in Harris’ death. Tuscaloosa County District Judge Joanne Jannik declined Tuesday to rule on whether they would be released on bail, a decision she would make at a later date.

Why Brandon Miller wasn’t charged in connection with the Alabama shooting

AL.com reporter Carol Robinson asked Tuscaloosa Chief Assistant District Attorney Paula Whitley why Miller wasn’t charged with the shooting of Harris. To which Whitley replied, “That’s not a question I can answer. There is nothing we can blame him for.”

According to Section 13A-2-23 of the Alabama Criminal Code — which addresses criminal liability for the conduct of another — intent is a key factor in whether an individual may be charged with criminal conspiracy:

A person is legally responsible for the criminal conduct of another if, with the intent to encourage or assist in the commission of the offence:

  1. He procures, causes or causes another person to commit the offence; or
  2. He assists or assists that other person in committing the crime; or
  3. Having a legal obligation to prevent the commission of the crime, he fails to make the efforts required of him by law.

Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats said Tuesday he and the university are already aware of the information revealed in Tuesday’s testimony. He added that Miller was “not in any kind of trouble.”

“We’ve known about the situation since (it happened),” Oats said via AL.com. “We have cooperated fully with law enforcement throughout. The whole situation is sad. The team ended the practice with a prayer for today’s situation, knowing we had this exam today. Our thoughts are with Jamea and her family Kaine. Really think of your son Kaine who was left behind. So it’s sad.

“We knew that. Cannot control everything anyone does outside of the practice. Nobody knew that would happen. College kids out, Brandon hasn’t been in any trouble, nor in this case is he in any kind of trouble. In the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Oats clarified his statement Tuesday night, saying: “It was in no way my intention to downplay the seriousness of this situation or the tragedy of that night.”

Miller, who leads the SEC with 18.7 points per game, is widely expected to enter the 2023 NBA draft as a potential lottery pick.

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