racist or sexually-oriented language. AsABC Newsreports, Jordan was confused and unaccompanied as he was taken to the county jail. They say they remember that. First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. The Houks and police point to overwhelming evidence they say will prove that Jordan is the killer, including gun residue found on his shirt, a fresh shell casting found outside as well as the testimony of Houk's 7-year-old daughter who says she saw Jordan with the gun. Use the 'Report' link on Chris was running late for work and though his eight-months pregnant fiancee asked him to stay home, he decided that he should go into the office anyway. Brown is being held at the Lawrence County Jail, in a cell Ignatz said the police investigating the slaying came from Troop D which covers Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence and Mercer counties. Be Nice. isolated from the adult inmates, and Elisco has said he will seek Their court filing states Janessa was present the entire time Jordan was at the home that morning. The 26-year-old Houk and her unborn baby died Feb. 20, 2009, when she was shot in the New Beaver Borough farmhouse she shared with her daughters, her fianc, Chris Brown, and his son Jordan, then 11. But everything changed on the morning of February 20, 2009. You have permission to edit this article. At eight months pregnant, the 26-year-old mother of two was sleeping in the Wampum, Pennsylvania, home she shared with them, her new fianc Chris Brown, and his son Jordan Brown, when she was shot right in the back of the head. Bones found in Taylor Township identified as Story, Pa. state senators urge Biden to restart Keysto, Successes despite setbacks veteran and New Ca, Larry Pugh discusses Black history during library event, Live stream: Jordan Brown news conference, Our view | Disorder in the court: Nine years far too long to decide homicide case, Jordan Brown released, but case remains under appeal, Dollar General plans new Neshannock store, Column by Ron Poniewasz Jr.: WPIAL doesn't disappoint with questionable playoff venues, Two charged in gunfire while driving incident, Man charged for being inside condemned house, County WPIAL teams bidding for berth in state title tilt, Amish buggy crash victim described as good neighbor, Woman accused of stabbing man with scissors, New Castle school administrators getting raises, ROBISON, Linda May 19, 1951 - Mar 1, 2023, MARCEAU JR., William Jul 29, 1956 - Feb 27, 2023, SNIDER, Steven Jun 10, 1983 - Jan 25, 2023. dangers of a gun.". In the environment that he's in, a child like that is going to break down and his story has not changed from day one. Because original statements by Janessa had the effect of clearing Jordan, while it was only a later one that implicated him, the defense says it needs access to more recent information she may have offered to authorities. Don't Threaten. Low 39F. More. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. person will not be tolerated. He also didnt seem to know where Kenzie lived. Family and friends gathered at the grave Thursday the fifth anniversary followed by a meal at the family home. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism "It's been at least two months that he's made the threats," He said Saturday the two girls are with their maternal grandmother. The graves are decorated for holidays and special occasions, including Kenzies April 20 birthday and the anniversary of her death. After all, she already had two daughters from a previous relationship 7-year-old Jenessa and 4-year-old Adalynn. Pregnant woman's mom: 11-year-old made threats, In this undated photo released by the Houk family shows Kenzie Marie Houk with her daughters Jenessa, left, and Adalynn in Wampum, Pa.. Eleven-year-old Jordan Brown is charged in the shooting death of the 26-year-old pregnant mother of two. An appeal of the Superior Court ruling will be argued before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court next month. Cloudy skies after midnight. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism I hope they will not forget her. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. As CNN reports, both Houk and her unborn baby had been killed by a 20-gauge shotgun bullet to the back of the head. Chance of rain 60%. Lamancusa revealed he had provided unspecified legal advice to Jordans father, Christopher Brown. In July 2018, Jordan Brown was set free. Its a shame that hes received no help whatsoever.. She first said she didn't see anything unusual with Jordan that morning, but by the fourth interview, Jenessa claimed she saw Jordan moving around his shotgun the morning her mom died. Facebook gives people the power to. After all the interviews, police claimed that Jordan had shot his future stepmother, walked out the door, dropped a shotgun shell on the ground, and then hopped on the school bus