The mother of a 23-year-old Alabama woman who was killed in an incident allegedly involving two men, including Darius Miles, a now-former Crimson Tide basketball player, broke her silence on the killing on social media, adding new allegations against the two accused.
DeCarla Cotton claimed on Facebook that her daughter, Jamea Jonae Harris, was shot and killed because her daughter refused to talk to Miles.
“Took my baby life because she wouldn’t talk to him!!!!” she wrote in a post, in response to an article from WBRC-TV.
Miles, 21, and Michael Lynn Davis, 20, were both arrested following the shooting, and charged with capital murder.
“Darius Miles and his family are heartbroken tonight over the death of Jamea Jonae Harris,” attorney William C. White II said in a statement. “While Darius has been accused of being involved with this tragedy, he maintains his innocence and looks forward to his day in court. Our firm’s own investigation is ongoing, and no further statement will be made at this time.”
Tuscaloosa Police Capt. Jack Kennedy said that the driver of a vehicle approached campus police near Bryant-Denny stadium at around 1:45 a.m., saying that someone had shot into the vehicle, and that he had fired back. Harris was a passenger in the vehicle.
Additionally, one of the suspects was wounded and suffered non-life-threatening injuries, but police didn’t specify who had been hurt.
Miles was promptly dismissed from the men’s basketball team, after the revelation that he had allegedly been involved in the shooting. Earlier in the same day, Miles had been ruled out for the remainder of the season with an ankle injury.
“The University of Alabama’s utmost priority is the safety and well-being of the campus community,” the school said. “We are grieved by the incident that occurred near campus last night and extend our deepest condolences to the victim’s family and friends.”
“We are grateful for the quick and thorough response of law enforcement and emergency response teams, and we will continue to fully support the ongoing investigation. We were made aware of the recent charge against student-athlete Darius Miles; he has been removed from campus and is no longer a member of the Alabama men’s basketball team.”
A GoFundMe was set up to help support Harris’ five-year-old son, Kaine.
“I was asked to up this fundraiser to assist with the care of my daughters son Kaine,” the description reads. “Her life was taken from her at the young age of 23 in a senseless cowardly act. She leaves behind a five year old son that will never know how beautiful his mother was inside and out. She had a heart of gold and was loved by all. It’s no way to express how much she will be missed! I thank everyone that has reached out with their prayers and condolences and I appreciate however you would like to help.”
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