It has been a long and trying journey for Cyntoia Brown, but justice has finally been served! Yesterday, the governor of Tennessee granted Brown clemency. “Cyntoia Brown committed, by her own admission, a horrific crime at the age of 16”, Haslam said in a statement to the Tennessean. “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 the light of the extraordinary steps Ms. Brown has taken to rebuild her life.”Brown, 30, has been in jail since she was 16 years old, convicted of murder after killing her sex trafficker while he laid next to her.Brown is scheduled to be released on August 7th. She will also have to attend regular counseling sessions and perform 50 hours of community service. Brown will remain on parole for 10 years and is required to find a job.Brown also released a statement of her own. “I am thankful for all the support, prayers and encouragement I have received. We truly serve a God of second chance and new beginnings. With God’s help, I am committed to living 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.”Congratulations to Cyntoia Brown!