with his Jenessa (via ABC News). Kenzie in the head and pop both kids. Browns lawyers appealed the conviction, which resulted in an overturning by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. We were encouraged to enroll her in a program where she could compete and be trained by international coaches. Yet they said that after Janessa went to live with her mothers family, she provided a third statement to authorities. By that point, Jenessa had changed her story. (AP Photo/Thhe Houk Family). Flick: The original Jake? Chance of rain 60%. I dont want pity, but sometimes I get so angry.. Her statement was very credible. We lost a daughter and a grandchild. She first said she didn't see anything unusual with. God bless those khakis! However, that determination by Lawrence County Judge John W. Hodge has been overturned by the Pennsylvania Superior Court and the case was ordered back to the county. Jordan Brown's lawyers seek witness statements, Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. But when she was. We But he had been at work during the shooting, so he couldnt have done it. "He's an average 12-year-old," said Jordan's father Chris Brown. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Jordan Brown, who was 11 at the time, is charged with shooting a pregnant Houk as she lay on her bed Feb. 20. Jordan assured them that he hadnt touched any gun that morning, but the smell of gunpowder and the youth model shotgun in the home told a different story. On July 1, 2020 Jordan Brown and his father filed a lawsuit against retired state police investigators and officials seeking personal damages, but neither have made a single attempt in seeking justice for Kenzie Houk and their unborn son. I've talked to him numerous times in depth about what happened and if he knew anything about it, if he was involved, he would have told me by now," Brown said. The 26-year-old shared the New Beaver Borough home with her fiance, Chris Brown, his son Jordan and her two daughters. The worker quickly called 911 and waited for Pennsylvania State Police to arrive. The broken-hearted father of Jordan Brown is rebuilding his life while remaining strong for his son. 7-year-old daughter saw him; they believe he then hid the gun in a A 20-gauge shot gun shell casing was found next to the familys driveway. Low 39F. Share with Us. The following years saw Jordan Brown fighting for his freedom and reading the fantasy books his father brought for him. Rain earlythen remaining cloudy with showers overnight. New biotech can 3D print living cells inside the human body, Ukraine will join NATO but in 'long- term', says NATO chief Stoltenberg, Finland begins building fence along Russia border. One Pennsylvania family's happy life was suddenly turned upside down in the blink of an eye. They had a warrant for 11-year-old Jordans arrest. After being found responsible for the deaths on April 13, 2012, Jordan was sent first to a juvenile facility in Chambersburg, then to George Junior Republic in Grove City. Be Proactive. David H. Acker and Dennis A. Elisco, Jordans attorneys, describe Janessa as perhaps the most critical witness in this case. Due to tough-on-crime laws, Pennsylvania has more juveniles sentenced to life in prison without parole than any other state. Before the murder, there were multiple accounts of Houk being uncomfortable and tormented by Brown. It wasn't that Kenzie was worried about the pregnancy, she was ready to have the baby and had plenty of practice being a mom. Our story begins during that pregnancy, on a chilly February morning. This includes photographs, references to or the identities of the minor. It is not possible that it could have been anyone else.. A motion filed in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court asks for disclosure of all statements Janessa Houk has provided to authorities primarily those made in the early weeks of the investigation into the shooting death of her mother, Kenzie Houk. Police said what really turned the case for them were additional interviews they conducted with Jenessa and Jordan the night of the murders. At around 9 a.m., some tree trimmers arrived to do some work around the house. An 11-year-old Pennsylvania boy blew away his father's eight-months-pregnant fiance - then calmly got on the bus and went to school, police and. Home. Before leaving office this week, John Bongivengo, the former district attorney, opposed the motion. