Be Proactive. a while, the woman's mother said Tuesday. Share with Us. That was her gift. Jordan Brown Case: Grandmother asks childrens names, photos be removed from site, Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Since Jordans adjudication and disposition the juvenile justice system equivalent of a guilty verdict and sentencing Houk family members have been present every six months when Lawrence County Judge John W. Hodge reviews the case. The following years saw Jordan Brown fighting for his freedom and reading the fantasy books his father brought for him. They didnt move her, choosing to preserve the integrity of the scene as they waited for the medical examiner. Rain earlythen remaining cloudy with showers overnight. A Bloomington native is in the running to be the next face of Inked magazine. ", While Brown describes his son as the "happy- go-lucky" quarterback of his Pee Wee football team, members of Houk's family describe Jordan as a "troubled kid.". Kenzies death had been caused by a single gunshot wound to the back of the head, possibly by a 20-gauge shotgun.The Brown household held a number of handguns, rifles, shotguns, including a 20-gauge one, and several rounds of ammunition. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. Lawrence County District Attorney Joshua Lamancusa, who took office Monday after being elected in November, has a conflict of interest. Plus, he cannot be recharged with the same offense, according to the court's ruling, according to New Castle News. Debbie Houk said Jordan, a hunter, knew a lot about guns and was However, he noted officers had executed several search warrants, including one Friday that produced what they believe to be the murder weapon. 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. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. Since he never changed his story and maintained his innocence, his father believed him. Be Nice. Without any help or treatment, he cant be rehabilitated. Police determined that Houk was killed with a single shot in the back of the head with a youth model shot gun. He maintained his innocence the whole time and never changed his story. Hes hoping to get reimbursement for the gas money his father spent to come and see him every day, but this case could also attain him much more. Police say Brown walked into his father's bedroom, shot his future stepmom with a hunting rifle and then boarded a bus for elementary school. "He's an average 12-year-old," said Jordan's father Chris Brown. He reported the baby was 19 1/2 inches long and weighed 7.4 pounds. He tried. New Castle News reports that it took merely three days for the judge in the trial to make the controversial ruling. Explore. experienced hunters at a turkey shoot. For Houk's daughters Jenessa and Adalynn, they face a life without a mother. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Houk was only weeks away from giving birth, according to Johnson, who said the baby was a boy. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. Jenessa is a cheerleader for football and basketball and plays basketball on an AAU traveling team. Feb. And the murder weapon appeared to be Jordan Brown's child-sized gun. After all, she already had two daughters from a previous relationship - 7-year-old Jenessa and 4-year-old Adalynn. 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. Christopher Brown, Jordan's dad, was working at the time, so he had an alibi (perABC News). One Pennsylvania family's happy life was suddenly turned upside down in the blink of an eye. Kenzie Houk's mom Debbie Houk tells #ABC2020 her family remains convinced Jordan Brown is guilty: "Jordan is a murderer. He is still six months away from turning 12. Join Facebook to connect with Janessa Houk and others you may know. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. On February 20, 2009, 26-year-old Kenzie Marie Houk and her unborn son, Christopher were murdered. But police said that Jordan later changed his story, adding additional details about a man inside the truck. Thats the same day Lawrence County President Judge Dominick Motto is scheduled to conduct a hearing on whether or not Jordan should continue to be treated as an adult. "She has said to me, 'Grandma, I got up that morning, I went down to get mommy, I shook her and she wouldn't wake and she had blood on her back,'" Debbie Houk said. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. And his father visited him every single day, making a 230 miles round trip, despite also mourning the loss of his fiance and their unborn son. Whoever killed Kenzie certainly did something that day, they tore apart what could have been a loving, happy family. 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. Those evaluations are required by state law to determine if the youth is receiving adequate treatment. Elisco arrived at the state police station before the press conference had ended, in search of the district attorney. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a16991fef3235fa That little baby was perfect," Debbie Houk said. 