Cyntoia Brown Granted Clemency years after getting life sentence for Killing Man as teen

[Franklin Pierce]

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam granted clemency Monday to Cyntoia Brown, an alleged sex traffic victim who was sentenced to life in prison when she was 16 after killing a man and whose case was championed by celebrities such as Kim Kardashian West, Rihanna and LeBron James.

Haslam commuted her life sentence and Brown will be released to parole supervision on Aug. 7, he said in a statement. Brown had served 15 years in prison before the governor’s decision.

“Cyntoia Brown committed, by her own admission, a horrific crime at the age of 16,” Haslam said. “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.”

Cyntoia Brown granted clemency years after getting life sentence for killing man as teen

 

[MG1968]

I guess Haslam had to do at least one thing right just before leaving office.

 

[DancingOutlaw]

I guess Haslam had to do at least one thing right just before leaving office.

The wording of the article is sort of confusing, it implies she killed the guy that kidnapped her. She actually killed a john and robbed him.

 

[MG1968]

The wording of the article is sort of confusing, it implies she killed the guy that kidnapped her. She actually killed a john and robbed him.

no, she killed a 43-year old sexual predator who "purchased" her from a trafficker. At least that's what I got from the article.

 

[ClearwaterVol]

no, she killed a 43-year old sexual predator who "purchased" her from a trafficker. At least that's what I got from the article.

That really isn't what I gather occurred. I'm fine with clemency. She is still a convicted murderer and that she deserves, but a life sentence for a 16 year old victim who worked hard to turn her life around in prison is too steep.

 

[DancingOutlaw]

That really isn't what I gather occurred. I'm fine with clemency. She is still a convicted murderer and that she deserves, but a life sentence for a 16 year old victim who worked hard to turn her life around in prison is too steep.

I agree the sentence is too long for a minor but the only choices on first degree murder in TN are life and death. I think this could have been a 2nd degree case except she shot him in the back of the head while he slept and stole his stuff.

 

[ClearwaterVol]

I agree the sentence is too long for a minor but the only choices on first degree murder in TN are life and death. I think this could have been a 2nd degree case except she shot him in the back of the head while he slept and stole his stuff.

Yup. I understand the need for sentencing guidelines, but there has to be some room for departure or they must be refined even further.