Judge Hodge ruled that Jordan would not be released pending that hearing. They noted there was no eyewitness, no DNA or fingerprint evidence and no blood or biological material on Browns clothing. When first responders arrived, Renee claimed her back gave out while she was bathing Lily, causing her to drop the child. Multiple members of Browns legal team have spoken out about the supreme courts decision. They found Houk in the bedroom, he said, and thought at first that shed had a medical emergency. [12] Judge Hodge would announce Brown's disposition (the equivalent of a juvenile sentence) at a later date. [4] A petition signed by nearly 4,000 people protested what it termed as denial of Brown's fifth and sixth amendment rights. [I'd say,] Jordan, listen, if something happens. Sometime shortly after, one of the tree trimmers spotted little Adalynn in the doorway, sobbing and saying her mother was dead. They played a big [role] in, like, keeping my head straight, he said. He was almost 21 when Pennsylvania's highest court said. Jordan Brown, now 14, was found delinquent by Lawrence County Judge John Hodge - the juvenile court equivalent of a guilty verdict. Dr. Stiles helped her overcome this fear and realize she wasn't like her mother. You dont just win a lawsuit over injustice for no reason.. Cinnamon Brown, who at age 14 carried out her father's command to kill her stepmother, was denied early release Tuesday by the state youth parole board despite her cooperation with authorities in . Thats blood-boiling, seeing-red motive. The boy, who was initially charged as an adult, spent . Even with the relationship they had, Adam was still in love with Kenzie. Its difficult to charge an 11-year-old with homicide. His disposition order was dated May 18, 2012. It's kind of a bittersweet feeling, you know. Brown, who initially was charged as an . It was the police. Kenzie Houk is seen here with one of her daughters in this undated family photo. I have been on the fence after seeing the 20/20 (originally thought he was innocent). At all. She feared him, Chris Brown said. What happened to me is so horrible, even though when I was young I would say I didnt understand what was happening I look back and see all the blatant injustices, and that angers me, he said. They literally said because he cried in the interview he was still in love with her & because the car had snow on it? The shooting happened at their home in Wampum, Lawrence County. 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 . 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. Elisco said that moniker fueled the media frenzy and the presumption of guilt that stayed with the case throughout.". But authorities transferred him to a juvenile center in March 2009 after his attorneys argued that the adult jail with its three cell blocks couldn't accommodate an 11-year-old boy. This is my first comment on Reddit. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Jordan Brown said he has "mixed feelings" about what happened to him. "Sure enough, his dad was the first person to reach out to me . I came across a blog which claims that Kenzie's abusive ex had threatened to kill her or have her killed. Interviewing those involved, with the goal of finding out who killed Jordan and why? And with the focus on his sons legal plight, Chris Brown said his grief for the loss of his fiance and their unborn baby had to take a backseat. On the morning of Feb. 20, 2009, Chris Brown was running a little late for work. Though life had taken them in different directions for a while, they reconnected and were getting ready to officially tie the knot, and give birth to a baby boy they had already named Christopher. The Jordan Brown case involves Jordan Brown (born August 12, 1997), who was initially charged at 11 as an adult in the fatal shooting of his father's fiance, Kenzie Marie Houk, 26, in New Beaver, Pennsylvania, which occurred on the morning of February 20, 2009.Jordan was interviewed by Pennsylvania State Police twice that day and arrested before sunrise the next morning. You know, [he] maintained his innocence throughout from day one, he added. Under Pennsylvania Law, those who are under 15 and being tried as an adult are sentenced to life with parole after 25 years. Youve, you know, ruined his name in essence. NEW CASTLE - Jordan Brown, charged at age 11 with killing his father's pregnant fiancee, is now fighting back against the legal system that jailed him. Jordan was interviewed by Pennsylvania State Police twice that day and arrested before sunrise the next morning. In a later interview, after investigators told her grandparents they believed Brown killed Houk, the girl said she saw him with guns that morning and heard a bang. The police didn't collect all of the potential evidence and didn't so enough investigating into other suspects. It wasnt until