Ex-Alabama star Brandon Miller named in wrongful death lawsuit

Publish date: 2024-04-27

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Hornets rookie and former Alabama males’s basketball forward Brandon Miller is one of three men named in a wrongful death lawsuit filed through the circle of relatives of Jamea Jonae Harris, who was once killed in a January taking pictures close to the University of Alabama.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Harris’ mother and consultant of her estate, DeCarla Heard, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama Western Division, known as for a jury trial to offer out damages for the incident.

The other two men named are former Alabama participant Darius Miles and Michael Davis, who're both facing homicide fees for the death of Harris, a Jan. 15 incident in Tuscaloosa for which Miller — the No. 2 general pick of the 2023 NBA Draft — was not charged.

Harris used to be killed in the early hours of the morning when Miles allegedly opened hearth at a automobile she was once using close to the college’s campus while she used to be visiting a family member.

The lawsuit alleges that Davis and Miller “knew or will have to have known that bringing a dangerous weapon to a dispute and discharging mentioned weapon would most probably consequence in harm,” according to ESPN.

It additionally alleges that Harris’ accidents and death had been “an instantaneous or proximate result of the negligence or wantonness of each of the defendants.”

“They would like to listen testimony from all three of the young men involved concerning what they did, said and noticed,” Kirby D. Farris, some of the legal professionals representing Heard, stated, in step with ESPN. “The family would like the chance, thru their legal professionals, to research why and the way the gun was once dropped at the scene of a confrontation that resulted in the death of their daughter. Once we now have had the opportunity to guage the evidence in the case, we can make decisions in regards to the stage of culpability, if any, of each.”

In a remark, Heard’s legal professionals also said the circle of relatives has questions they nonetheless want answered.

“Words will never accurately describe the heartbreak we feel in the wake of Jamea’s devastating and useless death,” the statement read, per AL.com. “We have a number of unanswered questions surrounding the occasions leading to the taking pictures death of our daughter and our is hope to get answers.”

Farris’ firm has contacted the lawyers of Davis and Miles and has additionally spoken to an lawyer representing the Hornets, where Miller is set to start his rookie season.

“Am I surprised that this lawsuit has been filed? No,” Davis’ lawyer John Robbins stated, in line with ESPN. “I haven’t reviewed the lawsuit but Michael will take the proper steps to shield himself in this lawsuit as he is in the criminal case.”

In a February listening to, a police investigator testified that Miller was on the scene of the crime and that the gun used in the killing of Harris got here from the back of Miller’s car.

In response, Miller’s legal professional, Jim Standridge, said then that Miller had “no knowledge of any intent to use the weapon” and that he “by no means touched the gun” nor used to be involved in its “change.”

Standridge also stated Miller never noticed or handled the gun, adding that it was once “concealed” below some clothes in the back seat.

Miller signed a contract in July worth $Forty nine million over four years with Charlotte after being taken No. 2 general in this summer season’s draft.

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