This is one of the most unfair and heartbreaking cases that I have ever heard of or come across. It moves me to tears. I know that this is not the first time that she has been written of here, nor will it be the best. However, this is buried deep into my heart and soul and it has to come out. I apologize for writing about Cyntoia Brown when I am not the first, but the more people that become aware of this, the bettter. If you are not familiar with her story, prepare to have your heart broken.
From the word go, she was at a disadvantage.
At the age of 16, she was sold as a sex-slave to a 43-year-old Nashville realtor—Johnny Mitchell Allan. She was subjected to more abuse by Allan, and in a documentary about her life, she described the abuse and how it made her paranoid
In 2004, she was tried as an adult for killing Allen. She said she shot him because she feared he was going to kill her. During the trial, she said there was always a gun pointed on her during her captivity. She said she was hit, choked and dragged. She feared for her own life, and she acted out of that fear.
She was tried as an adult and sentenced to 51 years. Then there was hope at a clemency hearing. Two judges voted for clemency, two against clemency and the other two voted to keep the 51 year sentence in place. It was challenged on the basis of a minor not being able to be sentenced to life without parole. However, the Tennessee Supreme Court unanimously ruled that she would have to serve all 51 years before she would be able to be released.
Now this is insane. I cannot figure out how she was found guilty in the first place. Given what she had endured and the presence of the gun and the effect of her experience upon her mind, how could they not find that she was only defending herself or that at the time of the event, she was not well. Then they decided to try and sentence her as an adult. 51 years ? This cannot possibly be justified. Her case has been appealed to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
This is so wrong, so unfair, her entire life up to this point has been incredibly cruel, she finally frees herself from it in the only way possible and this is the outcome. And if she were white, does anybody believe that this would have happened in Tennessee ? I strongly believe that if she were white, she would be free now.
I have no more words. Only tears.