Darius Miles set to be tried in December, plea deal on the table

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WHNT) — The capital murder trial against former Alabama Basketball player Darius Miles has been set for the end of the year.

Tuscaloosa County Circuit Judge Daniel Pruett set the trial for Dec. 1 during a status hearing Friday. Miles was present in court for the first time in his case in nearly a year.

Miles and Michael Davis are charged with the 2023 death of Jamea Harris. Davis was convicted this past May and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Judge Pruett asked both sides how long they anticipated the trial lasting, with the State saying it would run around the same time as Davis’ trial, which lasted a week. Defense Attorney Mary Turner said she would need more time and that it may run into a second week.

“I don’t exactly know what she is referring to, she said she thought the case could go into the second week,” Tuscaloosa County Assistant District Attorney Paula Whitley said. “She has some ideas for her defense and expects the case may take longer.”

Whitley said that the State is ready for the trial and that it will be different than Davis’ trial.

“I’m sure it will be different, we have a lot of information,” Whitley said. “I’m sure we will explore every avenue.”

Both sides said that Miles has been offered the same plea deal that Davis was offered ahead of his trial. Miles has until Aug. 15 to accept. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.

The shooting occurred on The Strip, a student-oriented business district of bars and restaurants near the Tuscaloosa campus in 2023. Investigators said Harris was sitting in the passenger seat of a car when she was struck by a bullet, which brings a capital murder charge in Alabama.

Miles was removed from the university’s team following his arrest.