Cyntoia Brown, born Cyntoia Denise Mitchell, is a name familiar with many, even without knowing why. Brown, born in 1988 in Tennessee, was convicted at the age of 16 of first degree murder, felony murder, and aggravated robbery after killing a man who had given her money in exchange for sex Brown grew up in Tennessee, and fled her home at an early age. She was taken in by Garion McGlothen, known by the street name Kut-Throat, who became her procurer. In 2004, 43 year old Johnny Michael Allen was found dead with a gunshot wound to the back of his head. Authorities brought in Cyntoia for the murder, who confessed that Allen had paid her to have sex with him and that she killed him in self defense after fearing for her life. Brown and her defense maintained that the shooting was in self defense, and that she kept the money given to her by Allen to avoid reprimand from Kut-Throat. The prosecution, however, argued that Brown murdered Allen in order to then rob him. Cyntoia was charged as an adult, despite being only 16 years old, and was sentenced to life in prison. Over her 15 years spent in prison, Brown was described as being a model citizen. She completed and associate’s degree at Lipscomb University, mentors young women and girls with Tennessee’s Juvenile Justice System, and is completing her bachelor’s degree and starting a non-profit. Now in 2019, Tennessee governor Bill Haslam has agreed to grant Cyntoia clemency and full commutation to parole. “Cyntoia Brown committed, by her own admission, a horrific crime at the age of 16,” Haslam stated. "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.” Many believe Brown’s sentence in 2004 to have been especially harsh. It is believed by those, including filmmaker Dan Birman, WZTV anchor Stacy Chase and End Slavery Tennessee Founder and CEO Derri Smith, that Brown’s case would have ended differently if tried today. Tennessee and other states’ juvenile laws have changed since Cyntoia’s conviction. At least twenty states have recently implemented laws granting immunity to kids who were victims of trafficking of other crimes. “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,” Brown said. “My hope is to help other young girls avoid ending up where I have been.” 15 Ways You Can Help Fight Human Trafficking
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DBAC DISPATCHCulture - Activism - Community Service Archives
March 2019
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