Former Alabama basketball player Kai Spears has been awarded $9.25 million by a Tuscaloosa jury after he sued the New York Times for defamation for falsely identifying him as a passenger in a car at the site of a fatal shooting.
In January 2023, 23-year-old Jamea Harris was killed in a shooting. Former Alabama basketball player Darius Miles was accused of “aiding and abetting” the alleged shooter, Michael Davis, who has since been convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison. Miles’s case is currently awaiting trial. Former Alabama basketball player Brandon Miller, now an NBA star, was also at the scene but was not charged.
In March 2023, the Times wrote a story that falsely alleged Spears was at the scene. Spears sued the outlet later that year and was awarded the $9.25 million in damages on Thursday following a nine-day trial.
“We’re disappointed the jury found The Times liable for an honest mistake,” a New York Times spokesperson told Front Office Sports in a statement. “We thank the jury for its service, but believe the verdict and award of damages are contrary to law and not supported by the evidence. We are reviewing our legal options.”
Attorneys for Spears did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
