Cyntoia Brown Apologizes To Family Of The Man She Killed, Offers To Speak With Them

BY Erika Marie 3.6K Views
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She was released from prison in August after serving 15 years behind bars.

The case of Cyntoia Brown is polarizing in pop culture. As a youth, her father wasn't in her life and her mother was a crack addict. She would be placed with a family who loved and provided for her, but her run-ins with the law landed her in the care of the Department of Children's Services. She ran away from the facilities she was left in and connected with nefarious characters on the streets. It was then, as a teenager, that she later met a man who became her pimp and reportedly repeatedly sexually assaulted her and forced her into sex trafficking. An incident in 2004 when she was 16-years-old would change her life forever.

In August of that year, she encountered 43-year-old Johnny Michael Allen in a Tennessee parking lot and within 24 hours, he would be dead. According to Cyntoia, she acted in self-defense when she shot him in the back of the head, but the system believed otherwise. She was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 51 years in prison. Over a decade later, Cyntoia's case was back in the limelight, and there was celebrity attention from people like Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, LeBron James, and Snoop Dogg who rallied behind the incarcerated young woman.

Cyntoia was granted a release this past August and has written an autobiography, Free Cyntoia, that chronicles her journey. Now 31-years-old and married to former Pretty Ricky member Jaime Long, Cyntoia is sharing her story with the world. She recently appeared on the Today show where she was told that the family of victim Johnny Michael Allen said of her release: “The judicial system has failed again for victims everywhere.”

Responding to the criticism, Cyntoia offered up an apology to the grieving family. "The way they feel is completely understandable, she said. "I don't think that we can tell someone how to feel when they've been through something like that. I completely understand. They've lost a loved one. I took that person from them. Of course, I would tell them that I apologize. If they would ever want an opportunity to speak with me, I'd be more than happy." Some have praised her for her reaction, while others couldn't possibly see the point of the victim's family sitting down with her. Check out her clip below.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.