JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Maurice Taylor, who was handed a prison sentence significantly longer than the maximum for his crime, has been granted clemency by Governor Tate Reeves. This decision follows the clemency granted to his brother Marcus Taylor weeks earlier, who faced a similar unjust sentence.
Both brothers pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell hydrocodone acetaminophen in 2015, unaware that the maximum sentence was only five years. Despite this, Maurice received a staggering 20-year sentence (five years suspended), while Marcus was sentenced to 15 years.
In a statement, Governor Reeves highlighted the injustice, stating, When justice is denied to even one Mississippian, it is denied to us all. The Mississippi Court of Appeals had already ruled Marcus Taylor’s sentence illegal earlier this year,
reversing its earlier decision and ordering his release after public pressure and advocacy.
Maurice Taylor's attorneys recently brought his case to the Governor's attention, leading to this significant correction, mandated to take place within five days. The Mississippi Impact Coalition called this delay in justice unacceptable, emphasizing that it should have been corrected long ago.
Both brothers pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell hydrocodone acetaminophen in 2015, unaware that the maximum sentence was only five years. Despite this, Maurice received a staggering 20-year sentence (five years suspended), while Marcus was sentenced to 15 years.
In a statement, Governor Reeves highlighted the injustice, stating, When justice is denied to even one Mississippian, it is denied to us all. The Mississippi Court of Appeals had already ruled Marcus Taylor’s sentence illegal earlier this year,
reversing its earlier decision and ordering his release after public pressure and advocacy.
Maurice Taylor's attorneys recently brought his case to the Governor's attention, leading to this significant correction, mandated to take place within five days. The Mississippi Impact Coalition called this delay in justice unacceptable, emphasizing that it should have been corrected long ago.
