‘We must now live with a life sentence, and so should he’: Family of Jillian Ludwig awaiting judge’s decision to go forward with a murder trial

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - After two days of testimony from witnesses called by both the defense and prosecution, Shaquille Taylor’s competency hearing has ended. Now it’s up to the judge to decide if Jillian Ludwig’s alleged killer is currently fit to be brought to trial.

“I will issue an order as soon as possible so we can set it for trial or have him be transferred to some other facility for potential restoration of competency,” Judge Steve Dozier said.

Taylor is accused of first-degree murder and evidence tampering in the death of 18-year-old Jillian Ludwig. She was hit by a stray bullet while out on a jog at Edgehill Memorial Gardens in November 2023.

Just months before that shooting, he was found incompetent in another case where he shot at a car. At that time, he was found incompetent by three doctors, but because he did not meet the standards of involuntary commitment to a mental health facility, he was released.

Prosecutors argued over both days that Taylor should have been found competent in the previous case, and he should be found competent now.

“The state’s position is that Doctor Wood’s opinion of competency in this case is biased and it’s wrong. She will not admit that her opinion in 2021 was wrong,” the District Attorney’s office argued.

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They are referring to Dr. Mary Elizabeth Wood, one of the three who did mental health assessments on Taylor in 2021. She again evaluated him in this case. Both times, she found him incompetent.

The defense believes the court should side with the experts they called, who found Taylor incompetent.

“The court received two opinions that Mr. Taylor is incompetent from the defense and from the state. You received nothing,” Taylor’s public defenders said, “If you find that Mr. Taylor is not competent, we’re not opposed to you sending him to the Harold Jordan Center. We’re not opposed to the Harold Jordan team trying to restore his competency and get him back in court so we can deal with this.”

Family and friends of Ludwig sat through both days of testimony. They are adamant that multiple factors, including interviews played in the court of Taylor, showed that he is competent and they should proceed to a trial.

“We believe Taylor is unquestionably competent to stand trial. In the videos we watched today, he spoke clearly and showed that he understands and rationalizes his decisions,” Ludwig’s mother said.

Her parents say Ludwig was talented, ambitious, and had a bright future ahead of her when she was killed.

“We must now live with a life sentence, and so should he,” her mother said.

They have set up a charity in honor of their daughter and her love of music, Rae of Light.