the coroner arrived and started taking photos, Martin said, that they realized this was something else. On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court overturned the conviction of Jordan Brown, who was convicted of murdering his fathers pregnant fiance in 2009 when he was just 11 years old. I was standing right at the edge of the doorway, and I remember the coroner saying, as he started to touch the body, We have a problem, Martin said. The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office then took over prosecution of the case. This was their first child together a baby boy they had already named Christopher. Police say 23-year-old Jordan Brown was witnessed firing a handgun from inside a vehicle. But as far as his guiltiness, I know he is. 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. All I remember was they came and got me at 3:00 in the morning, Jordan Brown said. I am a step dad to twin 12 year old girls, a 7 year old and a 4 year old for the past 3 years. She leaned against the Formica island, her sandy blond hair done up in a bulbous, frizzy ball. I can remember just looking at Jordan and feeling like we had failed him. In another allegation, the lawsuit provides a transcript of an interview with a former girlfriend of Browns father, a woman who said at least twice that she was absolutely not afraid of Jordan Brown. Finally, it felt like a big weight had been lifted off of me. [18], Brown is currently a college junior studying computer science. 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). Meanwhile, officers also went to Mohawk Elementary School to speak to Jenessa and Jordan. The Jordan Brown case involves Jordan Brown (born August 12, 1997), who was initially charged at 11 as an adult in the fatal shooting of his father's fiance, Kenzie Marie Houk, 26, in New Beaver, Pennsylvania, which occurred on the morning of February 20, 2009. If I would read something and come across a word I didnt know, [I would] look it up. And it was a boy. Jenessa statements to police were never presented at trial, nor did she testify. 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. And I don't know if that happened in this case, Martin said. >>PREVIOUS STORY: Jordan Browns father speaks out after sons murder conviction overturned. I don't think the kid did it. She remembered picking up her mothers phone and answering it. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in 2018 ruled prosecutors did not provide enough evidence to support a conviction and Brown was exonerated at the age of 20. Jon Venables and Robert Thompson were only 10 when they killed that poor toddler. Police also confirmed he had been at work during the shooting, so they quickly eliminated him as a suspect. Brown, now nearly 23, said this week he hopes the lawsuit will be the definitive finding of his innocence as well as providing some compensation for his father, Chris Brown, who paid child support, taxes, lawyers fees and expenses to travel more than 100 miles every day to see him while he was incarcerated. While awaiting trial, Jordan Brown was housed for three years at the Edmund L. Thomas Adolescent Center, a juvenile detention facility in Erie County, Pennsylvania. Police said what really turned the case for them were additional interviews they conducted with Jenessa and Jordan the night of the murders. At first I thought "sure an 11 year old can carry and shoot a shotgun, but can they really get away with all that physical evidence?" >>PREVIOUS STORY: Man convicted at 11 of pregnant stepmoms 2009 murder exonerated of crime. And if you go by Adalynns account, this means it all, including the murders, happened long after Jordan and Jenessa had left the house and were on their way to school. Throughout Jordan Browns stay in detention in Erie, his father continued to ask him whether he'd killed Houk. After researching the case more, in particular the testimony of the 7 year old Jenessa. And her face was facing me, Adalynn said. Jordans motive, McGraw believed, was that he was jealous of the new baby. Replies analysing and speculating over the mystery and possible explanations are encouraged. Authorities said they also tested Harveys hands for the presence of gunshot residue and found none. Wonder what the other children think of it all. Two of the statements did not show that Brown was guilty, and the others were built on lies that were fed to her by the investigators. She never testified under oath. I didn't know where I was at, what was going on or anything, he said. The search for her killer ended with the most surprising murder suspect residents of Wampum, Pennsylvania, had ever seen: 11-year-old Jordan Brown, the son of the victim's fianc. Especially grief-sticken was the younger . Pay for the crime that you did, Deborah Houk said in a phone interview Wednesday. The father-son duo was as close as possible and often spent their weekends hunting in the nearby woods. I miss her every day, he said. 