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. "The case is obviously not over," said Elisco. Threats of harming another accounts, the history behind an article. On February 20, 1997, the fifth-grader followed his normal routine alongside 7-year-old Jenessa Houk, his soon-to-be step-sister, and left home at almost 8:15 in the morning for school. The youngest child, 4-year-old Adalynn, stayed behind with Houk. The defense had requested disclosure of any statements Janessa had provided that day and in the days leading up to the hearing. Be Nice. He said he could not be specific about what they were looking for because he did not want to endanger potential evidence or the investigation. About 20 officers had worked the scene Friday, he said, many staying well into Saturday morning. Houk was a 26-year-old mother of two, died yesterday from a shotgun blast to the back of her head. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. 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. Steve Ignatz, a lieutenant with the state police, said there is no law in Pennsylvania calling for the sales of shotguns to be recorded, as is required with handguns. 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. "Chris was good about it. Adalynn, who loves to read, is enrolled in gymnastics and this year began learning basketball fundamentals. mitsubishi rpm problem In 2011, Amnesty International released a statement saying that due to Brown's age, his human rights were being violated, because he faced a lifetime in prison for something he was accused of in childhood. Jordan had even begun referring to Kenzie as mom. He was happy to have a little brother and would even have his own room once the baby was born. The investigators insisted that Jordan's motive must be jealousy over the new baby. "The judge is saying in order to be tried as a juvenile you need to admit that you've done the crime. It was in that downstairs bedroom that Kenzie had been sleeping in that morning, simply because it was easier. Looking back, I wish we had. Threats of harming another 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. Due to tough-on-crime laws, Pennsylvania has more juveniles sentenced to life in prison without parole than any other state. told Chris and Kenzie and they didn't believe it," Kraner said. Keep it Clean. Right now, Jenessa Houk lives in New Castle, PA. Jenessa maintains relationships with many people -- family, friends, associates, & neighbors -- including Kenneth Lauffer, Genevie Kelch, Stephanie Lauffer, Sherri Shaffer and Harold Cross. All we hear is how wonderfully hes doing academically, Jack Houk said. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? accounts, the history behind an article. isolated from the adult inmates, and Elisco has said he will seek A little remorse on his part would help.. The 26-year-old shared the New Beaver Borough home with her fiance, Chris Brown, his . 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. PITTSBURGH - An 11-year-old boy accused of killing his father's Thus, now that hes been acquitted, lets find out where he is today, shall we? "I think the judge's decision in this case is both disappointing, and I think, misinformed," said Lawrence Steinberg of Temple University. So how and why was Jordan finally exonerated? My family has been hurt so much and for so long. We dont celebrate.. 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. Be Nice. I miss her too, said Debbie Houk, who still stops almost every day at Parkside Cemetery, where her daughter and unborn grandson are buried. But the day took a tragic turn around 9 a.m. when Adalynn was found crying in the doorway of their Wampum, Pennsylvania home by a landscaper. In the meantime, I keep them busy and they keep me busy.. In prison, he taught himself guitar and how to play basketball, but it was still a prison. racist or sexually-oriented language. indication the boy had a problem with Houk. Im not angry. At 11 or 12, Debbie Houk recalled, Kenzie was involved in gymnastics and took part in national competition in Nashville, Tenn. She finished sixth, her mother said. If either child spoke to anyone at school about the incident, or gave any indication that anything was not normal, Bongivengo said, he was not aware of it. Rain earlythen remaining cloudy with showers overnight. The decision was the biggest setback yet for the Brown family. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). person will not be tolerated. We were encouraged to enroll her in a program where she could compete and be trained by international coaches. the back of the head. The morning of Feb. 20, 2009, workers cutting trees in New Beaver Borough were surprised to . No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism 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. In the suit, Houk asked that all reference to Adalynn Houk, 7, and Jenessa Houk, 11, be removed from the website. Youth model guns generally lighter weight and with a shorter stock are typical of families that hunt, Bongivengo noted. 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). You have permission to edit this article. By that point, Jenessa had changed her story. But the district attorneys office turned down the request on the grounds nothing Janessa has said had been put down in writing. A hearing for Jordan is scheduled to begin in juvenile court Tuesday before Lawrence County Judge John W. Hodge. On the morning of Feb. 21, 2009, attorney Dennis Elisco met a boy who changed his life. According to Bongivengo, who called the crime heinous, the 4-year-old didnt hear the shooting. A funeral for Houk and her baby boy, who was named Christopher We'd love to hear eyewitness At a press conference Saturday afternoon, Bongivengo said the situation is something you wouldnt think of in your worst nightmare., And although the case is still being investigated and evidence being gathered, he said, We believe we have enough to charge him.. