More than two years have gone by since Jamea Harris was shot and killed in the early hours of Jan. 15, 2023 near the Strip in Tuscaloosa.

Two men, Michael “Buzz” Davis and Darius Miles, the now-former Alabama basketball player, have been jailed without bond since then.

Davis is the first to go on trial, beginning today. A jury in a Tuscaloosa courtroom will decide whether he’s guilty of capital murder.

A grand jury indicted both Davis and Miles on capital murder charges in March 2023, but they are being tried separately. Tuscaloosa County Judge Daniel Pruet presides over both cases.

Harris was shot and killed following a dispute between Miles, Davis and Harris’ boyfriend, Cedric Johnson.

At a hearing in 2023, a police investigator testified that Davis was the first person to fire a gun early that morning. He shot at the Jeep that carried Harris, Johnson, and Harris’ cousin Asia Humphrey, police said.

John Robbins, attorney for Davis, has argued that Johnson shot first and Davis returned fire “acting in self defense.” Davis was shot in the shoulder and injured.

The gun Davis used belonged to his friend Miles, per police testimony. Mary Turner, Miles’ attorney, has stated in court that Miles provided the gun to Davis for protection.

Miles was removed from the Alabama basketball team later on the day of the shooting. Davis was not a member of the team.

Here’s what you need to know ahead of Davis’ trial this week:

What happens first in the trial?

Jury selection will begin on Monday.

Selecting a jury could be difficult because the case has been so highly publicized.

Once a jury is selected, opening statements can begin.

After that, witnesses will take the stand.

How long will trial take?

There’s no set time frame for the trial.

Who will be on the witness stand?

The witness list included 28 people as of this past Thursday. That’s a combination of prosecution and defense witnesses.

Inclusion on the witness list does not guarantee each person will be called to testify.

Cedric Johnson is among the people on the witness list. Johnson’s testimony would be significant considering he was driving the Jeep and has not yet testified in any of the hearings during the case.

Other notable names on the witness list include Decarla Heard, the mother of Harris, Skylar Essex, Miles’ girlfriend, as well as former Alabama basketball players Brandon Miller, Jaden Bradley and Nick Pringle. Miller and Bradley were both on the Strip that night.

Miller, now with the Charlotte Hornets, drove to the Strip because he was Miles’ ride, per police testimony. Miles texted his teammate, Miller, asking for his “joint.” The investigator testified that meant Miles’ gun, which he had left in the backseat of Miller’s car.

Later, on Grace Street, Davis retrieved Miles’ gun from the back of the car, per police testimony. Attorney Jim Standridge, then representing Miller, said in 2023 that Miller was already on his way to pick up his teammate, Miles, when Miller received the text.

Standridge also said Miller never touched the gun, wasn’t involved in the exchange of it and “never knew that illegal activity involving the gun would occur.”

Miller was not charged with a crime.

Bradley, who transferred to Arizona the following season, was on the Strip that night with Miles, according to police testimony.

Pringle, now with the Arkansas Razorbacks, was at the Vie at University Downs apartment complex, which is where Davis and Miles went after the events near the Strip. That’s the apartment complex where Miles called 911 to report that his friend, Davis, had been shot. Captain Marty Sellers testified in June 2024 that he spoke briefly with Pringle after arriving that morning. Pringle’s name was also on the lease for the apartment. Neither Pringle nor Bradley have been charged with a crime.

Who are the attorneys in this trial?

Paula Whitley, the chief assistant district attorney, and Corey G. Seale are the prosecutors. John Robbins and Sandy Simpson will represent Davis.

Can Michael Davis or Darius Miles get the death penalty?

No. The state has filed notice in both cases that it will not seek the death penalty. Davis and Miles face life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted of capital murder.

When is Darius Miles’ trial for capital murder?

No date has been set yet. Discussions to determine a date are expected to take place at some point after the completion of Davis’ trial.

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.