Mississippi man Maurice Taylor serving illegal 20-year sentence granted clemency, weeks after his brother

A man who was given an illegal prison sentence that far exceeded the maximum penalty for his crime has been granted clemency by the Governor of Mississippi. Maurice Taylor, along with his brother Marcus Taylor, had accepted plea bargains in February 2015 for conspiracy to sell hydrocodone acetaminophen, a Schedule III substance used to treat severe pain.

Despite the maximum penalty for their crime being five years, Maurice was sentenced to 20 years in prison with five years suspended, while Marcus received a 15-year sentence. This discrepancy in sentencing prompted Governor Tate Reeves to take action and grant clemency to both brothers.

After the Mississippi Court of Appeals ruled that Marcus Taylor’s sentence was illegal but initially did not release him due to missed deadlines for post-conviction relief, a reversal was made in November, leading to his eventual release. Following this, Maurice Taylor’s post-conviction counsel reached out to the Governor’s office with legal documents, resulting in his clemency order.

Governor Reeves emphasized the importance of correcting this injustice, stating that Maurice Taylor must be released within five days. The Mississippi Impact Coalition, which advocates for criminal justice reform, highlighted the long-overdue nature of this correction and the need for continued advocacy in such cases.

With the signing of the executive order on December 31, 2025, Maurice Taylor and his brother Marcus are the only individuals to have received clemency from Governor Reeves. The process of rectifying illegal sentences and ensuring fair treatment under the law remains a critical issue in the criminal justice system.