Three Strikes Offender Freed

This week, it was reported that a Los Angeles judge freed a homeless man that had been sentenced to 25 years to life after trying to break into a church soup kitchen in an attempt to find food.

The man, Gregory Taylor, was sentenced very harshly in 1997 due to California's three strikes law. Prior to his arrest after breaking into the soup kitchen, he had two felony convictions. The first was for personnel change and the second was for an attempted armed robbery.

The judge said that the original sentence "falls outside the spirit of the three strikes law" and gave Taylor a new shorter sentence for the time that he has a ready served. Law students who are taking part in a project to overturn life sentences for minor convictions showed new evidence about Taylor's character and mental health.  After being freed, Taylor said, "I just want to think you for giving me another chance."

Charged with a serious felony and facing the three strikes law? A Riverside criminal defense attorney from our legal team can help. Contact us now!