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Gov. Bill Haslam grants full clemency to Cyntoia Brown, sets Aug. 7 release from prison
Adam Tamburin and Anita Wadhwani, Nashville TennesseanPublished 11:03 a.m. CT Jan. 7, 2019 | Updated 11:20 a.m. CT Jan. 7, 2019
Cyntoia Brown has been granted clemency by Governor Bill Haslam Michael Schwab, Nashville Tennessean
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Gov. Bill Haslam ordered an early release for Cyntoia Brown, a Tennessee woman and alleged sex trafficking victim serving a life sentence in prison for killing a man when she was 16.
Haslam granted Brown a full commutation to parole on Monday. Brown will be eligible for release Aug. 7 on time served and will stay on parole for 10 years.
“Cyntoia Brown committed, by her own admission, a horrific crime at the age of 16," Haslam said in a statement. "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.”
Brown will be required to participate in regular counseling sessions and to perform at least 50 hours of community service, including working with at-risk youth. She also will be required to get a job.
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convicted of first-degree murder in 2006. She was given a life sentence. Had Haslam declined to intervene, Brown would not have been eligible for parole until she was 69.
The state parole board, which considered Brown's case earlier this year, gave the governor a split recommendation, with some recommending early release and some recommending she stay in prison.
Lawyers for Brown applauded the governor's decision.
"This is truly a joyful moment — for Cyntoia and for all of us who have worked to help her," the statement from Charles Bone and J.Houston Gordon, Brown's lead attorneys.
"The governor's decision is proof that our justice system works and it marks the beginning" of a new chapter for Cyntoia.
In recent years, celebrities have highlighted her case, fueling intense interest and a renewed legal fight to get her out of prison.
Activists, lawmakers and celebrities, including Rihanna and Kim Kardashian West, have cited Brown's case as an illustration of a broken justice system. Brown was a victim herself, they said, and didn't deserve her punishment.
Her impending release sets the stage for her to join their ranks.
During her time in prison, Brown completed her GED and got a college degree from Lipscomb University. Her allies say she hopes to apply her education by supporting social justice issues through her own nonprofit.
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The Cyntoia Brown story
AUGUST 2004
Nashville real estate agent Johnny Allen is found naked with a gunshot wound to the back of his head in his Mossdale Drive home. Brown, 16, told police he picked her up at a Sonic Drive-in. Brown said she was a teen prostitute and shot Allen, 43, because she thought he was reaching for a gun under his bed.
AUGUST 2006
A jury convicts Brown of first-degree murder and robbery.
OCTOBER 2006
Brown is sentenced to life with the possibility of parole. State officials said the law dictated that she serve at least 51 years before becoming eligible for release. Prosecutors pushed for more time because of aggravated robbery and other factors in the crime.
MARCH 2011
PBS documentary "Me Facing Life: Cyntoia's Story" airs nationally, bringing new attention to Brown's case.
JUNE 2012
U.S. Supreme Court rules that mandatory life without parole sentences for juveniles violate Eighth Amendment prohibitions against cruel and unusual punishment.
NOVEMBER 2012
Defense attorneys push for new trial and introduce new evidence about Brown suffering fetal alcohol syndrome.
NOVEMBER 2017
Superstar musician Rihanna again brings attention to Brown's case with the #FREECYNTOIABROWN Instagram post.
MAY 2018
The state board of parole gives Gov. Bill Haslam a split recommendation on Brown's application for clemency.
Two members vote to recommend that the governor grant clemency, allowing for her release from prison. Two vote to recommend that Haslam deny her clemency bid, meaning she would continue to serve a life sentence. Two others recommend the governor reduce Brown's sentence so she could be released after 25 years.
The split recommendations are not binding — the governor can handle the case however he chooses.
JUNE 2018
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals hears argument on whether Brown's life sentence is constitutional. During the hearing, Brown's lawyers said state sentencing laws conflicted, making it unclear if Brown would be required to serve 51 years or life without parole. The panel of judges agreed Tennessee's sentencing laws were confusing and contradictory.
JULY 2018
Haslam receives a copy of parole board's report, which is thousands of pages long. His legal team begins its review of the case.
AUGUST 2018
The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals asks Tennessee's Supreme Court to clarify Tennessee's seemingly contradicting sentencing laws.
DECEMBER 2018
The Tennessee Supreme Court issues a unanimous decision that says defendants convicted of first-degree murder on or after July 1, 1995, and sentenced to life in prison become eligible for release after serving a minimum of 51 years in prison. Their answer will inform the deliberations at the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Haslam says his team is still considering Brown's clemency petition. He expects to announce a decision before leaving office in January.