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. In the suit, Houk asked that all reference to Adalynn Houk, 7, and Jenessa Houk, 11, be removed from the website. More than two years after he was charged, the now-13-year-old was moved out of adult and back to juvenile court. Attorney Dennis A. Elisco, who is representing Jordan, confirmed Christopher Brown was the father of Houks baby. Be Proactive. "Not only that, but keep in mind, [he was] 11 years old when this happened, now 12. And the murder weapon appeared to be Jordan Brown's child-sized gun. lot when his Dad wasn't around.". He pointed out there was no forced entry, no sign of a struggle and no money missing. But eventually, he noted, the 7-year-old implicated him. If convicted, he could become the youngest person in U.S. history to be sentenced to life in prison without parole. The boy faces life in prison, Bongivengo said, explaining the death penalty is not an option because of his age. His ability to overcome adversity thats been thrown at him in life is astonishing. In this undated photo released by the Houk family, shows Kenzie Marie Houk with her daughters Jenessa, left, and Adalynn in Wampum, Pa.. Eleven-year-old Jordan Brown is charged in the shooting death of the 26-year-old pregnant mother of two. Watch. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. ", Jordan was denied the chance to stay in a juvenile facility where he would be released by the age of 21 as requested by his lawyers. But police said that Jordan later changed his story, adding additional details about a man inside the truck. "I wake up in the middle of the night and think I'm going to have an anxiety attack knowing that I'm never seeing her again. I am seeking justice for Kenzie Marie Houk, her unborn son, Christopher, and their loved ones. Low 39F. This includes photographs, references to or the identities of the minor children. A child's brain isn't fully developed -- especially in area that controls decision making, risk taking and impulse control, according to Steinberg, whose research influenced a Supreme Court case banning the death penalty for juveniles in 2005. He called the situation tragic in every sense of the word.. The boy's attorney, Dennis Elisco, did not immediately return a However she was at the courthouse that day, they said, where she was interviewed by members of the district attorneys office and possibly members of the Pennsylvania state police prior to the hearing. Hes insightful, hes intellectual, hes introspective. Lawrence County District. Kenzie Houk's younger daughter Adalynn describes finding her mom dead . Pa. state senators urge Biden to restart Keysto, Successes despite setbacks veteran and New Ca, Larry Pugh discusses Black history during library event, Anderson, Boice lead New Castle to WPIAL champi, Jordan Brown Case, Five Years Later: Family gathers at cemetery, again, Jordan Brown Case, Five Years Later: Reluctant to comment, prosecutor remains ready, Jordan Brown, Five Years Later: Slaying shocks community; case drags on, Jordan Brown, Five Years Later: What happened and when, Jordan Brown Case, Five Years Later: Defense attorney learns to expect the unexpected, Jordan Brown Case, Five Years Later: Father convinced beyond a doubt of sons innocence, Our Opinion: After five years, Jordan Brown case continues sadly for all, Dollar General plans new Neshannock store, Column by Ron Poniewasz Jr.: WPIAL doesn't disappoint with questionable playoff venues, Two charged in gunfire while driving incident, Man charged for being inside condemned house, County WPIAL teams bidding for berth in state title tilt, Amish buggy crash victim described as good neighbor, Woman accused of stabbing man with scissors, New Castle school administrators getting raises, ROBISON, Linda May 19, 1951 - Mar 1, 2023, MARCEAU JR., William Jul 29, 1956 - Feb 27, 2023, SNIDER, Steven Jun 10, 1983 - Jan 25, 2023. Shows. At the same time, officers had been dispatched to Mohawk Elementary School to speak to Janessa and Jordan. Three years after Kenzie Houks murder, the trial, held at juvenile court, found Jordan Brown, then 14-years-old, guilty. My family has been hurt so much and for so long. Chance of rain 60%.. Jordan has always maintained that he was innocent of Houk's killing, but with Houk's family and the police working against him, the fifth-grader was stuck in the juvenile detention system. She said she also wishes things had gone differently between her family and Jordans father. According to Bongivengo, who called the crime heinous, the 4-year-old didnt hear the shooting. Still even working on the idea that Jordan was jealous of his new baby brother, all of this might not be enough to charge him with the crime. Ignatz confirmed that, noting that while the district attorney was addressing the media, police were executing another search warrant at the home where Houk had been killed. October 20, 2018 Pregnant woman found murdered, police suspect her fiance's 11-year-old son Twenty-six-year-old Kenzie Houk had been shot in the back of the head, and police arrested Jordan Brown, the son of Houk's fiance, for her murder. As per the last reports, the 24-year-old currently resides in Ohio, studying computer science and criminal justice. "The case is obviously not over," said Elisco. On Monday, Jason Kraner, Kenzie's brother-in-law, told several The bus driver testified that neither child appeared to behave strangely. Your IP: Share with Us. Explore. Adalynn, who loves to read, is enrolled in gymnastics and this year began learning basketball fundamentals. 