NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Cyntoia Brown has been behind bars since she was 16 years old, given a life sentence for murder. But Wednesday, she is set to walk free.
Former Gov. Bill Haslam granted clemency to Brown, saying she has rebuilt her life.
Preston Shipp prosecuted the Cyntoia Brown case -- a 16-year-old who killed a man while her attorneys say she was a victim of child sex trafficking.
Shipp was one of many who urged Haslam to grant Brown clemency, after discovering he had taught her in a class she was taking in prison.
Brown's clemency case got national attention after several celebrities mentioned it on social media.
Now Shipp hopes Brown's case may serve as just one example of a much bigger change.
"There's lots of other people just like Cyntoia brown, whose names we haven't gotten to know, because their names haven't been tweeted about by celebrities, but they're there and they're just as deserving of a second chance," Shipp said.
The family of Johnny Allen, the man killed by Brown, released the following statement regarding her release:
“We are at a loss for words. We feel like the judicial system has failed again for victims everywhere. This world is all about power and money and not what is important such as honesty and fairness for those that work hard and try to help others. We are very saddened about this event. Our hearts are broken because we feel like Johnny never got to defend himself. We never got to be a voice for him. Please keep us in your prayers.”
