On Thursday, October 23, 2025, the Tuscaloosa Thread reported that Circuit Judge Daniel Pruet denied a motion for recusal in the capital murder case against Darius Miles, a former Alabama Basketball player. The decision, detailed in an order issued on Thursday, ensures that Pruet will continue to preside over Miles’ upcoming jury trial in December.

Miles faces charges related to the death of Jamea Harris, a 23-year-old mother, who was fatally shot during an altercation on the Tuscaloosa Strip following a Bama Hoops game. Miles is accused of providing the gun used by Michael “Buzz” Davis, who was convicted earlier this year of capital murder in the same case and sentenced to life without parole. Judge Pruet also oversaw Davis’ trial.

The motion for recusal was filed by Mary Turner, Miles’ lead defense attorney, who alleged bias on the part of Judge Pruet. Turner argued that Pruet’s impartiality could be questioned, warranting his removal from the case.

In his response, Pruet acknowledged the relevant laws and canons cited by Turner regarding bias and recusal but asserted that they did not apply to his handling of the Miles case. He emphasized that the defense had received numerous accommodations from the court.

Pruet stated, “The Defendant has received more accommodations from this Court than any other defendant since the undersigned took the bench…the Court has granted every scheduling request made by defense counsel and every request for extraordinary funds.” He further noted that the extensive accommodations reflected the dedication of Miles’ legal team, and his willingness to grant their requests contradicted the claims of bias.

Pruet firmly denied any bias for or against any party involved in the case. He also refuted the notion that his prior involvement in the co-defendant’s trial gave him an unfair advantage or specialized knowledge that would compromise his impartiality.

“The undersigned is not biased for or against any party in this case…the undersigned’s presiding over the Co-Defendant’s case has not, in any way, provided the amount of knowledge of the evidence in this case that would warrant, much less require, recusal,” Pruet wrote in his order.

The judge addressed Turner’s allegations individually, concluding that the defense had failed to demonstrate any legitimate basis for questioning his impartiality. Consequently, he determined that stepping down from the case was unwarranted.

With the motion for recusal denied, the capital murder trial against Darius Miles is scheduled to commence in the first week of December. If convicted, Miles faces a sentence of life in prison, as the state has removed the death penalty as a possible punishment.

 

 

Source: Tuscaloosa Thread