Darius Miles Changes Legal Counsel Ahead Of Preliminary Hearing

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Former University of Alabama basketball player Darius Miles has changed his legal counsel after initially releasing a statement through one law firm professing his innocence to the charge of capital murder in the shooting death of a Birmingham woman early Sunday morning.

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As Patch previously reported, Birmingham attorney William White released a statement on Sunday on behalf of Miles.

However, court documents obtained by Patch and White both confirmed that Miles is no longer represented by Boles Holmes White, LLC and is now being represented by Tuscaloosa attorneys Mary Turner, Kayla Griffin and Grace Prince of the Turner Law Group.

Turner Law Group also said Darius Miles was unaware of a previous statement being issued on his behalf and issued this statement:

"Darius, his family, and all of us at Turner Law Group first and foremost want to express our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of Jamea Jonae Harris. This is a tragic and sad situation and our hearts go out to all of those who have been hurt by her death. Darius is distraught over this situation and deeply saddened by the death of Ms. Harris."

The Tuscaloosa law firm also said Miles is "saddened" by any negative light shed on the University of Alabama, his coaches, his teammates and his family, all of whom have been positive influences in his life.

"Darius and his family appreciate all who have shown their concern, offered prayers and tried to help him during this difficult time and asks that all keep Ms. Harris’s loved ones in your prayers," the law firm said. "In light of statements made by the media and other people who were not present or otherwise have a personal interest in the outcome of this case that are contrary to the limited evidence previously released by local law enforcement, we encourage everyone to withhold judgment."

White told Patch that in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, there was "every indication" that Miles' family would retain his firm as legal counsel and one of his partners spoke over the phone with Miles before he was booked into the Tuscaloosa County Jail without bond.

He then said the family wanted to get a statement out expressing condolences to the family of the victim — 23-year-old Jamea Harris. White also said Miles was not aware there would be a statement released, but was aware of White's firm representing him at the time.

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The other suspect, who is believed to have fired the fatal shot with a gun provided to him by Miles, is 20-year-old Michael Lynn Davis. He is represented by Birmingham attorney John C. Robbins.

Both men have had their initial appearances in court and their legal teams are currently preparing for their preliminary hearings.

As Patch previously reported, both Miles and Davis were identified as suspects after a vehicle pulled up to a University of Alabama Police vehicle at the Walk on Champions Sunday morning around 1:45 a.m.

The driver of the vehicle stopped for help and informed police that he had been shot at on Grace Street and returned fire, potentially hitting someone in the opposite vehicle.

Harris had been sitting in the passenger seat of the vehicle when she was struck by gunfire and died before receiving medical treatment.

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The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit assumed the investigation and charged Miles and Davis after interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence of the shooting.

Investigators believe the shooting followed a minor altercation earlier in the evening on The Strip.

Perhaps the biggest revelation in the case thus far came from the deposition filed earlier this week alleging that Miles admitted to police that he provided Davis the handgun used in the shooting.

Miles was quickly removed from the Alabama basketball team following his arrest for capital murder and Tide coach Nate Oats has offered condolences to the family of Jamea Harris, while also saying the team has been taking advantage of the counseling services offered on campus.

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