Trial Begins in Deadly Shooting Involving Former Alabama Basketball Player

Self-defense, or ambush? That was the question of the day at the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse as the trial began for Michael Davis, who was involved in the deadly shooting on The Strip in Tuscaloosa. Davis, a friend of former Alabama basketball player Darius Miles, is charged with capital murder for the death of Jamea Harris, a case dating back to January 2023.

Get our free mobile app

Darius Miles is also charged with capital murder. Davis had no affiliation with the Alabama men's basketball team, but Miles was removed from the team the morning after the shooting on the strip. He does not have a trial date yet.

Only one witness took the stand on Tuesday as the trial began. Asia Humphrey, the cousin of Jamea Harris, recalled ducking to the floor when she heard gunshots, according to AL.com. She yelled, hoping Harris would duck as well.

Harris died from a gunshot wound to the head on that night.

AL.com reports that Humphrey teared up when testifying to a jury, thinking back on the moments immediately following her cousin's death.

Davis fired into the Jeep, carrying Humphrey, Harris, and Cedric Johnson - Harris' boyfriend.

A police investigator in 2023 testified that Davis and Johnson fired their guns early in the morning near the strip. According to the police, Davis fired first and hit Harris. However, Davis's attorney said Johnson shot first, according to a 2023 report, claiming Davis returned fire in "self-defense."

"He acted to protect himself and his friends," John Robbins, attorney for Michael Davis, said on Tuesday.

The weapon belonged to Miles, with Mary Turner, Miles' attorney, previously stating that Miles provided the gun to Davis for protection.

AL.com reports that on Tuesday, both the prosecution and defense questioned who was "hunting: on the night Harris was shot. Miles and Davis, or Johnson?

After Davis and Miles retrieved the gun, "now they're hunting," Cristen Mejia, an assistant district attorney in Tuscaloosa County, said.

She also blamed Harris' boyfriend and claimed the shooting was an "ambush," according to AL.com.

Robbins told the jury,“ This case is really about Cedric Johnson’s, I want to call it, pride, I want to call it, jealousy, I want to call it, his insecurity.”

Robbins also said that once Johnson moved into the driver's seat and turned onto University Boulevard, that's when Robbins noticed a shift.

"At this point, Cedric Johnson is on the hunt," Robbins told jurors.

After opening statements, the prosecution called Humphrey to the stand.

Humphrey answered several questions, mainly about what happened at the intersection of Grace Street and University Boulevard. Humphrey, Johnson, and Harris spent several hours at Twelve25 sports bar on the Strip, then Johnson went to get food at Quick Grill. Harris and Humphrey went to get the Jeep, which they parked at the corner in front of a stop sign.

Davis, Miles, and former Alabama basketball player Jaden Bradley also left Twelve25 at the time. They walked up Grace Street, and Humphrey testified that Davis stopped and danced in front of the Jeep for roughly four seconds.

Davis approached the driver's side rear window, where Johnson was sitting.

According to Humphrey's testimony, Johnson told Davis, "They're good, bro."

"I don't want your girl," Davis responded from outside the vehicle.

Shortly after the interaction, Harris passed Johnson his gun, according to Humphrey's testimony.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.