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Crime

Sometime in 2008, 15-year-old Tiana Browne moved into the Brooklyn apartment of Marva Braithwaite and her 16-year-old daughter Shannon.

On September 30th, 2008, Brown and Shannon reportedly argued while Marva was out.

Brown stabbed Shannon 49 times, killing her. Then, she spelled out the name Yusef on the refrigerator using magnets. After that, she grabbed clothes and a camera, took Shannon’s shoes off, and fled the scene.

After Browne was away from the home, she called 911, pretended to be distraught, and told the operator that Shannon was stabbed by a man named Yusef.

The police didn’t fall for her misdirection. She was arrested soon after the crime and charged with second-degree murder.

Legal Proceedings

Her first trial ended in a mistrial. At her second trial, Browne’s defense team attempted to help her evade punishment by arguing insanity. They claimed she had been violated several times since 2006, which led to changes in her behavior and personality.

Her grandmother told the jury she tried to get her granddaughter psychiatric help, but was turned away because medical personnel didn’t think Browne was a danger to herself or others.

A psych expert testified that Browne told him that Shannon threatened her with a bat, so she went and got a knife. The doctor claimed she associated the threat with past incidents of abuse.

The jury didn’t buy it, and she was convicted of second-degree murder.

At her sentencing, the victim’s mother forgave Browne, saying, “There is no anger or bitterness in my heart.”

Browne was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.

She was released from custody in March 2023.