Nate Oats: Brandon Miller in 'wrong spot at the wrong time' on night of deadly shooting

Alabama head coach Nate Oats has commented on the newest development in the Darius Miles murder case. Police testimony revealed Miles allegedly texted Brandon Miller to bring the gun.

Oats met with reporters Tuesday morning and said the program knew what happened. He also said Miller hasn’t been in trouble, adding he was in the “wrong spot at the wrong time” the night of the shooting.

“We’ve known the situation since [it happened],” Oats said. “We’ve been fully cooperating with law enforcement the entire time. The whole situation is sad. The team closed practice with a prayer for the situation today, knowing that we had this trial today. We think of Jamea and her family, Kaine. Really think about her son, Kaine, that was left behind. It’s sad.

“We knew about that. Can’t control everything anybody does outside of practice. Nobody knew that was going to happen. College kids are out. Brandon hasn’t been in any type of trouble nor is he in any type of trouble in this case. Wrong spot at the wrong time.”

Miller has seen his name come up in NBA Draft circles as a potential lottery pick, even coming in as the projected No. 4 overall pick in ESPN analyst Jonathan Givony’s latest mock draft earlier this month. Oats acknowledged the NBA implications Miller’s involvement could have.

“I’m sure NBA scouts will ask,” Oats said. “They do their homework. I think the article that it came out in also stated that Brandon has been interviewed and they’re comfortable with everything that happened there.”

Police testify Darius Miles texted Brandon Miller for gun used in killing of Jamea Jonae Harris

AL.com’s Carol Robinson reported the testimony, which reveals Miller’s involvement. When Miller arrived on the scene of last month’s shooting, Miles told Michael Davis — who allegedly pulled the trigger and killed Jamea Jonae Harris — “the heat is in the hat.” That, according to Det. Brandon Culpepper, meant a gun was on the scene. Then, Miles said “there’s one in the head,” which meant a round was in the chamber.

Police also testified Miller’s windshield was hit twice by gunfire. Tuscaloosa chief deputy district attorney Paula Whitley also spoke with AL.com about why Miller didn’t receive any charges in the case, which saw Miles get charged with capital murder.

“That’s not a question I can answer,” Whitley said. “There’s nothing we could charge with him according to the law.”