By Kaylin Jorge, Stacy Case, Adrian Mojica, Fox 17 Nashville
Cyntoia Brown will walk away from prison a free woman next week.
Brown was sentenced to life in prison for the 2004 murder of Johnny Allen. Then 16-years-old, advocates say Brown had been a victim of sex trafficking when the former Nashville realtor purchased her for sex. She’ll now walk free on Aug. 7, 36 years earlier than her first sentence.
Former Gov. Bill Haslam granted her clemency with just days before he left office. One of the reasons Former Gov. Bill Haslam says he granted her clemency is because she got her college degree in prison and turned her life around.
Brown’s case has garnered national attention following an outpouring of support from celebrities to Tennessee lawmakers.
Kim Kardashian West, Rihanna, Amy Schumer and other celebrities have supported Brown as she fought her life sentence. Thousands on social media used #FreeCyntoiaBrown to advocate for Brown.
FOX 17 News anchor Stacy Case has been investigating Brown’s case for years, bringing nationwide awareness to the events surrounding Brown’s plight for freedom.
In a statement release, Haslam called the case “tragic and complex.”
“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. Transformation should be accompanied by hope. So, I am commuting Ms. Brown’s sentence, subject to certain conditions.”
This article originally appeared in Fox 17.
