Cyntoia Brown

Vindication and compensation remain elusive for Tennessee’s wrongly convicted, in part because of the state’s parole board.

Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Mar 29, 2019

Sentenced To Life At 16 In Slaying Of Man Who She Said Pulled A Gun On Her

In 1996, Michele Benjamin was sentenced to life without parole for killing a man who she said solicited her for sex and menaced her with a weapon in New Orleans. A Supreme Court decision led her to be re-sentenced to life with a chance at parole in 2016. Today, a parole hearing brings the possibility of freedom.

Josie Duffy Rice Feb 11, 2019

If Cyntoia Brown Can Be Released from Prison, Why Not Trafficking Survivor Alexis Martin?

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam just granted clemency to Brown, who was forced to trade sex for money, but Ohio’s governor declined this week to do the same for Martin.

Melissa Gira Grant Jan 11, 2019

New Orleans Woman Sentenced to Life In Prison For Killing Abusive Husband Is Granted New Trial

Catina Curley suffered physical abuse at the hands of her husband for more than a decade. When she turned a revolver on him, she was charged with murder and sentenced to life. Now, thanks to a court ruling, she has a chance at freedom.

Josie Duffy Rice Jul 27, 2018

Cyntoia Brown and the Years Lost by Juvenile Lifers

In The Princess Bride, Prince Humperdinck has Wesley strapped to a device known as The Machine, which has a lever that can be raised from 1 to 50. When the lever is turned to 1, the machine sucks away one year of the victim’s life, with each tick of the lever corresponding to another year taken away. […]

Colin Miller Jan 29, 2018

Not A Cardboard Cutout: Cyntoia Brown and the Framing of a Victim

The evening of August 6th, 2004, 16-year old Cyntoia Brown shot and killed Johnny Allen, a 43-year-old Nashville resident who picked her up for sex. It was an act of self defense, she explained to police later; after Allen took her to his house, he showed Cyntoia multiple guns, including shotguns and rifles. Later in bed, as she described in court, he grabbed her violently by the genitals, his demeanor became threatening and, fearing for her life, she took a gun out of her purse and shot him.

Brit Schulte, Mariame Kaba Dec 06, 2017

Cyntoia Brown Case Reveals Entrenched Problems with Tennessee Juvenile Justice

State law makes it easier to throw Brown away than consider traumas youth face and offer them hope of rehabilitation.

Demetria D. Frank Dec 01, 2017

More in The Appeal

D.C. Can’t Dismiss Lawsuit Over Police Response to Mental Health Crises

sign at a protest of Maryland's Office of the chief medical examiner

How Deep is the Scandal at Maryland’s Medical Examiner Office?

Timothy Jones (left) stands in a white tuxedo next to a friend.

A Chicago Cop Killed Someone in a Car Accident. They Blamed a 20-Year-Old Instead.

Central California Women's Facility

California Investigates Attack by Guards at Scandal-Plagued Women’s Prison

Exposing the harms of the criminal legal system and elevating solutions that keep all people safe.

Copyright © 2024 The Appeal