After spending 15 years in prison, Cyntoia Brown will be released to parole supervision on August 7.
WKRN reports, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has granted her clemency after waves of support online.
Brown was sentenced to prison for murder in 2004. She was 16 years old at the time, and her lawyer claims it was self-defense. Brown was a victim of sex-trafficking and child prostitution.
“Cyntoia Brown committed, by her own admission, a horrific crime at the age of 16. 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,” Haslam said.
While she's been in prison Brown earned her associate degree with a 4.0 GPA. She is also expected to earn her bachelor's degree later this year.
