James Shirah appears in court for his sentencing on May 11, 2026. Photo / Court TV
James Shirah appears in court for his sentencing on May 11, 2026. Photo / Court TV
A Michigan man who got married and then killed his best friend on his wedding night, after an alcohol-fuelled argument, will spend at least 30 years in prison.
James Shirah, 24, sobbed in court as he was sentenced after earlier pleading no contest to murdering his best friend, Terry TaylorJr, in Flint, Michigan, on August 30, 2024.
Shirah had married his bride, Savanah Collier, earlier that day and the couple had been celebrating their nuptials with family and friends - including his best friend Terry Taylor Jr, who was 29.
His lawyer argued that the crash that killed his friend had not been intentional.
Prosecution, however, pointed out that, after the argument earlier in the day, Shirah had left the scene and had time to reflect, before returning and running over his friend.
James Shirah had married his bride, Savanah Collier, on the day he killed his best friend.
Photo / Court TV
In April this year, he pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and other offences, including driving without a licence and leaving the crash scene. He will only be eligible for parole in 30 years.
“Mr Shirah, I believe that you are not a criminal. You are, however, a killer,” Judge Khary Hanible told him in court.
Shirah sobbed as the judge delivered the sentence, and said he will regret that moment for the rest of his life, MLive.com reported.
“The only thing I can do for the rest of my life is express my apology and remorse,” the man said in court. “I will forever be sorry.”
James Shirah told the court; "I will forever be sorry".
Photo / Court TV
His wife Savanah Collier pleaded no contest to being an accessory after the fact, and will be sentenced on May 26.
The victim is survived by his fiancée and four children.
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