Jordan Brown was charged Saturday as an adult in the shooting death of 26-year-old Kenzie Marie Houk, who was 8 months pregnant, Lawrence County District Attorney John Bongivengo said at a news . Brown said this week from his western Pennsylvania home that he is studying computer science at a college in Ohio, but taking criminal justice classes with the idea that he might go to law school and pursue a career as a civil rights attorney. Both lawyers also discussed key details about Browns whereabouts. In an exclusive interview with 20/20, she told her own account of what happened that morning of Feb. 20, 2009, and some of it conflicts with the police timeline. In 2016, Brown was released from juvenile detention, but he and his defense team continued to argue his innocence. I didnt care. I'd, like, lose myself in the book. Jordan Brown was 11 years old when he was arrested in the 2009 New Beaver, Pennsylvania, killing of 26-year-old Kenzie Houk and her unborn child. Bongivengo said police found a spent shotgun shell in the yard. Lawsuit claims evidence fabricated in case of man exonerated in pregnant stepmothers murder Lawsuit claims evidence fabricated in case of man exonerated in pregnant stepmothers murder. That morning of Feb. 20, 2009, Jordan Brown said, was just a normal morning as he was getting ready for school. Jordans defense lawyers say her timeline means Jordan wasnt there when Houk was killed, but Martin, who worked the case, says after so many years he doesnt find Adalynns account credible. A former Lawrence County man is suing a handful of retired state police investigators and officials alleging malicious prosecution after he spent most of his childhood in prison for the shotgun killing of his fathers pregnant fiance before the state Supreme Court overturned his conviction. I have never expected to have the murder weapon to be a shotgun, Martin said. Jordan Brown is ruled . I just want to graduate college, you know, get a job in my major and, I dont know, just be successful, Jordan Brown said. But, with my years of interviewing people-- he was crying for her.. I remember when this all happened and just read up on everything that has happened since (I had an idea that he was out of prison, but had NO idea that his conviction was overturned based on insufficient evidence). >>PREVIOUS STORY: Jordan Browns father speaks out after sons murder conviction overturned. I guess the big question is whether the residue on the child speaks to being in the room, or if it speaks to pulling the trigger. This is final piece of the puzzle really providing him of his true feeling of innocent, closure put this behind me, Wright said. You can customize your WPXI News App to receive breaking news alerts. Pregnant Mother's Murder Leads Police to Arrest Her Step-Son Chris Brown and Kenzie Houk had been friends since they were teenagers. Aired on 05/06/1991 | CC tv-pg. I was just like, Hey mom, wake up. and when I turned her own, I realizedId come to the conclusion of what had happened. This is my first comment on Reddit. Naturally, I hugged her . You know, if something happened, tell me. The 5-0 supreme court ruling exonerated Brown of all charges, overturning earlier findings by a Lawrence County Juvenile Court Judge that were upheld by the states appellate court. Jade Townsend The case that took 44 years to be solved: Arlis Perry Fatim Hemraj Parents Make Shocking Discovery After 15-Year-Old Girl Sneaks Out to Meet a Strange Man Lioness Rue What Leads a. Yet we are supposed to believe that an 11 year old kid left no physical evidence while committing a murder and hiding evidence within a few minutes while his sister sits in the other room waiting for him. As for whether or not an 11 year old could commit this crime, I absolutely believe it is more than possible. WAMPUM, Pa. A lawsuit has been filed against four former troopers and a former Pennsylvania State Police commissioner for wrongfully convicting Jordan Brown, who was exonerated in the 2009 deaths of his fathers fiance and unborn child. It's almost inconceivable that you could suggest that a shotgun was fired at close range wouldn't deposit any tissue, any blood on the barrel of the gun or on his clothing, which he wore to school, Elisco said. Had to bc this case fascinates me and I was looking for a good discussion on here and this is literally the only one I can find. Police said she told them she saw Jordan moving his guns that morning. Judge Hodge adjudicated the now-15-year-old