Netflix’s recent true crime documentary Murder to Mercy: The Cyntoia Brown documentary follows the story of sex-traffic victim Cyntoia Brown-Long.
Cyntoia was sex-trafficked as a teen and subsequently convicted of murdering a man who had paid her for sex.
She was just 16 when she was sentenced to life in prison but in early 2019 was granted clemency after Kim Kardashian-West became involved in the case.
Brown-Long was 16 when she shot and killed Johnny Mitchell Allen, 43, who had paid to have sex with her.
In court, she pleaded self-defence but a jury found her guilty of first-degree murder, premeditated murder, first-degree felony murder and aggravated robbery, sentencing her to life in prison.
Cyntoia was sentenced aged 16 (Image: REUTERS)
She served her term at Tennessee Prison for Women – a maximum security jail in Nashville, Tennessee.
But how did Kim Kardashian-West play such a huge part in her release?
Keeping Up With The Kardashians star Kim, 39, got involved after a social media post about Cyntoia went viral on Twitter.
A photograph of Cyntoia in prison began doing the rounds on Twitter alongside a message which read: “Imagine at the age of 16 being sex-trafficked by a pimp named ‘Cut-Throat’.
Cyntoia was held at Tennessee Prison for Women (Image: SIPA USA/PA Images)
“After days of being repeatedly drugged and raped by different men you were purchased by a 43-year-old predator who took you to his home to use you for sex. You end up finding enough courage to fight back and shoot and kill him.”
It continued: “You’re arrested as [a] result tried and convicted as an adult and sentenced to life in prison.
“This is the story of Cyntoia Brown. She will be eligible for parole when she is 69 years old.”
Kim Kardashian-West took Cyntonia’s case to the White House and discussed it with President Trump (Image: Ron Sachs/CNP/AdMedia / SplashNews.com)
Kim who is currently training to be a lawyer, following in her dad’s footsteps tweeted on November 21st, 2017: “The system has failed. It’s heartbreaking 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.”
After discovering the case of Cyntoia, Kim ensured her personal attorney Shawn Holley worked on the case.
Cyntoia was released and granted clemency in 2019
Kim personally spoke to Donald Trump in the White House to discuss clemency as well as prison reform.
TMZ reported that Kim even called the District Attorney’s Office on behalf of Cyntoia.
Murder to Mercy: The Cyntoia Brown is available to stream on Netflix.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
