Mississippi Governor Grants Clemency to Man Serving Illegal 20-Year Sentence

In a move that righted a historical wrong, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves has granted clemency to Maurice Taylor, a man serving a 20-year prison sentence for a crime that carried a maximum penalty of five years. This decision comes weeks after Reeves granted clemency to Taylor's brother, Marcus, who was also serving an illegal sentence. The brothers, both convicted in 2015 for conspiracy to sell a Schedule III substance, received plea bargains that included sentences far exceeding the maximum allowed under Mississippi law. Maurice Taylor was sentenced to 20 years, with five years suspended, while Marcus Taylor received 15 years. In May, the Mississippi Court of Appeals ruled that Marcus Taylor's sentence was illegal, but due to a missed deadline, his sentence was not commuted. However, after a rehearing in November, the court ordered his release. Similar action is now being taken for Maurice Taylor, who will be released within five days. Reeves' decision to grant clemency to both brothers highlights the importance of upholding justice and ensuring that those who have been wronged are given the opportunity to rectify their situations. As the Governor noted, 'When justice is denied to even one Mississippian, it is denied to us all.'