Jordan Brown to be delinquent (the juvenile court equivalent of a guilty verdict). In fact, police said, in his second interview, Jordan changed his description of the black truck and added that there was a person inside with a hat on, ducking down. The 25-year-old criminal was born in Pennsylvania, United States. We cannot get over the fact that Adam Harvey did not have the time to drive there and have the snow on his car, Martin said. I saw a gentleman in front of me that was crying, said Martin. Thanks! Later that night, as Chris and Jordan Brown were finally starting to nod off around 3:30 a.m., they were startled by a pounding on the door. Read that Supreme Court order and realize that this kid was done wrong., 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. [19], Last edited on 18 February 2023, at 18:45, "Court overturns then-11-year-old boy's conviction in Lawrence County killing", "Judge declares Jordan Brown guilty of murder", "Authorities: Jordan Brown Killed Father's Pregnant Girlfriend; 11-Year-Old Charged As Adult", "13-year-old US boy's murder trial could violate international law", "Boy accused in pregnant woman's death to be tried as a juvenile", "Lawyer Of Boy Accused Of Murder Fights To Have Him Tried In Juvenile System", "Court will hear Jordan Brown arguments at next session", "13-year-old murder suspect faces US court appeal", "Jordan Brown seeks release while awaiting court decision", "Media denied access to boy's juvenile case in '09 killing", "Judge: Pa. boy killed dad's pregnant fiance at 11", "Court rejects Pa. teen's appeal in '09 slaying; suspect now living in Ohio", "Jordan Brown exonerated of all charges in 2009 homicide", "PDF of 47 page decision, provided by WKBN News", "Supreme Court opinion cites insufficient evidence", "What happened after an 11-year-old boy was accused of murdering his pregnant soon-to-be stepmom", "What life is like today for man arrested at age 11 for pregnant future stepmom's death", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jordan_Brown_case&oldid=1140154229, Delinquent of first-degree murder and criminal homicide (acquitted), Held in juvenile rehabilitation until the age of 21, This page was last edited on 18 February 2023, at 18:45. It was a frigid day in Wampum, a small town in Western Pennsylvania. I lost it.. Even with the relationship they had, Adam was still in love with Kenzie. A never-ending shadow of shock and grief embarked upon the Brown family in February of 2009, after the lady of the house, Kenzie Marie Houk, was shot dead and their 11-year-old son, Jordan Brown, was held accountable for the murder. No question.. Wright says more than that, the evidence investigators gave to prosecutors was improperly gathered, mischaracterized or fabricated to support a theory that the then 11-year-old had committed the murder something he would have had to do and clean up without missing anything in the space of about 120 seconds. But that's why I told them.. It's more of a weapon of opportunity. Jordan Brown (right), seen here with his father Chris Brown (left), was released when he turned 18 in 2015. It was a whole different world. April 13, 2012. He has repeatedly stated in interviews that while he suffers from PTSD, he is committed to turning his life around. Houk, 26 and about eight months pregnant with Jordans little brother, was found dead in her bed by her 4-year-old daughter on Feb. 20, 2009. This is a really interesting case. It also mentions that he had a significant motive. I am from the area and so it was odd for me to see this case on the "unresolved" forum. According to a search warrant filed Friday, police found the gun outside the boys bedroom, along with a blue blanket with a hole the size of a quarter and burn marks. He was almost 21 when Pennsylvania's highest court said. As for his stepsisters testimony, she was 7, could very well have felt scared they were going to arrest her so she threw Jordan under the bus, not fully understanding what was going on. Jordan Brown mug shot AP Photo/Lawrence County Prison via Beaver County Times. Were ecstatic, we believe professionally and personally in Jordans innocence, Elisco told the station. A juvenile court judge later found Brown guilty of first-degree murder and homicide of an unborn child. Police say 23-year-old Jordan Brown was witnessed firing a handgun from inside a vehicle. Part of me wants to get into a line of work to help kids or just people in general to prevent the injustices before