University of Alabama men’s basketball player Kai Spears has filed a lawsuit against The New York Times for defamation, claiming the newspaper falsely claimed he was at the scene of a fatal shooting in January.
The shooting, which occurred in Tuscaloosa near the school campus on Jan. 15, resulted in the death of Jamea Jonae Harris and charges against former Alabama basketball player Darius Miles.
In the complaint, according to the Washington Post, Spears – who has not been charged with a crime – says he was in his dorm with friends the night the events happened. The suit also apparently contains a sworn affidavit from one of Spears’ friends who was allegedly with him that night.
“I was nowhere near the scene or surrounding area when it happened,” Spears said, according to the Post. “I don’t think it’s mistaken identity. I just think they didn’t do their due diligence.
“I’ve had multiple threats from Twitter and Instagram, people telling me to kill myself, people telling me I’m a murderer, we’re a team full of murderers. And they just put out this false narrative… I mean, I didn’t do anything wrong.
Alabama basketball walker Kai Spears sues New York Times for defamation
Spears says the Times misidentified him as being present at a January 15 shooting
The shooting in question took place in downtown Tuscaloosa late on January 15
Miles, who was charged with capital murder and fired from the team, pleaded not guilty. Two other players – Brandon Miller and Jaden Bradley – were also present but neither was charged with a crime.
Prior to Alabama’s NCAA Tournament opener, The Times claimed that Spears was in a vehicle with Miller during the shootout.
The newspaper said “a person familiar with the case” who was granted anonymity “to discuss sensitive issues in the case” identified Spears.
NYT spokeswoman Danielle Rhoades Ha responded to the complaint via The Post, saying, “We plan to defend yourself vigorously against the lawsuit. The Times previously supported reporting of this story and did not respond to a retraction request from Spears.
Spears released a statement on Twitter in March saying, “The New York Times report was 100% inaccurate and the writing had a complete disregard for the truth.”
“I am trying to process and deal with these misrepresentations that have been posted and seen by so many people. So grateful to Alabama Athletics for refuting it on my behalf.
“More than anything…I remain completely heartbroken by the tragic death of this knight.”
Christian Spears, Kai’s father and Marshall University athletic director, called the report “false and inaccurate and no due diligence was performed.”
Darius Miles has been charged with capital murder for the murder of 23-year-old Jamea Harris
Jamea Harris was shot near the University of Alabama campus on January 15
The University of Alabama denied Spears was at the scene and asked for a correction
Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne called the story false and said the report showed “an unfortunate disregard for facts.”
Spears’ lawsuit accuses the Times of defamation, slander and invasion of privacy by misrepresentation.
The suit explains Spears’ whereabouts – claiming he had two friends visiting from Clemson University. After Alabama won a basketball game against LSU, the trio went to a Waffle House, then returned to their dorm before heading to the “Strip” – an entertainment area in downtown Tuscaloosa.
This complaint indicates that the group briefly met Miller around 12:30 p.m., then left him and went to a barbecue. After speaking to Bradley on Facetime to discuss future plans for the evening, Spears and her group left the area around 1:40 a.m., returned to her dorm, and stayed there for the rest of the night.
In the parking lot of her dorm, Spears called Miller and Bradley when she was told “shots were fired at the windshield of Mr. Miller’s vehicle.”
The next day, Spears spoke to Tuscaloosa police. The suit says, ‘The police investigation has conclusively established that the plaintiff Spears was not present at the time of the shooting.
Witz left, and the story was published on the Times website that evening. Denials by Byrne and Christian Spears were added the following day.
Spears says he experienced severe emotional distress following “false statements linking him to a criminal event”.
