Darius Miles Denied Bond Second Time in Capital Murder Case
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — With some of his former Alabama basketball teammates looking on in support, Darius Miles was denied bond in a Tuscaloosa County bond hearing Wednesday morning for the capital murder case of Jamea Harris from Jan. 15.
After an impassioned 20-plus minute presentation from Miles' defense attorney Mary Turner, Tuscaloosa County circuit court judge Daniel Pruet denied bond despite saying Miles had more factors in his favor than most capital murder cases.
However, Pruet said the bond issue will be revisited at a later date when there is more information
The decision from Pruet came after about 40 minutes of discovery motions filed by the defense to collect more evidence from the state which Pruet gave the state two weeks to produce for most of the motions.
Then, Turner spoke for almost 25 minutes arguing in favor for Miles' release on bond on the facts of the case, stating the difficulty the prosecution would have getting a conviction and using a PowerPoint presentation to show his character as encourager, God-fearing, selfless, reliable, respectful and involved in the community.
According to Turner and her visits with the guard at the Tuscaloosa County Jail, Miles has been a light to those in the jail and has, "maintained a positive attitude that God is in control."
She also stated that his parents have moved from Washington D.C. to Alabama continue supporting him and that he would not be a flight risk. Miles' mother and stepfather both have served with the Washington D.C. police department and his father is a U.S. Army veteran.
"[He] will follow the rules no matter what conditions are put on him," Turner said after arguing that Miles was entitled to a bond on this charge.
At the beginning of her presentation, Turner presented the defense's perspective of that night and said multiple times that Cedric Johnson and his friends were like, "hawks circling their prey."
Johnson, the boyfriend of Harris who was driving the car when she got shot, was present in the court for the hearing and was served a subpoena by the Turner Law Group prior to the hearing.
State prosecutor Paula Whitley only spent about two minutes talking to the judge on why Miles should not be allowed out on bond, citing Miles' brother-like relationship with Michael Davis, who fired the shots from Miles' loaded gun that resulted in the death of Harris.
Teammates Noah Gurley, Jahvon and Jaden Quinerly were in attendance for the hearing in the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse. Statements from Gurley and Jahvon were used as examples of Miles' character in the defense's presentation to the judge asking for bond. Statements from former players Juwan Gary and Jaden Shackelford were also included.
After the hearing had concluded, Turner got up in front of dozens of people there for Miles, including his parents (who have moved from Washington D.C. to Alabama since the incident happened), family friends, other family and teammates.
"It's not over yet," Turner told supporters.
One of those supporters was Dimingus Bundy, a family friend who's son grew up playing basketball with Miles. He called Miles a "good-hearted kid" that he's known since Miles was 10 years old. Bundy and his son came down from Washington D.C. for Wednesday's hearing.
"I was looking forward to Darius moving forward, coming home, but right now we just have to leave it all in God's hands because we know that Darius is a great kid and only God can control what his situation is," Bundy said after the hearing.
Miles was brought to tears several times throughout the Turner's presentation and left the courtroom with his head down after the judge's decision was announced.
He was previously denied bond from a district court judge at a hearing in February.
