In December, Brown, a victim of child sex trafficking, was looking at 51 years for murder.
Tennessee’s governor, Bill Haslam, today granted executive clemency to Cyntoia Brown.
Thank God.
Background:
Brown will be granted parole supervision Aug. 7, 2019 after having served 15 years in prison. Brown was sentenced to life in prison for the 2004 Nashville killing of the man who had bought her for sex. She was, appallingly, tried as an adult, despite being 16 at the time and beneath the age of sexual consent for anyone outside her age range. (Making her an even clearer victim of rape.)
Gov. Haslam said his decision to grant Brown clemency comes after "careful consideration of what is a tragic and complex case."
According to a release, Brown was trapped in prostitution and a victim of child sex trafficking at the time when she shot and killed Jimmy Allen.
Nashville mayor’s statement this morning:
I am deeply grateful to Governor Haslam for his decision to commute the sentence of Cyntoia Brown today. He has yet again demonstrated that mercy, redemption and forgiveness have an important place in our democracy and criminal justice system... This is a great day for social justice and our city
Brown earned her associate degree through the Lipscomb LIFE program with a 4.0 GPA, all while behind bars. She is also expected to earn her bachelor's degree later this year.