TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — An Alabama judge has granted a former Alabama basketball player accused of capital murder a hearing to decide whether charges in the case will be dismissed.
Attorneys for Darius Miles on Wednesday filed a motion for immunity, asking Tuscaloosa County Circuit Judge Daniel Pruet to dismiss capital murder charges on the grounds of self-defense, news outlets reported. Miles is accused in the Jan. 15 shooting death of 23-year-old Jamea Jonae Harris, of Birmingham.
Miles “respectfully requests that the Court, upon hearing the evidence, find (him) immune from prosecution” and the case against him dismissed, according to a filing from his attorney, Mary Turner, on Wednesday.
Pruet granted Miles' request for an immunity hearing, which is set for Aug. 21.
Miles, 21, and Michael Davis are both charged in connection to Harris' death.
Davis, 20, has sought youthful offender status and since then court files for Davis have been sealed. The outcome of that request was not clear as of Friday morning, al.com reported.
Pruet denied bond for Miles in May, saying the issue will be revisited at a later date.
Alabama star freshman and recent Charlotte Hornets recruit Brandon MIller was reportedly the person who brought Miles the gun, driving to meet him the morning of the shooting. Miller did not face any suspension or punishment from Alabama or the NCAA following the incident.
Tuscaloosa chief deputy District Attorney Paula Whitley was asked at the time of the initial reports why Miller was not charged.
“That’s not a question I can answer. There’s nothing we could charge with him according to the law.” Whitley said.
