JACKSON, Miss. — Maurice Taylor, an individual unjustly sentenced to an illegal prison term exceeding the legal limit for his crime, has been granted clemency by Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves. This decision follows a similar clemency granted to Taylor's brother, Marcus, just weeks prior.
In 2015, both Maurice and Marcus Taylor pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell hydrocodone acetaminophen, a Schedule III controlled substance. Although the maximum penalty at that time was five years, Maurice was sentenced to 20 years with five suspended, and Marcus received a 15-year sentence.
In his announcement, Governor Reeves emphasized the collective injustice faced by Mississippi citizens when individuals such as Maurice are denied fair sentences. When justice is denied to even one Mississippian, it is denied to us all, he stated.
This development comes in the wake of a May ruling by the Mississippi Court of Appeals declaring Marcus Taylor's sentence illegal, leading to his eventual release. Following recent communications from Maurice's post-conviction counsel, the Governor ordered Maurice’s release within five days.
Advocacy groups, such as the Mississippi Impact Coalition, expressed approval for the clemency, highlighting the prolonged injustice faced by the brothers. This correction should have happened decades ago... It shouldn’t have taken relentless advocacy, public pressure, and the glaring contrast of one twin free while the other remained incarcerated to expose this injustice, the Coalition posted on social media.
Currently, the Taylors stand as the only individuals to receive clemency under the Reeves administration.
In 2015, both Maurice and Marcus Taylor pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell hydrocodone acetaminophen, a Schedule III controlled substance. Although the maximum penalty at that time was five years, Maurice was sentenced to 20 years with five suspended, and Marcus received a 15-year sentence.
In his announcement, Governor Reeves emphasized the collective injustice faced by Mississippi citizens when individuals such as Maurice are denied fair sentences. When justice is denied to even one Mississippian, it is denied to us all, he stated.
This development comes in the wake of a May ruling by the Mississippi Court of Appeals declaring Marcus Taylor's sentence illegal, leading to his eventual release. Following recent communications from Maurice's post-conviction counsel, the Governor ordered Maurice’s release within five days.
Advocacy groups, such as the Mississippi Impact Coalition, expressed approval for the clemency, highlighting the prolonged injustice faced by the brothers. This correction should have happened decades ago... It shouldn’t have taken relentless advocacy, public pressure, and the glaring contrast of one twin free while the other remained incarcerated to expose this injustice, the Coalition posted on social media.
Currently, the Taylors stand as the only individuals to receive clemency under the Reeves administration.
