Man Who Killed His Groomsman on His Wedding Night Sentenced to at Least 30 Years, Bride Awaits Sentencing

“I will forever be sorry,” 24-year-old James Shirah told the court of his “best friend” Terry Lewis Taylor Jr.’s death

NEED TO KNOW

• A groom who struck and killed his groomsman on his wedding night in August 2024 has been sentenced to 30 to 45 years in jail
• James Shirah, 24, was sentenced a month after pleading no contest to second-degree murder, failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in death and driving on a suspended, revoked or denied license
• Prosecutors said Shirah intentionally hit Terry Lewis Taylor Jr. with an SUV after getting into an argument

A Michigan groom who hit and killed his groomsman with an SUV on his wedding night has been sentenced to at least 30 years in jail.

Prosecutors said James Shirah, 24, deliberately hit his 29-year-old groomsman, Terry Lewis Taylor Jr., with an SUV after an argument broke out just hours after Shirah and wife Savanah Collier exchanged their vows on Aug. 30, 2024, in Flint, Mich. Taylor was later pronounced dead.

After pleading no contest last month, Shirah received a sentence of 30 to 45 years in prison on Monday, May 11, according to court records. He’s also required to pay $334 in fines and court costs. Shirah received credit for 618 days already spent in jail, which will be deducted from his sentence.

He was sentenced to 30 to 45 years for second-degree murder, reduced from open murder, and 10 to 15 years each for failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in death and driving on a suspended, revoked or denied license. The sentences will run concurrently, local media outlet MLive reported.

Shirah’s bride, 23-year-old Collier, pleaded guilty to one count of accessory after the fact last month. Per ABC12 News, she may seek a sentence under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act on May 26. If Genesee County Circuit Court Judge Khary Hanible approves, and Collier completes a term of probation, her criminal charge will be dismissed.

Shirah, who had no prior felonies or misdemeanors, had asked the court to sentence him to 225 months, per MLive. “I will forever be sorry,” he said, becoming emotional, “It was not intentional. That was my best friend … I accept full responsibility for my actions that night.”

According to the outlet, Shirah told the court he didn’t mean to kill Taylor, his longtime friend. Judge Hanible told him, “I believe that you are not a criminal. You are, however, a killer.”

Shirah’s attorney, Harrell Milhouse, claimed it was an accident. “There was a fight, an argument, with alcohol involved,” he said, via Court TV. “This is a situation where you have friends — lifelong friends, best friends — and things get out of control.”

PEOPLE reached out to Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton for comment on the sentencing but did not immediately hear back.

According to testimony, Shirah had been drinking throughout the day and left his argument with Taylor for about a minute before returning and allegedly hitting him. The crash sent Taylor flying through the air, MLive reported.

Per ABC12 News, Collier was also accused of failing to cooperate with authorities during the investigation into the crash.

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Relatives of both Shirah and Taylor were present at the hearing. Eren Taylor, a cousin of Terry, delivered a victim impact statement. “When I got to him all I could see was blood,” she said, via MLive, before addressing Shirah directly: “I hope that they throw the book at you.”

A GoFundMe page previously set up to help with the cost of Terry’s funeral described him as an “amazing person” and called his death “completely unexpected.” The fundraiser raised over $3,000 of a $5,000 goal.