University of Alabama basketball star Darius Miles did not shoot a Birmingham mother but owned the gun that killed her, according to newly released court documents.
Prosecutors say Miles provided his gun to friend Michael Lynn Davis, 20, after the two were involved in a “small altercation” with Jamea Jonae Harris, 23, early Sunday morning.
The mother-of-one was apparently trying to flee in a Jeep when Davis fired at the vehicle – hitting and killing Harris. The driver then fired back, hitting one of the suspects, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Authorities now suspect Miles knew Davis would kill Harris when he provided his gun.
Both suspects were charged with capital murder, which carries the possibility of the death penalty in Alabama.
Miles, 21, a junior forward for the University of Alabama team, is accused of providing Michael Lynn Davis with the gun he used to kill Harris
Harris, 23 (pictured with her son Kaine) was visiting her friend and cousin at the University of Alabama when she was shot dead in a car on Sunday morning
Indictment documents released Tuesday say security footage from the scene of the shooting proves Davis, a DC resident, is the one who fired the shot that killed Harris. She was shot only once, the documents say.
But they say Miles “willfully caused the death of Jamea Harris by assisting Michael Davis, who shot Jamea Harris while she was in a Jeep, by providing him with a firearm.”
Police have previously reported that the two parties got into a minor argument on “The Strip” – an area near the university campus.
Harris got into a Jeep and was driving down University Boulevard at about 1:45 a.m. when the shooting erupted, but the driver was driving down the street until he reached and reported to the University of Alabama Police Department near Bryant-Denny Stadium that someone had “shot into the vehicle”. ‘
It was at this point that authorities realized that Harris was dead in the vehicle.
Police were eventually able to identify the two suspects after speaking to several witnesses and viewing surveillance footage which they said clearly shows Davis firing at the vehicle.
Terrifying footage of the incident was also posted online, with witnesses hearing screams after gunshots were heard.
Video of the doorbell ringing caught 11 shots as two black cars sped past at high speed and people could be heard shouting “Oh my God”.
Darius Miles (left) and Michael Lynn Davis (right) have been charged with the murder of Jamea Jonae Harris
Investigators say the two parties got into a minor argument on “The Strip” — an area near the university campus — before the shooting happened at 1:45 a.m
Video of the doorbell ringing captured 11 gunshots as two black cars sped by at high speed and people could be heard shouting “Oh my God”.
In a news conference Sunday night, Tuscaloosa Police Captain Jack Kennedy said, “It appears the only motive was a minor altercation these individuals had with the victim while they were out on the Strip.
“They had no previous relationship.”
But Jamea’s mother, DeCarla Cotton, claims her daughter was attacked by Miles and Davis for refusing to speak to them while they were out.
In an online post, she said: “Took my baby’s life because she wouldn’t talk to him! I will tell you that she was loved by everyone!
“She was a beautiful young woman who loved her family and especially her five-year-old son, Kaine!
“She was just trying to enjoy her weekend with her cousin, who is studying at the University of Alabama, and her boyfriend.”
Miles cried as he went perp after Sunday’s altercation. He has claimed innocence in the attack
Authorities say the driver of the car carrying Jamea admitted firing back, adding that he may have punched a suspect who was being treated at a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries
Miles has claimed he was innocent of the attack.
In a statement, his attorneys said: “Darius Miles and his family are heartbroken tonight at the death of Jamea Jonae Harris.
“Despite being accused of involvement in this tragedy, Darius maintains his innocence and looks forward to his day in court.
“Our company’s investigation is ongoing and no further statements are being made at this time.”
The junior forward was spotted crying as he was put into a Tuscaloosa County Jail police car.
He exclaimed, “I swear I love you more than you can imagine,” though it’s not clear exactly who he was talking to.
The University of Alabama has confirmed that Miles is “no longer” on their basketball team. Above is an archive image of Bryant Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa
Miles’ bio has since been removed from the athletic department’s website, and the university said he was “removed from campus” and is no longer on the team.
A spokesperson for the university said, “The University of Alabama’s highest priority is the safety and well-being of the campus community.
“We are saddened by the incident that occurred near campus last night and offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim.”