A Michigan man who killed his own groomsman with an SUV just hours after getting married has been sentenced to decades behind bars in a case that shocked the local community.
James Shirah, 24, was sentenced Monday to 30 to 45 years in prison after pleading no contest to charges connected to the death of his longtime friend and groomsman, 29-year-old Terry Lewis Taylor Jr.
Prosecutors said the horrifying incident happened on Aug. 30, 2024 — the same night Shirah married his bride, Savanah Collier, in Flint, Michigan.
According to investigators, an argument broke out between Shirah and Taylor after the wedding celebration, and prosecutors say Shirah deliberately struck Taylor with an SUV.
Taylor was later pronounced dead from his injuries.
Court records show Shirah received a sentence of 30 to 45 years for second-degree murder, which had been reduced from an open murder charge. He also received additional sentences for leaving the scene of a deadly crash and driving on a suspended license, though those sentences will run at the same time.
Because Shirah has already spent 618 days behind bars, that time will count toward his prison sentence.
During the emotional sentencing hearing, Shirah reportedly broke down while addressing the court and insisted he never meant to kill his friend.
“I will forever be sorry,” he said through tears. “It was not intentional. That was my best friend.”
He also told the court he accepted “full responsibility” for what happened that night.
Judge Khary Hanible acknowledged Shirah’s lack of criminal history but delivered a chilling response before handing down the sentence.
“I believe that you are not a criminal,” the judge told him. “You are, however, a killer.”
Shirah’s attorney argued the tragedy spiraled out of a drunken fight between lifelong friends.
“There was a fight, an argument, with alcohol involved,” defense attorney Harrell Milhouse said. “This is a situation where you have friends — lifelong friends, best friends — and things get out of control.”
According to testimony, Shirah had reportedly been drinking throughout the day before the deadly confrontation. Prosecutors said he briefly drove away after the argument before returning and allegedly hitting Taylor with the SUV, sending him flying through the air.
The tragedy also pulled Shirah’s new bride into the criminal investigation.
His wife, 23-year-old Savanah Collier, previously pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact. Authorities accused her of failing to cooperate with investigators following the crash.
She is expected back in court later this month, where a judge will decide whether she qualifies for a special youthful trainee program that could eventually allow her criminal charge to be dismissed if she successfully completes probation.
Family members from both sides attended the sentencing hearing, including relatives of Taylor, who delivered heartbreaking victim impact statements.
“When I got to him all I could see was blood,” Taylor’s cousin, Eren Taylor, said before turning directly toward Shirah and adding, “I hope that they throw the book at you.”
A GoFundMe created after Taylor’s death described him as an “amazing person” whose sudden death was “completely unexpected.”