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Page 10 The Skanner Portland & Seattle January 9, 2019 News Woman Sentenced to Life as Teen in Killing Wins Clemency Cyntoia Brown, convicted of killing a man as a teen sex trafficking victim, was granted clemency Monday NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A woman who says she was a 16-year-old sex trafficking victim when she killed a man in 2004 was granted clemency Monday by Tennessee’s governor and soon will be released from prison. Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam granted clemen- cy to Cyntoia Brown, who had been serving a life sentence but who will be released on parole on Aug. 7 — exactly 15 years from the date she was first arrested. “Cyntoia Brown com- mitted, by her own ad- mission, a horrific crime at the age of 16. Yet, im- posing a life sentence on a juvenile that would require her to serve at least 51 years before even being eligible for parole consideration is too harsh, especially in light of the extraordi- nary steps Ms. Brown has taken to rebuild her life,” Haslam said in his statement. LACY ATKINS /THE TENNESSEAN VIA AP, POOL, FILE By Kimberlee Kruesi Associated Press This May 23, 2018, file photo shows Cyntoia Brown, entering her clemency hearing at Tennessee Prison for Women in Nashville, Tenn. Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam on Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, granted executive clemency to Brown, serving a life sentence for murder who says she was a victim of sex trafficking. The outgoing Republican governor, whose term ends in just two weeks, chose to show mercy to the now 30-year-old Brown by releasing her Aug. 7. Brown, 30, will remain on parole supervision for 10 years on the condi- tion she does not violate any state or federal laws, holds a job, and partici- pates in regular counsel- ing sessions. Brown’s case has at- tracted national atten- tion from criminal jus- tice reform advocates, and the attention amped up as Haslam’s second and final term entered its final weeks. While law enforcement officials had opposed clemency - arguing Brown was not justified in killing Allen - celebrities like Kim Kar- dashian West and singer Rihanna spoke out for Brown. The governor’s office was inundated with thousands of phone calls and emails from supporters. “Thank you Governor Haslam,” Kardashian West tweeted soon after news of the clemency decision broke, which was followed by similar high-profile responses from former Georgia Democratic guberna- torial candidate Stacey Abrams, actresses Alyssa Milano and Viola Davis. Brown was convicted in 2006 of murdering 43-year-old Nashville real estate agent Johnny Allen two years be- fore. Police said she shot Allen in the back of the head at close range with a loaded gun she brought to rob him after he picked her up at a drive-in theater in Nashville to have sex with her. However, according to her lawyers, Brown was a victim of sex trafficking who not only feared for her life but also lacked the mental state to be cul- pable in the slaying be- cause she was impaired by her mother’s alcohol use while she was in the womb. Brown expressed thanks in a statement released Monday by her legal team. “I am thankful for all the support, prayers, and encouragement I have received. We truly serve a God of second chanc- es and new beginnings. The Lord has held my hand this whole time and I would have never made it without him,” Brown said. “Let today be a testa- ment to his saving grace.” The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled against life-without-parole sen- tences for juveniles. However, the state of Tennessee argued suc- cessfully in lower courts that it was not in viola- tion of federal law be- cause Brown did have a possibility for parole: She was sentenced to serve at least 51 years of her life sentence. Read the rest of this story at TheSkanner.com In Loving Memory – B. Sherell Byrd Sunrise – February 10, 1969, Sunset – November 13, 2018 back to school Sherell was in 2016 to Ma- born February comb Commu- 10, 1969 in Port- nity College. land, Oregon to She earned Faye Lawson. an Associate She attended Degree and Irvington and was only a few Bin Meade classes away Grade Schools from a degree and then Mad- B. Sherell Byrd in Social Ser- ison and Jeffer- son High Schools. She vices. Her future plans graduated from Jeffer- were to start a home- son High School in 1987 less shelter. Sherell was and went to Portland a member of Citadel of Community College for Faith Church. She leaves two years. Sherell was to mourn two sons, Jarell raised in the church X. Rushing, Dominique where she accepted Je- J. Byrd, and a daugh- sus Christ at 17 years old. ter, Frejai A. Byrd. She She got her first job at 16 also leaves behind her years old at Kaiser Per- grandchildren Zaveon, manente during their Brooklyn, and Harlem. Summer Job Program. She also leaves to mourn After high school, she her mother Faye Lawson, was employed by Ore- several aunts, uncles, gon Health Sciences Uni- cousins, and friends. We will miss you: Mom, versity (OHSU), Wells Fargo, Meier & Frank Ma, Miss Sherell, grand- Co., and Nordstrom. She ma, Bella, Rell, Bam, Rella was the mother of three Bella, Pudd’n and Bam- children. She married Bam. You are gone from De Shawn Byrd in 1994 us too soon. We know and moved to Fort Lewis, you could not stay. You Washington. The family fought a good fight. You later moved to Michi- kept the faith. You have gan. Sherell worked for finished the race now AAA insurance and then you are in perfect peace. worked for the United Thank you God for shar- States Postal Service un- ing Sherell with us. The til her death. She loved family is grateful for all to travel, work out, go the prayers, hugs, calls, shopping, pamper her- cards, and gifts. Repast will be held at self, listen to music, paint to relax, and eat at fancy 4909 Queen Dr. Sterling restaurants. Sherell went Heights MI 48310 A career you can be proud of. Being a carpenter isn’t just a job. It’s a way of life. We’re devoted to strengthening the lives of our members with steady work, wealth and personal growth. We take a stand for our members and all workers. We work together to lead the building industry in safety, training and compensation. We create rich lives for our members and partners. To learn more about becoming a union carpenter, go to NWCarpenters.org. PORTLAND: 1636 East Burnside, Portland, OR 97214 | 503.261.1862 HEADQUARTERS: 25120 Pacific Hwy S, #200, Kent, WA 98032 | 253.954.8800 NWCarpenters.org More than 20,000 members in the Pacific Northwest.