
50 Cent and La La Anthony have teamed up with Starz to develop a limited series based on the story of Cyntoia Brown-Long, a woman whose life sentence for killing a man when she was 16 inspired a documentary and national support.
Titled The Case of Cyntoia Brown, the scripted series is based on Brown-Long’s book, Free Cyntoia: My Search for Redemption in the American Prison System. Similar to the book, the forthcoming project will detail how Brown-Long was sex-trafficked by a boyfriend, tried as an adult at 16 years old and sentenced to life in prison for aggravated robbery and first-degree murder.
The series will also highlight the fact that, despite being a minor, Brown-Long’s sentence required her to serve at least 51 years before being eligible for parole.
Thanks to the doc and national attention surrounding her case — including celebrity support by Anthony, LeBron James, Kim Kardashian West and Rihanna — Brown-Long was granted clemency and released in 2019.
Years after her release, Brown-Long still maintains that the 2004 killing was an act of self-defense. She now advocates for criminal justice reform and help for victims of trafficking. Her case also inspired the introduction of state legislation aimed at protecting minors who are victims of sex trafficking.
According to Starz, Brown-Long’s story was of special interest to executive-producer Anthony, who brought the project to 50 Cent.
The Case of Cyntoia Brown falls under 50’s overall deal with Starz through his G-Unit Film & Television, Inc. banner. Some of his other projects include the growing list of Power spinoffs and Black Mafia Family.
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