In a major development in the ongoing defamation lawsuit filed by former Alabama basketball player Kai Spears against The New York Times, a federal judge has ordered Shane Lyons, the University of Alabama’s Executive Deputy Athletic Director, to testify.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Herman H. Johnson Jr. denied Alabama’s motion to quash the subpoena, ruling that Lyons’ testimony could provide vital insight into how the university handled communications surrounding the January 2023 Tuscaloosa shooting that sparked the controversy.
Spears, now a redshirt junior at Marshall University, sued The New York Times in May 2023 for falsely reporting that he was in the car with Alabama star Brandon Miller during the fatal shooting that left 23-year-old Jamea Harris dead. The Times later issued a correction acknowledging Spears had been misidentified, but Spears claims the damage had already been done — citing emotional distress, anxiety, and reputational harm.
The Times has defended its reporting under the “substantial truth” doctrine, arguing that the story’s “gist” — that Spears was connected to the events surrounding the shooting — remained accurate even if a specific detail was wrong. The paper also contends that its efforts to verify facts were hindered by Alabama athletics officials, who allegedly told players to respond “no comment” to media inquiries.
According to testimony from Cooper Lee, a team manager later identified as the actual passenger in Miller’s car, Lyons was among several Alabama officials present in a meeting where media silence was instructed. The judge noted this detail as relevant, suggesting Lyons’ input could reveal whether Alabama’s public relations approach affected The New York Times’ ability to verify information.
In his ruling, Judge Johnson wrote that Lyons’ testimony may shed light on “the thoroughness of the Times’ investigation” and whether Alabama’s actions “impacted the accuracy” of its reporting. If the university’s communication strategy limited press access, the judge implied, The New York Times might bear less responsibility for the factual error.
The shooting’s aftermath continues to reverberate in both courtrooms and the sports world. With Michael Davis already convicted of capital murder and Darius Miles awaiting trial in December, the defamation case is set to go before a jury on May 4, 2026 — potentially reopening painful memories for Alabama basketball and the media that covered it.
