The wrongful death lawsuit filed against former Alabama basketball players Brandon Miller and Darius Miles, along with co-defendant Michael “Buzz” Davis, has been resolved through a settlement, as confirmed by federal court records. The case was dismissed with prejudice, and a trust fund was established for the sole child of the late Jamea Jonae Harris.
Following mediation, the parties submitted a joint motion to dismiss the case with prejudice. U.S. District Judge Anna M. Manasco approved the dismissal and authorized the creation of the trust on Monday. Each party will be responsible for covering their own legal fees, according to the court order.
The documents did not disclose the amount placed in the trust or provide further specifics.
The plaintiffs’ legal team declined to comment, as did Miles’ attorney. Representatives for Miller and Davis did not immediately respond to inquiries from AL.com.
The case stems from the fatal shooting of Jamea Jonae Harris on January 15, 2023, near the Strip in Tuscaloosa. The incident followed a confrontation involving Miles, Davis, and Harris’ boyfriend, Cedric Johnson.
At the time, Miller—now in the second year of a four-year NBA contract with the Charlotte Hornets worth over $49 million—was Miles’ ride to the Strip. A police investigator testified that Miles had texted Miller to bring his “joint,” referring to a gun Miles had left in the backseat of Miller’s car.
According to court testimony, the gun was later retrieved from Miller’s vehicle on Grace Street. Investigators stated that Davis took the firearm from the car and fired at Johnson. Police say Johnson returned fire.
Miller’s attorney, Jim Standridge, previously stated in 2023 that Miller was already on his way to pick up Miles when he received the text, and that Miller never handled the gun, was not part of the exchange, and had no knowledge of any illegal activity.
Miller was never criminally charged. However, a grand jury indicted Miles and Davis on capital murder charges, and both remain in custody awaiting trial.
The civil lawsuit, filed by Harris’ estate led by her mother Decarla Heard, alleged that the defendants either knew or should have known that bringing a firearm into a dispute could result in serious harm.
Although Miller’s legal team sought to have the case dismissed—arguing he did not possess, load, or fire the weapon—former judge Scott Coogler denied the motion in April 2024, stating that a jury could reasonably find that Miller could have foreseen the potential for violence.
Miles and Davis remain jailed without bond. Davis is scheduled to go to trial on May 5 in Tuscaloosa. A trial date for Miles has not yet been set. In August, Judge Daniel Pruet again denied Miles’ bond request. Defense attorneys for both men have raised claims of self-defense, while prosecutors maintain Davis fired first.
Tuscaloosa County District Attorney Hays Webb said in August he hopes the case against Miles will proceed to trial in 2025 but noted the backlog of capital murder cases in the court system.
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