Alabama: Brandon Miller will continue to play after lawyer denies involvement in shooting

An attorney representing Brandon Miller said Wednesday the Alabama basketball star "never touched the gun, was not involved in its exchange ... in any way, and never knew that illegal activity involving the gun would occur."

The statement comes one day after a police investigator testified during a preliminary bond hearing for former Alabama basketball player Darius Miles and Michael Davis that Miller had been at the scene of a fatal shooting on the Tuscaloosa Strip on Jan. 15 and brought the gun to the scene.

Miller has not been charged with a crime. Miles, 21, and Davis, 20, who is not affiliated with the basketball program or university, are facing capital murder charges in the shooting death of 23-year-old Jamea Jonae Harris.

MORE: Investigator: Gun used in fatal shooting was exchanged in Brandon Miller's car

CASE INFO: Everything we know about capital murder charge against former Alabama basketball player Darius Miles

Jim Standridge of Crownover & Standridge, LLC said in the news release that Miller "had no knowledge of any intent to use any weapon" on Jan. 15 in the events that led to Harris' death.

"Brandon and his family are horrified and saddened by the events that led to the senseless death of Ms. Harris and continue to offer their most sincere thoughts and prayers for her family," Standridge wrote.

Alabama releases statement

The Alabama athletic department released a statement Wednesday after hearing what Standridge had to say about their leading scorer. The program said that Miller will continue to play and be a part of the men's basketball team.

"UA Athletics continues to cooperate fully with law enforcement in the on-going investigation of this tragic situation," Alabama said. "Based on all the information we have received, Brandon Miller is not considered a suspect in this case, only a cooperative witness. Today's statement from Brandon's lawyer adds additional context that the University has considered as part of its review of the facts. Based on all of the facts we have gathered, Brandon remains an active member of our team."

Timeline of Brandon Miller's connection to shooting scene

Standridge said Miles asked Miller for a ride to a night club on the Strip, and Miles brought his handgun and left it in the back seat of Miller's vehicle.

"Brandon never saw the handgun nor handled it," Standridge said. "Further, it is our understanding that the weapon was concealed under some clothing in the back seat of the car."

Miller didn't go in the nightclub, Standridge said. Instead, Miller went to a restaurant to eat before Miles later asked Miller to pick up him to take him to another location to join friends. After an hour at the restaurant, Miller first gave a ride home to another individual before picking up Miles.

In the meantime, Standridge said Miles and "the individual with Ms. Harris apparently exchanged words."

"Without Brandon knowing any of this context, and as Brandon was already on the way to pick up Mr. Miles, Mr. Miles texted Brandon and asked him to bring him his firearm," Standridge said. "Brandon subsequently arrived at the scene to pick up Mr. Miles."

Standridge added Miller didn't get out of his vehicle and didn't interact with anyone in Harris' party, nor was Miller involved in a verbal altercation.

Standridge also said Miller did not block the Jeep driven by Cedric Johnson, who was with Harris.

"In fact, Brandon had already parked on Grace Street when the jeep pulled up behind him," Standridge said. "The street was never blocked by Brandon’s vehicle. Gunfire erupted shortly after the jeep arrived and Brandon’s vehicle was struck by bullets fired from one of the guns. Brandon quickly left the area when gunfire erupted. As soon as he was notified that someone had been injured and the police wished to speak with him, he has fully cooperated with law enforcement’s investigation."

Standridge said all of the events are captured clearly on video and there is no disputing Miller's activities.

"Brandon has submitted to multiple interviews to assist law enforcement in further understanding the situation, he has volunteered to have his phone contents extracted as well as that of the contents of his automobile," Standridge said. "He will continue to cooperate as any citizen should who has witnessed a serious incident. Brandon does not own a firearm and has never even handled a firearm. Moreover, he had no knowledge of any intent to use any weapon."

Contributing: Victoria Hernandez

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Brandon Miller attorney: Alabama star never touched gun used in shooting