Alabama’s Miller breaks silence on ‘heartbreaking’ killing

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama basketball star Brandon Miller spoke Wednesday about being at the scene of a shooting that left a 23-year-old mother dead, saying he will “never lose sight of the fact that a family has lost one of their loved ones.”

Miller, in a week where he collected awards — and was snubbed for a big one — spoke to reporters for the first time since his name was linked to the Jan. 15 scene in Tuscaloosa in which Jamea Harris was killed.

“This whole situation is just really heartbreaking, but respectfully that’s all I’m going to be able to say on that,” The Associated Press

Southeastern Conference player and newcomer of the year said.

Ex-Alabama player Darius Miles is charged with capital murder in the shooting. Prosecutors say he provided the gun used in the shooting to another man, Michael Davis, who shot Harris. Davis is also charged with murder.

Miller’s name was brought up in court by authorities as having delivered the gun on the night of the shooting at Miles’ request. Freshman point guard Jaden Bradley was also at the scene, authorities said. Neither have been charged with a crime.

Alabama has said its star forward is a cooperating witness, not a suspect. Neither Miller nor Bradley have been held out of a game.

With Miller and Alabama preparing for the SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament, it’s hard for either to separate the accolades and success from Harris’ death.

A likely No. 1 NCAA seed, Alabama won the regular season SEC title and opens its bid to win the league tournament Friday.