NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The man accused of killing a Belmont University student with a stray bullet in 2023 has been determined to be competent to stand trial.

On Nov. 7, 2023, 18-year-old Jillian Ludwig, a Belmont student from New Jersey, was shot in the head while walking in the Edgehill Community Memorial Gardens Park. She later died from her injuries.

Shaquille Taylor was indicted in connection with the shooting. Records show he admitted to shooting at a van when a stray bullet hit Ludwig.

At the time of the shooting, Taylor was out of jail due to being found incompetent to stand trial for another shooting but also found ineligible for a mental health facility.

Click here to read the court's ruling.

The court determined Taylor's attorneys have not established enough evidence that he is incompetent to stand trial. The court recognizes Taylor's limitations and encourages his attorneys to ask for accommodations for him throughout the trial.

Taylor has been in court for multiple hearings last month for a judge to decide whether he is competent to stand trial. A key focus of the testimony was whether Taylor meets the legal definition of intellectual disability.

Two licensed clinical psychologist testified. One found his IQ test score to be 56, defined as extremely low. She concluded that, at the time, Taylor did not meet the criteria for the insanity defense but claimed he did have an intellectual disability.

The court decided Taylor has "sufficient present ability" to consult with his lawyers. According to court documents, his current IQ was measured at 70.

The attorneys will now submit a date for a jury trial.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/man-accused-of-killing-jillian-ludwig-deemed-fit-to-stand-trial/