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Finally free
Fifteen years after Cyntoia Brown was charged with murder, the woman who says she was a 16-year-old sex trafficking victim when she killed a man in 2004 is no longer under a life sentence.
Reuters
National attention
Following years of national attention from criminal justice advocates, celebrities and politicians calling for mercy _ and just days before he is to leave office _ Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam on Monday granted clemency to the now 30-year-old Brown.
"Cyntoia Brown committed, by her own admission, a horrific crime at the age of 16. Yet, imposing a life sentence on a juvenile that would require her to serve at least 51 years before even being eligible for parole consideration is too harsh, especially in light of the extraordinary steps Ms. Brown has taken to rebuild her life," Haslam said in his statement.
(In pic: Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam)
"Cyntoia Brown committed, by her own admission, a horrific crime at the age of 16. Yet, imposing a life sentence on a juvenile that would require her to serve at least 51 years before even being eligible for parole consideration is too harsh, especially in light of the extraordinary steps Ms. Brown has taken to rebuild her life," Haslam said in his statement.
(In pic: Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam)
AFP
Mix reactions
Brown will remain on parole supervision for 10 years on the condition she does not violate any state or federal laws, holds a job, and participates in regular counseling sessions.
While law enforcement officials had opposed clemency, arguing Brown was not justified in killing 43-year-old Johnny Allen, celebrities like Kim Kardashian West and singer Rihanna spoke out for Brown. The governor's office received thousands of phone calls and emails from supporters.
While law enforcement officials had opposed clemency, arguing Brown was not justified in killing 43-year-old Johnny Allen, celebrities like Kim Kardashian West and singer Rihanna spoke out for Brown. The governor's office received thousands of phone calls and emails from supporters.
AP
Dreadful past
Brown was convicted in 2006 of murdering Allen, a Nashville real estate agent. Police said she shot Allen in the back of the head at close range with a gun she brought to rob him after he picked her up at a drive-in theater in Nashville to have sex with her.
Brown's lawyers contended she was a victim of sex trafficking who not only feared for her life but also lacked the mental capacity to be culpable in the slaying because she was impaired by her mother's alcohol use while she was in the womb.
According to court documents, Brown ran away from her adoptive family in Nashville in 2004 and began living in a hotel with a man known as "Cut Throat," who forced her to become a prostitute. Court documents say he verbally, physically and sexually assaulted her.
Brown's lawyers contended she was a victim of sex trafficking who not only feared for her life but also lacked the mental capacity to be culpable in the slaying because she was impaired by her mother's alcohol use while she was in the womb.
According to court documents, Brown ran away from her adoptive family in Nashville in 2004 and began living in a hotel with a man known as "Cut Throat," who forced her to become a prostitute. Court documents say he verbally, physically and sexually assaulted her.
AP
Thankful
Brown expressed thanks in a statement released Monday by her legal team.
"I am thankful for all the support, prayers, and encouragement I have received. We truly serve a God of second chances and new beginnings. The Lord has held my hand this whole time and I would have never made it without him," Brown said. "Let today be a testament to his saving grace."
While in prison, Brown completed her GED and took college classes. She is currently one course away from finishing a bachelor's degree at Lipscomb University.
"I am thankful for all the support, prayers, and encouragement I have received. We truly serve a God of second chances and new beginnings. The Lord has held my hand this whole time and I would have never made it without him," Brown said. "Let today be a testament to his saving grace."
While in prison, Brown completed her GED and took college classes. She is currently one course away from finishing a bachelor's degree at Lipscomb University.
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