Now 30-years-old, Cyntoia Brown was convicted aged just 15 for the murder of a man who solicited her for sex. She was tried as an adult and found guilty. Now 15-years later, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has granted Ms Brown clemency.
What does clemency mean in law?
To be granted clemency means to be shown mercy or leniency and can only be granted by a public official, such as a governor or the president.
Those who grant it have the power to pardon, or reprieve or of commutation of a criminal sentence.
Ms Brown’s case drew support from celebrities like singer Rihanna, reality TV personality Kim Kardashian West, comedian Amy Schumer and NBA star LeBron James.
Her defence argued that she was a child sex-trafficking victim who fired in self-defence.
Ms Brown’s incarceration was the topic of a 2011 documentary titled Me Facing Life: Cyntoia’s Story.
In the documentary, she told of how she had been picked up by a 43-year-old estate agent, Johnny Allen in Nashville.
According to Ms Brown, Mr Allen had agreed to pay her $150 to have sex and took her to his house.
However, once there Ms Brown reported that he roughly groped her and rolled over to reach the side of the bed.
She feared he was reaching for a gun so she shot him.
The prosecution alleged that Ms Brown had been motivated by greed, shooting Mr Allen as he slept to steal his guns, money and lorry before fleeing his home.
However, her defence argued she was scared of returning to her violent pimp – nicknamed Kutthroat – without her payment.
In a statement on Monday, the state’s Republican governor said he had ordered that Ms Brown be released to parole supervision on August 7 this year.
The statement read: “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.”
Nashville Mayor David Briley called the decision to release Ms Brown a “great day for social justice and our city”.
Ms Brown, who has studied to acheive an associate degree during her time in prison, said she would do everything to extend Governor Haslam’s belief in her.
“I am thankful for all the support, prayers and encouragement I have received,” she said in a statement.
“We truly serve a God of second chances and new beginnings.
“The Lord has held my hand this whole time and I would never have made it without Him.”
Ms Brown will be eligible for release on August 7, 2019, after 15-years in jail.