JACKSON, Miss. — A key development in the Mississippi justice system occurred when Governor Tate Reeves granted clemency to Maurice Taylor, a man unjustly sentenced to an excessive 20 years for a minor drug crime. This decision follows closely after the release of his brother, Marcus Taylor, who also received clemency after his sentencing was ruled illegal by the court.
In 2015, both Maurice and Marcus Taylor pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell hydrocodone acetaminophen. At that time, the maximum penalty for such an offense was five years; however, Maurice was sentenced to an astonishing 20 years with five years suspended, while Marcus received a 15-year sentence. Governor Reeves remarked on the injustice, stating, 'When justice is denied to even one Mississippian, it is denied to us all.'
In May, a court ruled that Marcus Taylor's sentence was illegal but initially denied him post-conviction relief due to a missed deadline. After some advocacy, the court reversed this decision, leading to his release. In a similar vein, Maurice's post-conviction attorneys recently reached out to the governor's office, prompting Reeves to act on Maurice's behalf.
The Mississippi Impact Coalition, which advocates for criminal justice reform, responded positively to the announcement, stating, 'This correction should have happened decades ago.' They highlighted the need for systemic changes to avoid further injustices, as both brothers are among the few prisoners to have received clemency from Governor Reeves.
Now, with Maurice Taylor set to be released within five days, advocates are hopeful that this case will illuminate the necessary reforms in the state’s judicial system.
