Taylor v. State
Supreme Court of Georgia
644 S.E.2d 850 (2007)
Zachary Taylor (defendant) drove his vehicle into Lamar Railey while Railey was pumping gas and then drove off before being pulled over; officers found in Taylor's car documents relating to an ongoing legal dispute between Taylor and Railey. Railey was hospitalized with serious injuries and died days after discharge from a blood clot caused by those injuries. Georgia (plaintiff) charged Taylor with malice murder and introduced Taylor's own prior civil pleadings and an affidavit against Railey to show intent. A jury convicted Taylor, who appealed, arguing the evidence could not support a finding that he intended to kill Railey.
Whether evidence of a defendant's prior strained relationship with the victim and his act of striking the victim with a vehicle is sufficient to establish the intent required for malice murder.