Mississippi man ordered freed after serving 10 years of illegal 15-year sentence
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Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves ordered the release of a man illegally sentenced to 15 years in prison for a crime that carries a maximum sentence of five years behind bars.
Marcus Taylor was granted a pardon by the governor on Wednesday and must be released within five days of the decision.
“It is undisputed that such a sentence for the crime committed is manifestly unlawful, as recently affirmed by all 10 members of the Mississippi Court of Appeals,” Reeves said in a statement Wednesday. he said.
THE LOUISIANA DEATH GOVERNMENT WAS RELEASED AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 YEARS, WITH THE CASE OVERTURNED AND THE CASE ENDED.
Marcus Taylor was granted a pardon by the governor. (Mississippi Department of Corrections)
“Mr Taylor has served more than 10 years of his sentence and further service of that sentence beyond the statutory maximum of five years would amount to an abuse of justice,” he continued. “As Governor, it is my sworn duty to ensure that the laws of the state of Mississippi are faithfully executed without passion or bias, and I am fulfilling my Constitutional duty by commuting Mr. Taylor’s sentence to time served.”
The state’s Court of Appeals ruled in May that Taylor’s sentence was unlawful, but did not commute his sentence because he missed the deadline to apply for post-conviction relief.
However, after reconsidering the case last month, the court overturned its decision and ordered Taylor’s release.
Mississippi Republican Governor Tate Reeves said Marcus Taylor should be released within five days following his order. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
Taylor accepted a plea deal in February 2015 for conspiracy to sell a Schedule III controlled substance.
According to the appeals court, the trial court and Taylor’s defense brief incorrectly cited the maximum sentence as 20 years.
Acting on the state’s sentencing recommendation, the judge sentenced Taylor to 15 years in prison.
GOVERNOR OF THE REPUBLIC SAVED A LIFETIME DISEASE IN THE LAST HOURS BEFORE EXECUTION
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves issued an amnesty for the first time since taking office in 2020. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
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Taylor will finally be released after Reeves granted clemency for the first time since taking office in 2020.
“This is about justice, not mercy,” the governor said Wednesday. “Mr. Taylor has served his entire five-year prison sentence for the crime to which he pleaded guilty. Respect for the rule of law and the protection of every Mississippian’s right to individual liberty and self-determination are the fundamental principles on which our Constitutional Republic and state were founded. If justice is denied to one Mississippian, it is denied to all of us.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
