Man Sentenced to Maximum Punishment for 2023 Memorial Day Weekend Vehicular Homicide:

Last month, Stephen James Taffe pleaded guilty to First Degree Vehicular Homicide, DUI, Driving While License Suspended, Following Too Closely, and Open Container. During the Memorial Day 2023 weekend, the Defendant struck a vehicle driven by Angelina Fuller (pictured) from behind, which led to the death of Ms. Fuller. Later testing found that the Defendant’s blood alcohol level was 0.284, more than 3 times the legal limit.

Angelina Fuller

It was also discovered that the Defendant’s vehicle had an ignition interlock device installed. This device requires a breath sample to test for alcohol prior to allowing the vehicle to operate and was installed because of Taffe’s prior DUI conviction.

At the sentencing hearing, Assistant District Attorney Madison Caito presented evidence from the ignition interlock device company that showed the device was tampered with, allowing the Defendant to drive his car while under the influence of alcohol. The Court also heard a 911 call from a concerned citizen who was attempting to help law enforcement find the defendant’s vehicle after she saw him driving extremely erratically. During the hearing, the State discussed recorded jail calls from the defendant that showed a lack of remorse. Finally, the court heard from numerous friends and family members of Ms. Fuller about the impact her death has had on them. 

After hearing the evidence and argument from the State and defense, the Court accepted the State’s sentencing recommendation of 17 years in confinement. This amounts to the maximum sentence allowed under the law for these offenses. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Madison Caito, Investigator Josh Shumate, Senior Victim Advocate Shay Payne, Trial Assistant Ellen Bales, and Legal Assistant Lila Geiger. The investigation was led by the Georgia State Patrol with assistance from the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, the GBI Crime Lab, and the DA’s Office. 

"When someone drives under the influence, it turns their car into a weapon that can kill. Any loss of life due to a DUI driver is unacceptable and tragic, but this case is especially egregious. Not only did Taffe have a history of DUIs and he was extremely intoxicated, but he also took steps to bypass a device installed in his car that was designed to stop him from driving if he had alcohol in his system. 

Nothing will undo the loss Ms. Fuller’s family suffered. But I hope this sentence can send a message to every driver out there that driving under the influence is unacceptable.”

Randy McGinley

District Attorney

Alcovy Judicial Circuit