What's next for Darius Miles' capital murder case? Explaining the upcoming steps

Lost in the explosive aftermath of the preliminary hearing in the Darius Miles capital murder case Tuesday was that the legal process had taken another step forward.

Miles, a former Alabama basketball player, and Michael Davis, who is not affiliated with UA, are both facing capital murder charges after the shooting death of 23-year-old Jamea Harris on Jan. 15 on the Tuscaloosa Strip.

Investigators believe the gun belonged to Miles, 21, but believe Davis, 20, pulled the trigger. Both have been jailed without bond since Jan. 15.

As the felony case proceeds through the court system, here's a look at what Tuesday meant and what the next steps are in the process:

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What was determined in preliminary hearing for Darius Miles?

Evidence from the case was presented. Then as Miles' attorney argued the basketball player supplied the gun to Davis for protection, Davis' attorney argued Davis acted in self-defense. The mothers for both defendants appeared in court and asked the judge to grant Miles and Davis bond, which was denied by Circuit Judge Joanne Jannik later in the day after the hearing.

"The court, having heard the evidence in a preliminary hearing, finds sufficient evidence was presented to establish probable cause that the offense charged was committed by the Defendant," Jannik wrote in Miles' ruling. "The matter is bound over to the Grand Jury."

The purpose of the preliminary hearing was for the judge to hear the evidence that is available up to that point, grant or deny bond and determine whether there is probable cause for the case to move forward.

Miles and Davis remain in jail as the case moves to a grand jury.

The next step in the process: Grand jury

A grand jury is different from a trial jury in multiple ways. A grand jury hears cases for a consideration of indictment. A trial jury in a criminal case determines guilt. An indictment means "formal notice that it is believed that they committed a crime," according to the Offices of the United States Attorneys.

Exactly when a grand jury will look at the evidence in Miles' case is unknown. The next session starts Feb. 27 and goes for two weeks. Members of the grand jury hear hundreds of cases, not just one. The Tuscaloosa grand jury has sessions 10 months out of the year.

If Miles were to have his case examined by this next grand jury, a decision would be made public on the second Wednesday, which would be March 8.

After the grand jury hears the evidence presented, it votes and makes a decision on whether to return a true bill. If a true bill is returned, that indicates the prosecution has shown evidence for probable cause, and the defendant would be indicted for the criminal offense with which they are charged.

On the flip side, if the grand jury doesn't believe there to be enough evidence to show probable cause, then a "no bill" would be returned, forcing the prosecution to drop the charges, per Cornell Law School.

Next steps after indictment

With an indictment, the case would be assigned to a circuit court judge. The next step would be an arraignment, during which a judge would formally inform the defendant of the charges from the indictment and make sure he understands his rights. The defendant would then have a chance to enter a plea, guilty or not guilty.

After that, an assortment of motions can be filed, said Joel Sogol, a Tuscaloosa defense attorney. There also can be settlement discussions, and a settlement could be reached. If not, the next step would be a trial.

Brandon Miller has not been charged with a crime

Branden Culpepper of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit testified in the preliminary hearing, during which he said Alabama basketball star freshman Brandon Miller had brought the gun to the scene.

Miller has not been charged with a crime, and his attorney said Wednesday that Miller never touched the gun, was not involved in its exchange and never knew illegal activity involving the gun would occur.

UA said in a statement Wednesday that Miller is not considered a suspect in this case. "Only a cooperative witness."

Nick Kelly covers Alabama football and men's basketball for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at nkelly@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter: @_NickKelly

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Darius Miles' capital murder case: Next steps for ex-Alabama star