State won’t seek death penalty for Darius Miles in capital murder case
The state of Alabama will not seek the death penalty in the capital murder case of former Crimson Tide basketball player Darius Miles. The prosecution in the case filed a notice in the Tuscaloosa County Sixth Judicial Court on Monday, noting the range of punishment if Miles is convicted on the charge is life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The notice is signed by district attorney Hayes Webb, chief assistant district attorney Paul Whitley and assistant district attorney Corey Seale. Prosecution could have sought the death penalty in a capital murder case.
The news was first reported by the Tuscaloosa News.
The case stems from the shooting death of Jamea Harris in January near The Strip, close to UA’s campus in Tuscaloosa. Harris, a 23-year-old woman was killed with a gun that investigators have said belongs to Miles.
Miles was indicted in March. He was denied bond in May.
Michael Davis was also charged with capital murder following the incident. Prosecutors have said he was the one who fired, killing Harris.
Neither case has yet gone to trial.
Miles’ defense is seeking pretrial immunity on the grounds of self-defense in the case. A hearing on the matter began Monday and will continue Tuesday.
Harris’ boyfriend, Cedric Johnson, was supposed to testify in the hearing on Monday, but according to the Tuscaloosa News, he did not show. Defense has said Johnson, who was driving the car Harris was riding in when she was killed, instigated the January incident.