Cyntoia Brown gets her freedom after being sentenced to life as a teen
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Image: Tennessee Department of Corrections
A human-trafficking victim who was given a life sentence after killing a man who solicited her for sex as a teen will soon be a free woman.
Having served 15 years of her life sentence, Cyntoia Brown was granted clemency in Tennessee, USA, on Monday, January 7. She shot dead a man who picked her up and took her to his home for sex in 2004 when she was 16 years old, stating it was an act of self-defence, according to the Washington Post.
Cyntoia Brown's case drew much attention in the world of social activism, with public figures such as Rihanna, Kim Kardashian and LeBron James calling for her release.
Brown will be released from prison in August after serving 15 years of the sentence.
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Thank you Governor Haslam 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 https://t.co/rAiru84fgn
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) January 7, 2019
Tennessee governor Bill Haslam granted the 30-year-old her freedom, placing her under 10 years of parole.
According to the BBC, Brown said she shot 43-year-old real estate agent Johnny Allen dead in self-defence after he roughly groped her in his home.
Brown's story dominated headlines and social activism campaigns in the US and her release was seen by some as a day of justice. However, her story is also one that divided public opinion as others felt that she should not have been granted clemency.
She should’ve never been convicted or incarcerated for surviving, but #CyntoiaBrown has been granted executive clemency by Governor Haslam. She will be released to supervised parole on August 7th, 2019. Thankful for all those who fought so hard to #FreeCyntoia. https://t.co/v7YmPANzk6
— GoldenGirlInTraining (@divafeminist) January 7, 2019
#CyntoiaBrown Gov Haslam DO NOT PARDON her! She shot a man in the back of the head while he was asleep. She stole his cash, guns and car. Im sorry she had a bad childhood. I did too I was molested, raped, abused.But I don’t get to murder someone bc of it. NO PARDON. @BillHaslam
— Paula Howard (@kamkensgrammy) January 5, 2019
#CyntoiaBrown will have a tough time readjusting, and partially because she’ll still have a criminal record and be on parole. Getting a job or public housing become harder w/a record.
— Oliver Telusma (@olivertelusma) January 7, 2019
The levels of how deeply mass incarceration can affect people in this country is frightening.
The beautiful smile of a free woman #CyntoiaBrown #Freedom pic.twitter.com/2pVyCn6DRw
— Gohan still a whole bitch tho. (@Rook_OCELOT) January 8, 2019
If you don’t know - you better get to know - don’t let history be a mystery - learn about this story - #CyntoiaBrown long walk to Freedom is almost upon us 👏🏾👏🏾☺️ soon baby girl soon 🙏🏾 there are times when the will of the people is enough to make a change - remember that ✨ pic.twitter.com/rFAo7BgVRG
— Audley Harrison MBE (@audleyharrison) January 8, 2019
#CyntoiaBrown has been granted clemency and is set to leave prison in a few months. Although this has been long overdue, it’s nice to knw tht the more we speak up about certain issues tht hve not gained “spot light attention” the more room we make for change in this unjust world.
— د (@_DXNA) January 8, 2019
my heart aches for #CyntoiaBrown brown, her receiving clemency is amazing news but the state wrongfully stole 15 years of her life. and for another 20 she’ll be under heavy govt surveillance.
— who tf are the beatles???? (@sweetstickyting) January 8, 2019
that is not justice, nor is it freedom.
Let me be clear: I AM happy that Cyntoia Brown is out. I am not happy that it took 15 years. We have to be better. #CyntoiaBrown
— Sarah Jean (@sarahjeanludlow) January 8, 2019
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Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.