Gov. Bill Haslam grants full clemency to Cyntoia Brown, sets Aug. 7 release from prison

[moriah]

Source: The Tennessean

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.”

Read more: https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2019/01/07/cyntoia-brown-clemency-case-facts-story-bill-haslam/2267025002/

[IronLionZion]

1. Cyntoia Brown's full statement on her clemency

https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2019/01/07/cyntoia-brown-clemency-read-her-full-statement-gov-bill-haslam-decision/2502303002/

“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.

I want to thank those at the Tennessee Department of Corrections who saw something in me worth salvaging, especially Ms. Connie Seabrooks for allowing me to participate in the Lipscomb LIFE Program. It changed my life. I am also grateful to those at the Tennessee Department of Corrections who will work with me over the next several months to help me in the transition from prison to the free world.

Thank you to Dr. Richard Goode and Dr. Kate Watkins and all of you at Lipscomb University for opening up a whole new world for me. I have one course left to finish my Bachelor’s degree, which I will complete in May 2019.

I am thankful for all the support, prayers, and encouragement I have received. We truly serve a God of second chances and new beginnings. The Lord has held my hand this whole time and I would have never made it without Him. Let today be a testament to His Saving Grace.

Thank you to my family for being a backbone these past 14 years.

I am thankful to my lawyers and their staffs, and all the others who, for the last decade have freely given of their time and expertise to help me get to this day.

I love all of you and will be forever grateful.

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.

Thank you.”

[demmiblue]

2. K&R

[George II]

3. This is wonderful news, she shouldn't have served a single day, or a single hour.

[2naSalit]

5. +1

[iluvtennis]

6. +2

[robbob]

8. Not sure I can agree with that...

She shot a sleeping man in the back of the head. Now, if it had been that scumbag who was pimping her out, beating and raping her then I would agree 100%, but it was just a pathetic John who died because he picked the wrong girl to pay for sex with.

I don’t know your views on prostitution, but I don’t think it’s something you should get the death penalty for.

[Dr Rise]

4. YES!!!

[volstork]

7. Haslam finally gets one right.

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then...