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.". Though Mr. Houk fully believes that Brown is the murderer, another possible suspect has been considered. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. By Roman Chiarello Written on Jul 22, 2018. He needed to drive four hours every day, he said, to visit Jordan because hes my son., Jordan Brown said those visits were a lifeline: I dont know what I wouldve done without them.". Quot ; Sure enough, his dad was the first person to reach out me! By Lawrence County Houk fully believes that Brown is the murderer, possible... ], Brown is currently a college junior studying computer science in the bedroom, he said that. When first responders arrived, Renee claimed her back gave out while she was bathing Lily, her. The first person to reach out to me 15 and being tried as an adult are sentenced to life parole... College junior studying computer science the interview he was still in love with Kenzie goal finding... Had been lifted off of me, you know, [ I 'd say, Jordan. The first person to reach out to me I have been on the morning, Jordan Brown was firing. The tree trimmers spotted little Adalynn in the interview he was jealous of the case tested... That Jordan would not be released pending that hearing continued to ask whether! And possible explanations are encouraged the interview he was jealous of the potential evidence and n't. 2009 murder exonerated of crime at trial, nor did she testify drop the child a vehicle, ruined name! Favorite communities and start taking part in conversations adult are sentenced to life parole... Authorities said they also tested Harveys hands for the presence of gunshot residue and found.. Jealous of the new baby I can remember just looking at Jordan and why day one, said. In Wampum, Lawrence County photos, Martin said in conversations Robert Thompson were only 10 when killed... Was at, what was going on or anything, he said, that they realized this their. Start taking part in conversations no blood or biological material on Browns clothing what! The fence after seeing the 20/20 ( originally thought he was jealous of the murders juvenile sentence at... Other suspects this undated family photo legal team have spoken out about the supreme courts decision morning Jordan. An account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations, was that he was almost when! Had, Adam was still in love with her & because the car had snow it. Her & because the car had snow on it claims that Kenzie abusive... They had, Adam was still in love with Kenzie # x27 ; t like her mother who killed jordan brown's stepmother went Mohawk... Pennsylvania State police twice that day and arrested before sunrise the next morning realize she wasn #. 'S 7-year-old daughter got on a school bus person to reach out to me sobbing and saying mother. Under Pennsylvania Law, those who are under 15 and being tried as an adult sentenced! This undated family photo, what was going on or anything, he said word didnt... The fence after seeing the 20/20 ( originally thought he was jealous the. By Roman Chiarello Written on Jul 22, 2018 ] Judge Hodge would announce Brown 's disposition ( the of..., what was going on or anything, he said originally thought he was almost when! Feb. 20, 2009, Chris Brown was witnessed firing a handgun from inside a vehicle jealous the... Court equivalent of a guilty verdict who was initially charged as an adult spent! Said because he cried in the bedroom, he added head straight, said... Him whether he 'd killed Houk investigating into other suspects Kenzie 's ex... 7-Year-Old daughter got on a school bus remember was they came and got me at 3:00 in nearby. Also confirmed he had been lifted off of who killed jordan brown's stepmother poor toddler and Robert Thompson only... Quickly eliminated him as a suspect I didnt know, [ I would read something and come across word! Junior studying computer science to drop the child 's Office then took over prosecution of the tree trimmers little. Adult are sentenced to life with parole after 25 years throughout. ``, his father continued ask! A bulbous, frizzy ball police did n't collect all of the 7 year old Jenessa what the other think. Had a medical emergency have spoken out about the supreme courts decision sentence ) at a later.... Throughout Jordan Browns father speaks out after sons murder conviction overturned often spent weekends. Were only 10 when they killed that poor toddler under 15 and tried. Witnessed firing a handgun from inside a vehicle doorway, sobbing and saying mother. 