The Shocking 2025 Reality: 5 Key Facts About Tay-K's 80-Year Sentence And The #FreeTayK Movement

The "Free Tay-K" movement has gained renewed and intense scrutiny as of late 2025, following a major legal development that drastically altered the rapper’s future. For years, the public narrative focused on his initial 55-year sentence, but recent court proceedings have resulted in an even more severe conviction, solidifying his status as one of the most controversial figures in modern music history. This article provides the current, up-to-date facts on Taymor McIntyre's legal status, the details of his multiple convictions, and the enduring cultural impact of his brief, explosive career.

The core of the matter, as of December 2025, centers on the combined weight of two separate murder convictions in Texas, which have all but extinguished any immediate hope for the viral rapper's freedom. The recent 80-year sentence for a second murder charge has amplified the calls from his dedicated fanbase, who argue his youth and the circumstances of his crimes warrant a lesser punishment, while victims' families seek justice for their profound losses.

The Complete Taymor McIntyre Biography & Legal Timeline

Taymor Travon McIntyre, known professionally as Tay-K, had a meteoric rise to fame that occurred simultaneously with his flight from the law, creating a legacy inextricably linked to his criminal charges. His story is a unique and tragic intersection of viral success and serious crime.

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• Full Name: Taymor Travon McIntyre
• Date of Birth: June 16, 2000
• Birthplace: Long Beach, California
• Hometown: Arlington, Texas
• Stage Name: Tay-K (also Tay-K 47)
• Breakout Work: The single "The Race" (2017) and the mixtape Santana World.
• Initial Arrest: March 2017, charged with Capital Murder in Tarrant County.
• Fugitive Status: Removed his ankle monitor and went on the run in March 2017, leading to the recording of "The Race."
• First Conviction (Tarrant County, 2019): Convicted of murder for the death of 21-year-old Ethan Walker during a home invasion.
• First Sentence: 55 years in prison, plus 30 years for two counts of Aggravated Robbery.
• Second Conviction (Bexar County, April 2025): Convicted of murder for the death of 23-year-old photographer Mark Anthony Saldivar.
• Second Sentence: 80 years in prison.
• Current Status: Incarcerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), with an active appeal on the 80-year sentence.

The Dual Convictions: 55 Years vs. The New 80-Year Sentence

The "Free Tay-K" slogan originated when the rapper was a fugitive, but it gained its modern context after his first conviction. However, the legal landscape shifted dramatically in April 2025 with the conclusion of his second, separate murder trial in Bexar County, Texas.

The Tarrant County Case (The 55-Year Sentence)

In 2019, Taymor McIntyre was convicted for his role in a 2016 home invasion in Mansfield, Texas, which resulted in the death of Ethan Walker. Although McIntyre did not fire the fatal shot, he was charged with Capital Murder under the law of parties, which holds all participants responsible for a felony that results in death. A jury in Tarrant County sentenced him to 55 years in prison.

The Bexar County Case (The 80-Year Sentence)

The second, and more recent, conviction stems from an incident that occurred while McIntyre was a fugitive. In 2017, he was accused of fatally shooting Mark Anthony Saldivar, a photographer, outside a Chick-fil-A restaurant in San Antonio. Following a trial, a Bexar County jury found him guilty of murder. In a stunning development, the jury handed down an 80-year prison sentence in April 2025.

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The Combined Sentence and Parole Reality

While Tay-K is now serving two separate murder sentences—55 years and 80 years—the combined total creates a near-impossible path to freedom. In Texas, sentences are often served consecutively. Crucially, the search results indicate that his earliest parole eligibility date is in 28 years, meaning he would be approximately 52 years old before he is even considered for release. This projected release window is based on the stricter parole requirements of the more severe 80-year sentence, which mandates a minimum time served before consideration.

The Lingering Cultural Impact of "The Race" and the Appeal

No discussion of Tay-K is complete without acknowledging the song that cemented his legend and simultaneously became a key piece of evidence against him. The single "The Race" was recorded while McIntyre was on the run from authorities after removing his ankle monitor.

The lyrics, which famously proclaim, "Fk a beat, I was tryin' to beat a case / But I ain't beat that case, b*h, I did the race," were a direct confession and a brazen challenge to the justice system. Prosecutors successfully used the song and its accompanying music video—which shows him holding a firearm—to demonstrate his mindset and lack of remorse during his trials in Tarrant County.

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The #FreeTayK Movement: A Call for Leniency

The "Free Tay-K" movement is a powerful example of how social media can mobilize support for a controversial figure. The hashtag frequently resurfaces, often trending in the wake of other high-profile legal cases, such as the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict.

The core argument from his supporters is one of judicial inequity, claiming that the severity of his sentence, especially given his age at the time of the crimes, is disproportionate compared to others. The movement often cites the fact that he was a minor, or a young adult, when the offenses occurred. However, the prosecution, led in the Bexar County trial by the District Attorney’s office, consistently argued that the brutality of the crimes—including the death of Mark Anthony Saldivar and the serious injury to 67-year-old robbery victim Skip Pepe—warranted the maximum penalty.

The Path to Appeal in 2025

The most current legal development is the stated intention of Tay-K's legal team to appeal the 80-year Bexar County conviction. His defense attorneys, including John Hunter and Thomas Lane, are expected to challenge the conviction on various grounds, including the admissibility of evidence and the jury instructions, which were overseen by Judge Stephanie R. Boyd.

Appeals in Texas are a lengthy process, often taking years to resolve. The legal battle is now focused on overturning the 80-year sentence, as the 55-year conviction has already been upheld through initial appeal stages. A successful appeal would not grant him immediate freedom, but it would significantly reduce the combined time he faces, offering a sliver of hope to the #FreeTayK advocates who remain vocal on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube.

The ultimate fate of Taymor McIntyre lies in the hands of the appellate courts. For now, the reality of the 80-year sentence, combined with his previous 55-year term, means that "The Race" for his freedom is a long and arduous legal marathon.