20 A pregnant Kenzie Marie Houk, 26, is killed in the New Beaver Borough farmhouse she shared with her daughters Jenessa, 7, and Adalynn, 4 her fianc, Chris Brown, and . Bongivengo described Houks older daughter who will be 8 next month as the main witness. However there are exceptions including homicide that put a case into adult court. Attorneys for a 12-year-old boy charged with homicide are seeking information regarding a key witness. Jordan Brown Case, Five Years Later: Victims family coming along, Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. We didn't believe it. The family was interviewed immediately after Houk's death. Police determined that Houk was killed with a single shot in the back of the head with a youth model shot gun. Don't Threaten. Although he said Saturday he did not know who the gun belongs to, Bongivengo noted it was retrieved from Jordans bedroom and is most likely his weapon.. Chance of rain 60%.. They are now 12 and 9, respectively. Looking back, I wish we had. But for Jordan Brown, the nightmare was just beginning. "When we interview someone, you expect them to give their account, wait a little while, we interview them again, and they should give the same account. It was in that downstairs bedroom that Kenzie had been sleeping in that morning, simply because it was easier. "Worse thing is losing your daughter," said Houk's mother Debbie Houk. As for Jordan, he seemed to have no idea what was happening. Elisco arrived at the state police station before the press conference had ended, in search of the district attorney. Its not unusual for newspapers to look back on major news events when key anniversaries come about. Hes remarkable, Alec Wright, one of Jordans lawyers, candidly stated. It hurts.". Pietrandrea said Houks request is reasonable. Not only that, but Janessa recalled waiting in the living room for Jordan when she heard a big boom echo through the house. The girls are the children of Houks daughter, Kenzie Marie Houk, who died Feb. 20, 2009. Bones found in Taylor Township identified as Story, Pa. state senators urge Biden to restart Keysto, Successes despite setbacks veteran and New Ca, Larry Pugh discusses Black history during library event, Dollar General plans new Neshannock store, Column by Ron Poniewasz Jr.: WPIAL doesn't disappoint with questionable playoff venues, Two charged in gunfire while driving incident, Man charged for being inside condemned house, County WPIAL teams bidding for berth in state title tilt, Amish buggy crash victim described as good neighbor, Woman accused of stabbing man with scissors, New Castle school administrators getting raises, ROBISON, Linda May 19, 1951 - Mar 1, 2023, MARCEAU JR., William Jul 29, 1956 - Feb 27, 2023, SNIDER, Steven Jun 10, 1983 - Jan 25, 2023. Later though, Jordan recalled seeing a black truck near the garage. Winds light and variable. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, 11-year-old boy who was about to become her stepson. He said the two were removed from school by state police after officers had learned of Houks death. She anticipates adding volleyball and track this year. Although law enforcement officials are not allowed to release the names of juveniles charged with a crime, the state police made Jordans name public because he has been charged as an adult. Authorities ruled her death a homicide. Attorney Dennis Elisco said the evidence that will come out in trial will show that Jordan did not commit this crime. Thats, like, the only thing I really want people to know.. Be Truthful. In it, the girl said she had heard a shotgun blast before she and Jordan had left the house to catch a school bus. She even had a stepson through Chris in the form of his 11-year-old son Jordan. "So he knew what a gun did. Especially with the media frenzy surrounding the case. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism She first said she didn't see anything unusual with Jordan that morning, but by the fourth interview, Jenessa claimed she saw Jordan moving around his shotgun the morning her mom died. You have permission to edit this article. Please sign the petition below to urge the courts to reopen Kenzie Marie Houks case and get justice. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. For now, it's a life interrupted for Jordan, as his lawyers begin the process of appealing the judge's decision. Rain earlythen remaining cloudy with showers overnight. 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But everything changed on the morning of February 20, 2009 additional details about a man inside the.!
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jenessa houk interview