Darius Miles, the former Alabama basketball player involved in the Tuscaloosa murder of 23-year-old Jamea Jonae Harris, learned Monday the state will not be seeking the death penalty against him in spite of being charged with capital murder.
Miles stands accused of providing the firearm that killed Harris to Michael Davis, the shooter. Miles, who owned the weapon, was indicted in March and denied bond in May. His defense is seeking pre-trial immunity in the case on grounds of self-defense arguing that Harris’ boyfriend, Cedric Johnson, initiated the incident. A ruling on that is expected this week.
Court documents released from the Tuscaloosa County Sixth Judicial Court indicate that, if convicted, he could now face a maximum punishment of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Johnson, the boyfriend of Harris, was expected to testify in Monday’s hearing but did not show up, according to The Tuscaloosa News.
The notice to drop the death penalty was signed by District Attorney Hayes Webb, Chief Assistant District Attorney Paula Whitley, and Assistant District Attorney Corey Seale.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
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