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Calif. man free after 13 years in jail for failed food theft

Case is being highlighted as example of shortcomings in California’s three-strikes law

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — A homeless man is free after spending 13 years behind bars for trying to steal food from a Los Angeles church kitchen.

Gregory Taylor became an example of the harsh sentences allowed by California’s three-strikes law when he was ordered to spend 25 years in prison because of his two prior robbery convictions.

On Monday, a Superior Court judge reduced his sentence to eight years already served.

Taylor was greeted by happy family members Thursday as he left jail.

He plans to work for his brother’s food pantry.