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.
In a statement released by her lawyers, Brown thanked
Haslam "for your act of mercy in giving me a second chance. I will do
everything I can to justify your faith in me."
"With
God's help, 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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