NYT stands by report Alabama’s Kai Spears was current at deadly January capturing regardless of denials

The New York Times is standing by its report {that a} fourth Alabama males’s basketball participant, Kai Spears, was current the night time 23-year-old Jamea Jonae Harris was shot and killed close to the college’s campus on Jan. 15, regardless of denials from Spears and the college. 

Video surveillance reviewed by the Times allegedly confirmed Spears, a freshman walk-on, in a automotive with SEC participant and newcomer of the yr Brandon Miller.

Miller was beforehand linked to the January capturing after police testimony alleged that he transported former teammate Darius Miles’ gun to the scene that was used within the capturing. 

Alabama ahead Brandon Miller drives into the lane in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball recreation towards Missouri within the semifinals of the Southeastern Conference Tournament, Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/John Amis)

While Miles has since been charged with capital homicide, Miller faces no fees. His legal professional mentioned the freshman standout was unaware on the time that he was in possession of the firearm. 

ALABAMA BASKETBALL PLAYER STRONGLY DENIES BEING AT THE SCENE OF DEADLY SHOOTING: ‘100% INACCURATE’

Another freshman participant, Jaden Bradley, was additionally current on the time of the capturing, police mentioned.

According to the report, Spears was in Miller’s car which had been struck by two stray bullets. Neither participant was injured. 

When requested concerning the report on Wednesday, Spears advised the newspaper, “I’m sorry, I’m not going to have the ability to discuss that,” however on Thursday, he issued a press release to his Instagram calling the report “100% inaccurate.”

“I’ve one factor to say – the report within the New York Times was 100% inaccurate and the author had full disregard for the reality,” his submit learn. “I’m making an attempt to course of and deal with these false statements that someway have been revealed after which seen by so many. So grateful to Alabama Athletics for refuting it on my behalf.”

A normal view of a basketball with the Alabama brand displayed versus LSU throughout recreation at Coleman Coliseum. Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Jan. 14, 2023. (Greg Nelson/Sports Illustrated by way of Getty Images)

The New York Times advised Fox News Digital Friday when reached for remark that it stands by its authentic reporting that Spears was the fourth Alabama participant on the scene in the course of the deadly January capturing. 

Christian Spears, Spears’ father and the athletic director at Marshall, issued a separate assertion on Thursday calling the report “irresponsible and demonstrably false.” 

“I’m simply extremely upset within the irresponsible and demonstrably false reporting by The New York Times,” Christian Spears mentioned by way of the athletic division. “We are exploring all authorized choices presently. I’ll don’t have any additional remark, as a substitute deferring to the University of Alabama’s assertion on the matter.”

Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne additionally issued a press release calling the report “inaccurate,” stating the one different gamers on the scene, other than Miles, have been Miller and Bradley. 

Darius Miles, #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide, drives with the ball towards the LSU Tigers throughout a recreation on the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on March 5, 2022 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

“Some inaccurate narratives have been reported concerning the involvement of Alabama student-athletes that show an unlucky disregard of the information. We ask all to train cautious due diligence earlier than reporting on this delicate scenario.” 

Michael “Buzz” Davis, who will not be affiliated with Alabama males’s basketball workforce, can be going through capital homicide fees for the alleged killing of Harris, who was a mom to a 5-year-old son. 

Alabama entered the boys’s NCAA match because the No. 1 general seed. It defeated No. 16 Texas A&M Corpus-Christi in a first-round recreation Thursday.