BIIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — The mother of a woman killed near the University of Alabama has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in federal court against Charlotte Hornets rookie Brandon Miller and two other men.


What You Need To Know

  • Authorities described the Hornets' Brandon Miller as a cooperating witness in the investigation into the fatal shooting of Jamea Jonae Harris, 23, on Jan. 15 in Birmingham, Alabama

  • Two others — former Crimson Tide player Darius Miles and Michael Davis — are charged with capital murder in the killing

  • Miller is not charged with a crime, but police say he brought Miles a gun

  • A lawyer for Miller says he didn't handle the gun

Decarla Raietta Heard filed the suit Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama Western Division against Miller, former Crimson Tide player Darius Miles and another man, Michael Davis. Heard's daughter, Jamea Jonae Harris, 23, was fatally shot early in the morning on Jan. 15.

Miles and Davis are charged with capital murder, and Miller was described as a cooperating witness. The former Alabama All-American, who was selected No. 2 in the draft, was not charged with a crime.

The suit filed by Birmingham attorneys Kirby D. Farris and Malia D. Tartt contended that the men “knew or should have known that bringing a dangerous weapon to a dispute and discharging said weapon would likely result in harm to those around them.” They're seeking a jury trial.

Miller and fellow freshman Jaden Bradley, who has since transferred to Arizona, were also placed at the scene. According to police testimony, Miller brought Miles his gun. An attorney for Miller had said the Tide forward was on his way to pick Miles up when Miles texted asking him to bring the weapon, but that Miller never handled the gun and didn’t know any criminal activity was intended.

Attorney Jim Standridge said in a February statement that the gun was concealed under clothes in the back seat and that Miller never touched it “and never knew that illegal activity involving the gun would occur.”