Cyntoia Brown is making headlines again 13 years after she was sentenced to life in prison at age 16 for killing the man who picked her up for sex. There have been no significant changes in the case, but celebrities have renewed interest in it this week after posting about it on social media.
Brown, who is now 29, is serving a life sentence in Tennessee for killing 43-year-old Johnny Mitchell Allen after he solicited her for sex. While she was convicted of first-degree murder as an adult, her attorneys believe she is a victim of sex trafficking and that she acted in self-defense. So do her advocates.
Rihanna took to Instagram Tuesday to share her story. Lebron James, Snoop Dogg, T.I. and others soon followed.
The posted read, “Imagine at the age of 16 being sex-trafficked by a pimp named ‘cut-throat’... After days of being repeatedly drugged and raped by different men you were purchased by a 43 year old child predator...You end up finding enough courage to fight back and shoot and kill him...This is the story of Cyntoia Brown. She will be eligible parole when she is 69 years old. #FreeCyntoniaBrown.”
Kim Kardashian West chimed in as well, revealing that she contacted her lawyers for help.
The system has failed. It’s heart breaking to see a young girl sex trafficked then when she has the courage to fight back is jailed for life! We have to do better & do what’s right. I’ve called my attorneys yesterday to see what can be done to fix this. #FreeCyntoiaBrown pic.twitter.com/73y26mLp7u
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) November 21, 2017
In 2011, a PBS documentary about Brown's case titled "Me Facing Life: Cyntoia's Story" premiered. The flick detailed her life of teen prostitution, which she was forced into, and the day of the fatal shooting of Allen. She shot him after she thought he was reaching for a gun.
Many news outlets suspect a recent airing of the movie has casted the controversial case back into the spotlight, and now it is garnering much attention across social media with the hashtag #FreeCyntoiaBrown.
How you can help #FreeCyntoiaBrown:
— Gicola A. Lane (@GicolaLane) November 22, 2017
Write a letter to the following:
The Honorable Bill Haslam
Governor of Tennessee
State Capitol, 1st Floor
600 Charlotte Ave
Nashville, TN 37243
Be SURE to request CLEMENCY.
I have provided an example. Thank you! pic.twitter.com/2DGSJe4RJo
Cytoia Brown in 2004 received life in prison for killing a white man who abducted her and raped her day in & out. When President Obama wanted to reform the justice system in US he was blocked by white congress and Senate. #FreeCyntoiaBrown pic.twitter.com/htNckQd8CD
— Not Adv Ngcukaitobi (@AdvNgcukaitobi) November 23, 2017
So many of us are late to the fight to #FreeCyntoiaBrown. Please take a moment to learn about what's already happening before doing your own thing.
— Charlene Carruthers (@CharleneCac) November 23, 2017
I need that same energy🗣🗣🗣🗣 #FreeCyntoiaBrown pic.twitter.com/flrBqepGEW
— Tiffany (@beingtiffanyb) November 22, 2017
If you are a sex trafficked teenager who finds herself in a position to kill the paedophile enslaving you, you better
— Katherine Ryan (@Kathbum) November 22, 2017
TAKE.
THAT.
SHOT.#FreeCyntoiaBrownِ
»RELATED: More than 1,000 arrested in sex trafficking sting