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State of Tennessee v. Shaquille Taylor
Date: 05-16-2026
Case Number:
Judge: Not Available
Court: Circuit Court, Davidson County, Tennessee
Plaintiff's Attorney: Jan Norman and Roger Moore
Defendant's Attorney:
Click Here For The Best Nashville Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory
Description:
Nashville, Tennessee, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Second Degree murder.
Reported by Kent Morlan
Shaquille Taylor, age 32, was accused of gunning down 18-year-old Belmont University freshman in 2023.
Jillian’s parents, Matthew and Jessica, gave powerful victim impact statements after the guilty plea. “There is no worse pain than a father who loses his only daughter to murder,” said Matthew Ludwig. Jillian’s mother, Jessica, added: “Until that glorious day when we shall meet again, I love you, Jillian.” Both parents spoke through tears, sharing Jillian’s final moments, and pain they’ve endured.
A statement was read on behalf of Taylor at the stand which said, “Mr. And Mrs. Ludwig, I’m sorry for your loss. I wish I could take that bullet back. I was not aiming for your daughter at all. If I would have known she was walking in the park, I would’ve never shot her way that evening.”
The case has drawn widespread attention, largely due to ongoing questions about Taylor’s mental capacity. Taylor had a history of criminal activity, but when deemed ‘incompetent to stand trial” by medical professionals during previous evaluations, the District Attorney’s office was forbidden from prosecuting, and Taylor was released. Noting this loophole in the criminal justice system, along with the violent nature of many offenders who are deemed mentally ‘incompetent to stand trial’, Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk predicted a tragedy could easily happen. Jillian was shot and killed just 12 days later.
Her death prompted DA Funk, along with Jillian’s family, and Tennessee State Legislators like Representative William Lamberth and Senator Cameron Sexton, to craft Jillian’s Law. The law requires certain defendants found incompetent to stand trial be committed for treatment, rather than just released. It also prohibits those individuals from possessing a firearm. The Ludwig’s now plan on helping other states draft similar legislation and have set up a non-profit called ‘Rae of Light Foundation’ to assist in that effort. The foundation also provides scholarships to budding musicians, as Jillian was a talented singer and musician who came to Nashville’s Belmont University to continue her musical career.
Reported by Kent Morlan
Shaquille Taylor, age 32, was accused of gunning down 18-year-old Belmont University freshman in 2023.
Jillian’s parents, Matthew and Jessica, gave powerful victim impact statements after the guilty plea. “There is no worse pain than a father who loses his only daughter to murder,” said Matthew Ludwig. Jillian’s mother, Jessica, added: “Until that glorious day when we shall meet again, I love you, Jillian.” Both parents spoke through tears, sharing Jillian’s final moments, and pain they’ve endured.
A statement was read on behalf of Taylor at the stand which said, “Mr. And Mrs. Ludwig, I’m sorry for your loss. I wish I could take that bullet back. I was not aiming for your daughter at all. If I would have known she was walking in the park, I would’ve never shot her way that evening.”
The case has drawn widespread attention, largely due to ongoing questions about Taylor’s mental capacity. Taylor had a history of criminal activity, but when deemed ‘incompetent to stand trial” by medical professionals during previous evaluations, the District Attorney’s office was forbidden from prosecuting, and Taylor was released. Noting this loophole in the criminal justice system, along with the violent nature of many offenders who are deemed mentally ‘incompetent to stand trial’, Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk predicted a tragedy could easily happen. Jillian was shot and killed just 12 days later.
Her death prompted DA Funk, along with Jillian’s family, and Tennessee State Legislators like Representative William Lamberth and Senator Cameron Sexton, to craft Jillian’s Law. The law requires certain defendants found incompetent to stand trial be committed for treatment, rather than just released. It also prohibits those individuals from possessing a firearm. The Ludwig’s now plan on helping other states draft similar legislation and have set up a non-profit called ‘Rae of Light Foundation’ to assist in that effort. The foundation also provides scholarships to budding musicians, as Jillian was a talented singer and musician who came to Nashville’s Belmont University to continue her musical career.
Outcome:
The Defendant elected to plead guilty and was sentenced to 38 years in prison.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of State of Tennessee v. Shaquille Taylor?
The outcome was: The Defendant elected to plead guilty and was sentenced to 38 years in prison.
Which court heard State of Tennessee v. Shaquille Taylor?
This case was heard in Circuit Court, Davidson County, Tennessee, TN. The presiding judge was Not Available.
Who were the attorneys in State of Tennessee v. Shaquille Taylor?
Plaintiff's attorney: Jan Norman and Roger Moore. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Nashville Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory.
When was State of Tennessee v. Shaquille Taylor decided?
This case was decided on May 16, 2026.