Decatur, Georgia. — A Georgia man who kidnapped and murdered the mother of his child while she held their baby has been convicted on multiple felony charges and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Taco Nash, 22, was found guilty by a DeKalb County jury this week in the 2022 shooting death of 21-year-old Mic’Keya Montgomery, who had recently ended their relationship due to alleged domestic abuse.
A Deadly Confrontation at a Day Care
Prosecutors said the violence unfolded on June 15, 2022, when Nash followed Montgomery to a Decatur day care center, where she was picking up their 16-month-old daughter.
As Montgomery waited outside for a ride-share vehicle, Nash allegedly ran up to her, prompting her to flee back inside in fear.
Inside the center, Nash threatened both Montgomery and the baby, shouting, “I’m going to kill you. I’m going to kill that baby, and then I’m going to kill myself,” according to Senior Assistant District Attorney Ashley Johnson.
Day care staff scrambled to protect the children and remove them from harm’s way. Witnesses testified that Nash refused to leave and continued terrorizing Montgomery during the confrontation.
Dragged Into the Woods and Shot
Nash eventually forced Montgomery and their child outside, dragged her at gunpoint into a wooded area near the center, and shot her dead while she was still holding their daughter.
Miraculously, the child was not physically harmed and is now reportedly living with Montgomery’s family.
During the trial, prosecutors showed surveillance footage and presented a heartbreaking note Montgomery had written just weeks before her death. “I can’t stay any longer because if I do, you’ll kill me someday,” the note read.
Defense Claims Rejected by Jury
Nash’s defense attorney, Arnold Ragas, argued that Montgomery had shot herself, pointing to a note found in her purse and the gun being in her hand when police arrived.
Nash was also captured on body camera footage telling officers, “She shot herself.”
But the jury was unconvinced. After deliberating for four hours, they found Nash guilty on all 13 felony counts, including:
- Malice murder
- Four counts of felony murder
- Two counts of kidnapping
- Aggravated assault
- Aggravated stalking
- Cruelty to children
Read Also: Southern California Mother and Boyfriend Convicted of Murdering 7-Year-Old Girl
Sentencing and Justice for Mic’Keya
The court handed down three life sentences without parole, plus 60 additional years, and granted a permanent protective order for Montgomery’s family.
“This case is a devastating reminder of the dangers of domestic violence,” prosecutors said. “Mic’Keya tried to leave — and she knew her life was in danger.”
Domestic violence is real — and often fatal. If you or someone you know is in danger, don’t wait. Share your thoughts and raise awareness about intimate partner violence at ridgecrestpact.org.
