By Angela Dennis and Patricia Williams
In a recent turn of events, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam granted clemency to sex-trafficked survivor Cyntoia Brown. Brown was 16-years old when sentenced as an adult and has served almost 15-years in a maximum security state prison.
Gov. Haslam responded to the thousands of pleas sent to his office from constituents, organizations, and organized citizens from across the state and the country in the form of letters, calls, and petitions decided to grant Brown conditional clemency. She will be released August 7, and have 10-years of monitored probation.
Locally, State Rep. Rick Staples (Dist. 15-Knoxville) supported Nashville’s newly elected State Rep. Brenda Gilmore and Black Lives Matter Nashville; along with national support from Rhianna, Kim Kardashian, and CNN Political Commentator Van Jones and countless others for Brown’s immediate release.
Cyntoia’s accomplishments, discipline, and behavior while imprisoned validate her supporters and the Governor’s decision to grant clemency. Brown has earned her GED, an Associate’s degree from Lipscomb College with a 4.0 GPA, and will complete a Bachelor’s degree this May. Brown also mentors fellow inmates incarcerated for like offenses.
The Governor designates the date of release and wants Brown to serve the full 15-years to the date that she was first arrested. Gov. Haslam’s conditional commute requires Brown to remain in prison until August 7, 2019; and will also be on monitored probation for 10 more years. Brown may be fully freed in 2029; absent any minor infractions.
“Joyous and just, those are the two words that come to mind when I think of the Governor’s announcement,” said State Representative Rick Staples (D-Knoxville Dist. 15) in a statement released. “I am overjoyed that Governor Haslam granted the much-needed clemency to this young woman. She has demonstrated to all that you can rebound from horrific life events. Ms. Brown got her GED and a degree from Lipscomb and serves as an inspiration and example to other young women who have had to endure similar tragedies. I want to thank my fellow Knoxville native Bill Haslam for showing the kind of compassion that exemplifies our state of Tennessee.”
Brown was born Cyntoia Denise Mitchell on January 29, 1988. Her mother was an addict before, during and after her pregnancy and chose to put her infant daughter up for adoption, and became Cyntoia Brown.
Years before becoming of age Brown fled her adopted home in search of a better life. In 2001, she was in-and-out of state custody and was a frequent runaway. On one of her flights, she met Garion L. “Gary” McGlothen aka Kutthroat who romanced her before forcing her into prostitution to support him.
As her pimp, Gary Kutthroat McGlothen, reportedly threatened, beat, and raped Brown on multiple occasions. Less than 8-months after Brown’s arrest Kutthroat was shot and killed on the streets of Nashville on March 30, 2005, He was 24 years old.
Brown was available for hire at a public location known for prostitutes. Johnny Michael Allen, a 43-year old real estate agent, purportedly picked her up, agreed to arrangements, purchased food for the both of them before taking her to his home.
In Brown’s 2004 murder trial Nashville police detective Charles Robinson testified that she told investigators she shot Allen because she feared for her life. In a letter dated December 12, 2017, Robinson urged Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam not to grant clemency to Brown. In the letter, Robinson commented: “First and foremost, Cyntoia Brown did not commit this murder because she was a child sex slave as her advocates would like you to believe. Cyntoia Brown’s motive for murdering Johnny Allen in his sleep was robbery.”
On January 29th, Brown will be 31-years old. She has served her youth and half of her life and birthdays in a maximum security state prison. For the first time, she will have an opportunity to make a positive contribution to society. Happy birthday, Cyntoia.
Editor’s note: There are no winners or losers when lives or loss or wasted. I offer condolence to the family of Johnny Michael Allen.