Former University of Alabama basketball player Darius Miles today was granted an immunity hearing in the death of Birmingham mother Jamea Jonae Harris.
The hearing is set for August 21.
Miles claims he acted in self-defense the morning of Jan. 15, when 23-year-old Harris was shot to death, court records state.
Miles “respectfully requests that the Court, upon hearing the evidence, find (him) immune from prosecution” and the case against him dismissed, a filing from his attorney, Mary Turner, on Wednesday stated.
His co-defendant, Michael ‘Buzz’ Davis, has sought youthful offender status and since that filing existing court files for Davis have been sealed and not available for public viewing. The outcome of that request was not clear as of Friday morning.
Miles was denied bond in May by Tuscaloosa County Circuit Judge Daniel Pruet, who said the issue of bond will be revisited at a later date.
Turner argued at that hearing that Miles, 21, was not the shooter, contended that he was a block away when the gunfire erupted and said he attempted to de-escalate the situation that night and said that the 21-year-old has never before been in trouble.
Pruet will preside over the immunity hearing.
A month after Harris’ death, Tuscaloosa police investigators testified Alabama basketball players Brandon Miller and Jaden Bradley were present at the scene.
In a Feb. 21 court hearing, law enforcement testified that Miles texted Miller to bring him his gun to the scene of the shooting.
Miller’s attorney has said Miller had no knowledge of Miles’ intent when he made that request. Miller is a cooperating witness and is not considered a suspect in the investigation.
Miller on Thursday was drafted to play for the Charlotte Hornets as the NBA’s second selection draft pick. Bradley in May announced his transfer to Arizona.