Judge denies bail for man accused of killing girlfriend at Athens bus stop

Jeffrey Scott Tate

By Joe Johnson

A Superior Court judge has denied bail for a man who was arrested earlier this month for killing his ex-girlfriend by allegedly running her down intentionally with an SUV.

Jeffrey Scott Tate, 58, was charged with murder in connection with the Aug. 11 death of 45-year-old Shelby Cox, who was fatally struck by a Toyota Highlander being driven by Tate as she waited at a bus stop on Atlanta Highway in Athens.

Police said that Tate had intentionally struck the woman with the vehicle and then fled from the scene.

Just a month prior to the incident, Cox posted on Facebook that she and Tate had become engaged.

Shelby Cox and Jeffrey Tate (Facebook)

Tate’s request for bail was denied on Wednesday by Judge Eric Norris who ruled that if released from custody, there was a likelihood that Tate would commit additional crimes and that he’d pose a risk to the community and witnesses.

When Cox was killed, Tate already was under indictment for domestic violence against another woman — his wife, Sharlyn Tate, who he allegedly assaulted with a knife in 2021 while in the presence of his juvenile grandson.

No further court proceedings are currently scheduled for the murder case, which must next be presented to a grand jury for indictment.