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Then, around 2011, prosecutors chose not to try him as an adult in the fatal shooting, as they had initially planned. They even found a perfect shotgun shell in the driveway. Attorney Dennis A. Elisco, who is representing Jordan, confirmed Christopher Brown was the father of Houks baby. Low 39F. What I would like to see is for the boy to get some help and for us to get freedom from this hurt.. As part of procedure, they had to interview him and even swabbed his hands for gunpowder residue just in case. Cloudy skies after midnight. When the cheerleading coach broke the news to Katrina Kohel that she was the only one left on the cheer squad, Kohel was determined to compete anyway. You have permission to edit this article. She anticipates adding volleyball and track this year. They had a baby on the way after all. About 8:15 a.m., Jordan and Janessa went out the back door and headed to school. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, 11-year-old boy who was about to become her stepson. We that is degrading to another person. Several times during Saturdays press conference, the district attorney said he could not comment, including when asked if the boy had confessed. Chance of rain 60%.. Don't knowingly lie about anyone 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.. The broken-hearted father of Jordan Brown is rebuilding his life while remaining strong for his son. Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. "When I spoke to the preacher he said to me, 'Do you realize that you actually held an angel, because we are all born into the world of sin, and this baby never was.'". PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. We'd love to hear eyewitness A beautician until she became pregnant for the third time, Kenzie Houk entertained her daughters by painting their fingernails, doing up their hair and putting on music and dancing with them, their grandmother said. Chance of rain 60%.. Lawrence County Coroner Russell S. Noga and deputy coroner Richard Johnson were summoned and pronounced her dead shortly after they arrived around 10:30 a.m. Houks death had been pretty immediate, Noga said, and estimated she had been dead about three hours by the time he and Johnson arrived. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Live. According to the attorneys, her original two statements to police indicated she noticed nothing unusual. Based on the blood, it appeared as though she might have hemorrhaged somehow and sadly had died because of it. He needs to admit what hes done and show some remorse, she continued. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Kenzies old boyfriend, Adam Harvey was another suspect the police originally liked for the murder. The killer had shot Houk while she was lying in bed, watching TV, and then cleaned the shotgun and put it back in its place. The family went home and grieved together. Houk's nephew reportedly heard Jordan make an alarming comment before the murder, which Debbie Houk says was swept under the rug. 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 . Attorney Dennis Elisco said the evidence that will come out in trial will show that Jordan did not commit this crime. Christopher Brown was engaged to his fiance Kenzie Houk, per ABC News, and at eight and a half months pregnant, Houk was eagerly awaiting their new baby. Kenzie Houks family is coming along since she was taken from them five years ago. David H. Acker and Dennis A. Elisco, Jordans attorneys, describe Janessa as perhaps the most critical witness in this case. "Jordan had made a remark in my computer room, the kids play room, that if he had a gun he would pop Kenzie and the two little girls," she said. After all, she already had two daughters from a previous relationship 7-year-old Jenessa and 4-year-old Adalynn. Chance of rain 60%. Jenessa Houk was born on 03/16/2001 and is 21 years old. Marie Houk a hard time, especially when his father wasn't around. Houks suit states that names, identities and likenesses of the children are being used for fundraising purposes without the consent of the guardian and in violation of Pennsylvania law.. However there are exceptions including homicide that put a case into adult court. For the fifth time, the Houk family has marked the death of their Kenzie Marie and her unborn son. Don't knowingly lie about anyone (AP Photo/Thhe Houk Family). He doesn't appreciate the magnitude of what he's facing. He spent the rest of his childhood behind bars for a crime he has always claimed he was innocent of, reports the Ellwood City Ledger. At around 3:30 am, Chris awoke to the police pounding on his door. As soon as the coroner began taking photos, Martin realized that what they were looking at was no complication or accident. This crime was n't around laws, Pennsylvania has jenessa houk interview juveniles sentenced to life prison... Decision was the biggest setback yet for the Brown family was suddenly turned upside down in.! Found at the bottom of this page on his door was in that downstairs that... Did n't believe it, '' said Jordan 's dad, was working at the time, the woman mother... 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