James Shirah Sentenced To At Least 30 Years For Killing Terry Taylor Jr In Flint

James Shirah, 24, was sentenced in Genesee County court to at least 30 years in prison for murdering his best friend, Terry Taylor Jr, on his wedding night in Flint, Michigan, on August 30, 2024.

“Groom will spend decades in prison for killing his best friend on his wedding night A man in Michigan who got married and then ran over his best friend that same day has been sentenced to at least 30 years in prison FLINT, Mich”

ABC News

The killing followed an alcohol-fueled argument, and ABC News said Shirah “got married and then ran over his best friend that same day, killing him,” after the celebration moved to a house.

ABC News

ABC News reported Shirah was driving when his vehicle struck Terry Taylor Jr in Flint, about an hour’s drive northwest of Detroit, on Aug. 30, 2024.

In court, Shirah said, “The only thing I can do for the rest of my life is express my apology and remorse. ... I will forever be sorry,” as Judge Khary Hanible delivered the sentence.

Prosecutors said Shirah had left the scene and had time to reflect before returning and striking Taylor, while Shirah’s attorney argued the crash was not intentional, according to the Associated Press.

Judge Khary Hanible told Shirah, “Mr. Shirah, I believe that you are not a criminal. You are, however, a killer,” as the sentence was imposed in Genesee County court.

Associated Press

MLive reported Shirah asked the court to sentence him to 225 months and said, “It was not intentional. That was my best friend. ... I accept full responsibility for my actions that night.”

MLive also said the criminal case ended with “30 to 45 years of incarceration for second degree murder” and additional concurrent terms for operating without a license causing death and failing to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in death.

Before Shirah received his sentence, Eren Taylor, Terry’s cousin, told the court, “I hope that they throw the book at you,” and MLive said the crash took place after the wedding reception on East Hamilton Street in Flint.

“FLINT, MI – The Flint groom who pleaded no contest to killing his ‘best friend’ and best man just hours after their wedding has been sentenced to a minimum of 30 years in prison”

MLive

MLive reported Terry Taylor Jr was survived by four children and his fiancée, and it quoted Eren Taylor’s victim impact statement describing arriving at the scene and seeing first responders performing CPR.

MLive said Shirah’s wife, Savanah Collier, pleaded no contest to one count of accessory after the fact and will be sentenced on May 26.

The Associated Press reported Shirah will be eligible for parole after 30 years, and it said his wife would be sentenced later in May for being an accessory.