Cyntoia Denise Brown-Long (born January 29, 1988) ^[11] is a former child sex slave who was sentenced to life in prison for killing a real estate agent, Johnny Allen, who exploited her when she was 16 years old. ^{[1] [4]}

On Monday January 7, 2019, Governor Bill Haslam granted Brown a clemency. Brown-Long was released on August 7, 2019 but remain on parole until 2029. ^{[23] [22]}

Cyntoia Brown was born to Georgina Mitchell on January 29, 1988.

At the age of 2, Brown was given up for adoption. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

When Georgina became pregnant with Brown, she continued consuming alcohol which may have resulted in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

^{[4] [5]}

Georgina began using crack cocaine when Brown was eight months old, and Brown was given up to Ellenette Brown. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

Although Ellenette Brown provided a generally stable home, Brown had not had sufficient stability in her life for proper emotional development, and by 2004 had become a runaway. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

By the age of sixteen, Cyntoia's sexual encounters included many rapes, assaults during or before sex, and times when she was under the influence of drugs. ^[3][5][6]

Brown had a physically and sexually abusive pimp named "Kut-throat" or "Kut", who brandished handguns at her and forced her into prostitution.

She was picked up by a 43-year-old real estate agent, Johnny Allen, and taken to his house on August 6, 2004.

^[3][5][6]

Brown stated that for several weeks leading up to that day, she had been repeatedly raped and was on drugs.

When she arrived at Allen's house, she found several guns.

Brown said that she was afraid that she would be shot, which led her to shoot and kill Allen.

Sixteen-year-old Cyntoia Brown was then arrested for Allen's murder.

^[3][5][6]

During the trial, which took place in 2006, ^[21] prosecutors argued that her motive for killing Allen was robbery.

This was, in part, due to overwhelming evidence, but also video recorded admissions Brown made during her arrest.

Brown admitted to lying about her age when she first encountered Allen.

^[1][5][6]

While Allen slept, she left the room, found his gun collection, returned to the bedroom and shot him while he slept.

Prosecutors raised the point that Brown premeditated the murder, because the victim was asleep, she had an opportunity to leave and chose not to.

^[1] [5][6]

Brown later told investigators that Allen had reached for something and she feared for her life, but the forensic evidence didn't support it.

Evidence shows Allen was asleep when he was shot dead with a gunshot wound to the back of his head.^[1][5][6]

His hands were underneath his body and partially interlocked indicative of a person who is sleeping.

When Brown left Allen's house, she took his wallet, guns, and his car.^[1][5][6]

Brown was sentenced to 51 years to life for first degree murder. The prosecutor of the case had argued for life without parole by stating the importance of ensuring that dangerous and violent people are imprisoned, regardless of the circumstances that may have arisen to make them violent.^[1][5][6]

She is serving her sentence at the Tennessee Prison for Women.^[1][5][6]

She will be eligible for parole when she is 69 years old.

^[15]

On November 21, 2017, Brown's case has sparked renewed interest on social media.

Sources claim that, if Brown’s case were heard in 2017, she’d likely be tried as a sex trafficking victim and not an adult.

^[19]

The social media buzz started when Rihanna posted a captioned photo on Instagram that stated: ^[18]

After this initial post, several other celebrities took to social media to express their empathy and interest in re-opening Brown’s case.

Many of these posts have used the hashtag ***#***FreeCyntoiaBrown ** been shared by celebrities, including LeBron James, Snoop Dogg, Cara Delevingne, and Kim Kardashian. ^[19] Kardashian tweeted that she contacted her lawyers to see what can be done. ^{[16] [17]}

In on March 1, 2011, PBS premiered a documentary about Cyntoia Brown's story on their TV series Independent Lens

According to Birman, the project is derived from more than 130 hours of footage, collected over six years.

^[9]

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 will also be required to get a job. ^[23]