Cyntoia Brown will be freed from prison after support from Kim Kardashian and Rihanna
If you're an avid follower of Rihanna or Kim Kardashian on social media, you might be familiar with the name 'Cyntoia Brown'. That's because both celebrities have previously posted campaigning for justice for the 30-year-old, who's currently serving a life sentence many people believe is undeserved.
Cyntoia is in prison for murder - and has been for the past 15 years - after she was found guilty of shooting and killing Johnny Michael Allen when she was just 16. But due to the nature of the circumstances surrounding the murder, many believe the justice system failed her. Now, after a decade and a half, Cyntoia has been granted clemency for her crime, and will be freed from prison later this year.
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As a young teenager, Cyntoia was sexually abused by a pimp ominously named 'Cut-Throat', who sent her out on the streets as a prostitute in order to earn money for himself. In a 2011 documentary, Cyntoia recalled the constant rape and abuse she suffered at the hands of Cut-Throat, who would reportedly threaten her with violence if she didn't comply. "He'd jack me up, pull me by my hair and stuff," she said.
In August 2004, when she was just 16, Cut-Throat sold Cyntoia to a man named Johnny Michael Allen for sex. But the youngster was terrified of him. "At first he was stroking me but then he grabbed me in between my legs real hard and gave me this look," BBC Newsbeat reports she said in her trial.
"It was a very fierce look and it sent these chills up my spine."
Fearful Allen was going to hurt her, Cyntoia admits to grabbing a gun and shooting the man dead. She was convicted of murder, being sentenced life imprisonment, and has been serving out her time in Tennessee Prison for Women since she turned 18 in 2006. Cyntoia's sentence meant she wasn't eligible for parole for 51 years - by which time she'd have been nearly 70.
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But all that has changed now that the New York Times reports the courts have granted the young woman clemency. Clemency, in the state of Tennessee where Cyntoia is imprisoned, is defined as "an act of mercy or leniency providing relief from certain consequence of a criminal conviction".
The clemency was granted by Governor Bill Haslam, who leaves office later this month. Explaining why he made the decision to take mercy on Cyntoia, he said:
"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."
During her time in jail, Cyntoia studied for an associate's degree and only has one module left to complete before achieving her Bachelor's degree, too, which she will do before she leaves prison.
"Transformation should be accompanied by hope," the Governor said.
Being given clemency means Cyntoia will be released from prison on August 7. She will remain on parole for 10 years and will be required to attend counselling sessions, as well as to carry out community service and to get a job.
In a statement, you can see how overjoyed she is with the news. "Thank you, Governor Haslam, for your act of mercy in giving me a second chance. I will do everything I can to justify your faith in me," it read.
She continued: "I want to thank those at the Tennessee Department of Corrections who saw something in me worth salvaging... We truly serve a God of second chances and new beginnings."
Cyntoia's case and the gross injustice of the circumstances attracted widespread attention across America and the rest of the world, with high profile figures stepping in to campaign for her freedom.
In November 2017, Rihanna posted twice in just a few days days about Cyntoia on her Instagram account, using the hashtag #FREECYNTOIABROWN..
Model and actress Cara Delevingne also posted about Cyntoia's case at the time, as did Snoop Dogg. Kim Kardashian went one step further than protesting on social media.
"The system has failed," the reality star wrote on a tweet in November 2017 that received over half a million likes. "It’s heart breaking to see a young girl sex trafficked then when she has the courage to fight back is jailed for life! We have to do better & do what’s right."
The system has failed. It’s heart breaking to see a young girl sex trafficked then when she has the courage to fight back is jailed for life! We have to do better & do what’s right. I’ve called my attorneys yesterday to see what can be done to fix this. #FreeCyntoiaBrown pic.twitter.com/73y26mLp7u
- Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) November 21, 2017
Kim K added in the tweet that she had spoken to her lawyers about the case "to see what can be done to fix this."
Now, a little over a year later, something has been done. And Cyntoia Brown will be forever grateful.
"I am thankful for all the support, prayers, and encouragement I have received," she said in her statement.
"I am committed to live the rest of my life helping others, especially young people. My hope is to help other young girls avoid ending up where I have been"
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