Lansing Judge Sentences Marcus Hayes to Life in Prison
Marcus Hayes receives a life sentence for the first-degree murder and mutilation of Zaccari Taylor.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Violence
A Lansing judge sentenced 37-year-old Marcus Hayes to life in prison following his conviction for the first-degree murder of Zaccari Taylor. The victim was strangled to death during a fight before his body was dismembered.
Why it matters
The sentencing concludes a violent criminal case in Lansing that involved the death and subsequent mutilation of the victim at multiple local residential locations.
Marcus Hayes and Leonard Hayes have both received life sentences, while Terrence Jones pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact.
The players
Marcus Hayes
He is a 37-year-old man convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the murder and mutilation of Zaccari Taylor.
Zaccari Taylor
He was the victim of a strangulation death that occurred in a Lansing home on May 12, 2024.
Leonard Hayes
He was convicted alongside Marcus Hayes and also received a sentence of life in prison.
Terrence Jones
He is an individual involved in the case who pleaded guilty to the charge of being an accessory after the fact.
The details
The crimes began at a home on Georgetown Boulevard where the victim was strangled, and the defendants later transported the body to a Malcolm X Street residence to be dismembered. The court previously convicted Hayes on charges of first-degree murder and the mutilation of a dead body.
Timeline
May 12, 2024: Zaccari Taylor was killed in a fight.
September 2026: Marcus Hayes was found guilty of murder.
October 20, 2026: Marcus Hayes was sentenced to life in prison.
Legal Context
The life sentence handed down to Marcus Hayes follows the state's established legal requirement for first-degree murder convictions. This outcome aligns with mandatory sentencing protocols that preclude parole for those found guilty of such capital offenses in Michigan.
The resolution of this case brings legal closure to a violent incident that spanned two local residential streets. Residents may note the conclusion of the court proceedings as the state processes the convictions of the involved parties.
The takeaway
The sentencing marks the end of a legal process regarding a violent crime that took place across two city neighborhoods. The court's decision highlights the severe judicial consequences for murder and the desecration of human remains.
Further reading
For more on public safety in the region, visit Lansing Violence.