they happen or at least after they happen, trying to correct them., 2023 Trib Total Media | All Rights Reserved, Railroads urged to examine track detectors after Ohio crash, Historically mild February leaves Pittsburgh region with barely a trace of snow, EPA opens office near site of Ohio toxic train derailment, UPMC cites employment costs, pandemic as profits fell in 2022, Gas prices resume fall on worrisome inflation figures, analyst says, Low-calorie sweetener may increase risk of heart attack and stroke, study finds, Vento's Pizza, home of 'Franco's Italian Army,' to close, Heinz offers to buy boat for sailor who survived on ketchup while lost at sea, Pa. Chick-fil-A bans customers under 16 from dining in restaurant without adults, Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source. Owing in part to the discovery of a shotgun in the family home, near Wampum, as well as a shell casing outside and evidence of gunshot residue on his clothes, police zeroed in on 11-year-old Jordan. The tree trimmers saw Adalynn sometime after 9 a.m. that morning. I think has just ruined us [from] ever having closure and the person who did this, and for the person who actually did this to pay for it.". Directed by Kyle Saylors, the true crime story is based on 20 years of research by Simpson's former business associate and friend, Norman Pardo. [11] After those newspapers decided not to pursue their appeal further, Judge Hodge was directed by another panel of the Superior Court to move swiftly to hold an adjudication hearing. I was happy. Like he couldnt have parked nearby overnight watching the house then pull up when he went to kill her WITHOUT dusting off his car prior? Jordan Brown, who is attending college and studying computer science, is determined to leave his past behind. "[15][16] The last words of the opinion then ordered that "Appellant is discharged." [2][3] He was subsequently arrested. I didn't understand what was happening. Everything is gone. Alan's death devastated his family. I just want to be successful. People will believe what they want to believe, but Jordan was innocent. You know, it's just a truck, he told "20/20." 5 Theories Explain HowCayleeAnthony Really Died, pointed out the lack of an eyewitness or credible forensic evidence, Who Is Carolyn Bryant Donham? Police also confirmed he had been at work during the shooting, so they quickly eliminated him as a suspect. The Lawrence County District Attorney's Office initially filed the charges in adult court because that is required in Pennsylvania homicide cases, regardless of a defendant's age. Channel 11s Amy Marcinkiewicz reached out to Houks family. Convictions of first-degree murder against a father and stepmother who killed six-year-old Meika Jordan have been upheld by Canada's top court. And he told me everything was going to be all right, and I just sat there and cried.. WAMPUM, Pa. -- Jordan Brown was 11 years old when he was arrested and initially charged as an adult for the murder of his pregnant, soon-to-be stepmother. Boy who killed dad's pregnant fiancee to get juvenile review. Following three days of testimony and legal argument, Judge Hodge issued his ruling on April 13, 2012, that Brown was responsible for first degree murder in the death of 26-year-old Kenzie Houk and of homicide in the death of her unborn male child. Lawrence County Judge John Hodge found the now-14-year-old Jordan Brown delinquent, the juvenile . Houk's 4-year-old daughter alerted nearby tree cutters roughly 45 minutes after Jordan Brown and Houk's 7-year-old daughter got on a school bus. As for the shotgun shell casing police found near the driveway, Colafella said, On that property where they lived on a farm, there were shotgun shells all over the place. There was a small amount of gun residue on Jordan's jacket, explained by his lawyers as being from a hunt the boy had been on a few days prior. That this kid was done wrong., 24/7 coverage of breaking news alerts both lawyers also discussed key details Browns... To believe, but he and his defense team continued to argue his innocence is determined to leave his behind! Ordered that `` Appellant is discharged. is determined to leave his past behind saw Adalynn sometime after 9 that! Ap Photo/Lawrence County Prison via Beaver County Times in the yard am from area! Alan & # x27 ; s highest court said argue his innocence [! People -- he was almost 21 when Pennsylvania & # x27 ; s court. 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