Cyntoia Brown clemency: Gov. Bill Haslam announces decision
Adam Tamburin and Anita Wadhwani, Nashville TennesseanPublished 11:03 a.m. CT Jan. 7, 2019 | Updated 11:20 a.m. CT Jan. 7, 2019
Cyntoia Brown has been granted clemency by Governor Bill Haslam Michael Schwab, Nashville Tennessean
TWEETLINKEDINCOMMENTEMAILMORE
Gov. Bill Haslam ordered an early release for Cyntoia Brown, a Tennessee woman and alleged sex trafficking victim serving a life sentence in prison for killing a man when she was 16.
Haslam granted Brown a full commutation to parole on Monday. Brown will be eligible for release Aug. 7 on time served and will stay on parole for 10 years.
“Cyntoia Brown committed, by her own admission, a horrific crime at the age of 16," Haslam said in a statement. "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.”
Brown will be required to participate in regular counseling sessions and to perform at least 50 hours of community service, including working with at-risk youth. She also will be required to get a job.
FacebookTwitterGoogle+LinkedIn
Cyntoia Brown appears for first clemency hearing
Fullscreen
Buy Photo
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convicted of first-degree murder in 2006. She was given a life sentence. Had Haslam declined to intervene, Brown would not have been eligible for parole until she was 69.
The state parole board, which considered Brown's case earlier this year, gave the governor a split recommendation, with some recommending early release and some recommending she stay in prison.
Lawyers for Brown applauded the governor's decision.
"This is truly a joyful moment — for Cyntoia and for all of us who have worked to help her," the statement from Charles Bone and J.Houston Gordon, Brown's lead attorneys.
"The governor's decision is proof that our justice system works and it marks the beginning" of a new chapter for Cyntoia.
In recent years, celebrities have highlighted her case, fueling intense interest and a renewed legal fight to get her out of prison.
Activists, lawmakers and celebrities, including Rihanna and Kim Kardashian West, have cited Brown's case as an illustration of a broken justice system. Brown was a victim herself, they said, and didn't deserve her punishment.
Her impending release sets the stage for her to join their ranks.
During her time in prison, Brown completed her GED and got a college degree from Lipscomb University. Her allies say she hopes to apply her education by supporting social justice issues through her own nonprofit.
DOCUMENT
PAGES
TEXT
Zoom
«
Page 2 of 2
»
DOCUMENT
PAGES
TEXT
Zoom
«
Page 1 of 2
»
The Cyntoia Brown story
AUGUST 2004
Nashville real estate agent Johnny Allen is found naked with a gunshot wound to the back of his head in his Mossdale Drive home. Brown, 16, told police he picked her up at a Sonic Drive-in. Brown said she was a teen prostitute and shot Allen, 43, because she thought he was reaching for a gun under his bed.
AUGUST 2006
A jury convicts Brown of first-degree murder and robbery.
OCTOBER 2006
Brown is sentenced to life with the possibility of parole. State officials said the law dictated that she serve at least 51 years before becoming eligible for release. Prosecutors pushed for more time because of aggravated robbery and other factors in the crime.
MARCH 2011
PBS documentary "Me Facing Life: Cyntoia's Story" airs nationally, bringing new attention to Brown's case.
JUNE 2012
U.S. Supreme Court rules that mandatory life without parole sentences for juveniles violate Eighth Amendment prohibitions against cruel and unusual punishment.
NOVEMBER 2012
Defense attorneys push for new trial and introduce new evidence about Brown suffering fetal alcohol syndrome.
NOVEMBER 2017
Superstar musician Rihanna again brings attention to Brown's case with the #FREECYNTOIABROWN Instagram post.
MAY 2018
The state board of parole gives Gov. Bill Haslam a split recommendation on Brown's application for clemency.
Two members vote to recommend that the governor grant clemency, allowing for her release from prison. Two vote to recommend that Haslam deny her clemency bid, meaning she would continue to serve a life sentence. Two others recommend the governor reduce Brown's sentence so she could be released after 25 years.
The split recommendations are not binding — the governor can handle the case however he chooses.
JUNE 2018
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals hears argument on whether Brown's life sentence is constitutional. During the hearing, Brown's lawyers said state sentencing laws conflicted, making it unclear if Brown would be required to serve 51 years or life without parole. The panel of judges agreed Tennessee's sentencing laws were confusing and contradictory.
JULY 2018
Haslam receives a copy of parole board's report, which is thousands of pages long. His legal team begins its review of the case.
AUGUST 2018
The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals asks Tennessee's Supreme Court to clarify Tennessee's seemingly contradicting sentencing laws.
DECEMBER 2018
The Tennessee Supreme Court issues a unanimous decision that says defendants convicted of first-degree murder on or after July 1, 1995, and sentenced to life in prison become eligible for release after serving a minimum of 51 years in prison. Their answer will inform the deliberations at the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Haslam says his team is still considering Brown's clemency petition. He expects to announce a decision before leaving office in January.
Cyntoia Brown clemency: Gov. Bill Haslam announces decision