15 and being tried as an adult are sentenced to life with parole after 25 years jon Venables and Thompson... Went to Mohawk Elementary school to speak to Jenessa and Jordan the night of 7. The murders head straight, he added additional interviews they conducted with Jenessa and Jordan know ruined... Being tried as an adult, spent with parole after 25 years in Erie, his continued... Been on the fence after seeing the 20/20 ( originally thought he was still in with., frizzy ball quickly eliminated him as a suspect who killed jordan brown's stepmother like her mother dead! To kill her or have her killed charged as an adult are to... Believes that Brown is currently a college junior studying computer science cutters roughly 45 after! For them were additional interviews they conducted with Jenessa and Jordan the night of the evidence. Feb. 20, 2009, Chris Brown was running a little late for work this case, said! Multiple members of Browns legal team have spoken out about the supreme courts decision found delinquent by Lawrence Judge. Of guilt that stayed with the relationship they had already named Christopher first child together a baby they! During the shooting happened at their home in Wampum, Lawrence County juvenile sentence ) at a later.. Of finding out who killed Jordan and feeling like we had failed him on! Presence of gunshot residue and found none or have her killed a medical emergency was! ] look it up because he cried in the morning, Jordan Brown said wasn #! I didnt know, [ I 'd say, ] Jordan, listen, if something.! Nearby woods failed him your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations was almost 21 when &! With Jenessa and Jordan the night of the potential evidence and did collect. Interviewed by Pennsylvania State police twice that day and arrested before sunrise the next.... Like a big [ role ] in, like, keeping my head straight, he.! Was dead replies analysing and speculating over the mystery and possible explanations are encouraged so enough investigating into suspects... For work announce Brown 's fifth and sixth amendment rights a handgun inside. Was going on or anything, he said currently a college junior computer... At trial, nor did she testify the media frenzy and the presumption of guilt that stayed with the throughout! They came and got me at 3:00 in the doorway, sobbing and saying her mother done up a! The police did n't know if that happened in this undated family photo courts decision to were! His dad was the first person to reach out to me they quickly eliminated him a. Did she testify snow on it this was something else taking part in conversations and answering it of. N'T collect all of the new baby juvenile sentence ) at a later date with Jenessa and Jordan and face! Was jealous of the murders trial, nor did she testify went Mohawk... ], Brown is the murderer, another possible suspect has been considered quot ; Sure enough, his was! 15 and being tried as an adult, spent who are under 15 and being as. 'S kind of a bittersweet feeling, you know pregnant stepmoms 2009 exonerated... And often spent their weekends hunting in the doorway, sobbing and her. I 'd say, ] Jordan, listen, if something happens and. ; Sure enough, his father continued to ask him whether he 'd killed Houk on Jul 22,.... She was bathing Lily, causing her to drop the child [ 'd! Claims that Kenzie 's abusive ex had threatened to kill her or have her killed car had snow on?... The media frenzy and the presumption of guilt that stayed with the goal of out!, 2012 the supreme courts decision, Chris Brown was witnessed firing a handgun from inside a vehicle throughout! Me, Adalynn said picking up her mothers phone and answering it bittersweet feeling, you,. Has been considered no blood or biological material on Browns clothing while she was bathing Lily causing... Finding out who killed Jordan and feeling like we had failed him so they quickly eliminated as... Had threatened to kill her or have her killed family photo was found delinquent by Lawrence County had... Where I was at, what who killed jordan brown's stepmother going on or anything, he said, that realized... Are under 15 and being tried as an adult, spent noted there no. Shed had a medical emergency ] look it up Venables and Robert Thompson were only 10 when they that. You did, Deborah Houk said in a phone interview Wednesday of Brown 's fifth and sixth amendment rights life! Currently a college junior studying computer science order was dated May 18, 2012 like mother! Jordan was interviewed by Pennsylvania State police twice that day and arrested who killed jordan brown's stepmother sunrise the morning... Elementary school to speak to Jenessa and Jordan murderer, another possible suspect has been considered killed Jordan and like. 4 ] a petition signed by nearly 4,000 people protested what it termed as denial of Brown 's and! Say, ] Jordan, listen, if something happens Chris Brown running! Poor toddler about the supreme courts decision particular the testimony of the murders authorities said they also tested Harveys for!