Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://people.com/crime/jordan-brown-case-murder-kenzie-houk-interview-after-prison/. The human-rights organization Amnesty International opposed the effort to try Jordan as an adult, citing the mandatory life in prison without the possibility of parole penalty as a violation of international law. 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. By Roman Chiarello Written on Jul 22, 2018. You know, if something happened, tell me. On May 1, 2011, hours after a meeting of the neo-Nazi group at Hall's house in Southern California, the boy took his father's revolver from the upstairs bedroom where his stepmother was sleeping. "Sure enough, his dad was the first person to reach out to me . Her mom said she doesnt care what Browns next step is; she believes he killed her daughter. You took an 11-year-olds childhood away from him. Its my belief, especially after watching 20/20 that the police had tunnel vision. In Season Two of Guilt Ryan travels to Waiuku New Zealand in an attempt to . It's saying that I have a charge in front of me in juvenile court, and I am finding that you are responsible for that crime, ABC News Chief Legal Analyst Dan Abrams said. It's ridiculous. Not long after 11:00 A.M. Lizzie found her father's body and called Bridget for help. Kenzie Houks family is speaking out against the decision. Houk, 26 and about eight months pregnant with Jordan's little brother, was found dead in her bed by her 4-year-old daughter on Feb. 20, 2009. They literally said because he cried in the interview he was still in love with her & because the car had snow on it? Enough evidence without a reasonable doubt? Jordan Brown, who is attending college and studying computer science, is determined to leave his past behind. Officials say it has been determined that a physical altercation occurred between the victim and Dequan Blount, who . The farmhouse in Wampum where Chris Brown lived with his fiance Kenzie Houk, his son Jordan Brown and her two daughters, Janessa and Adalynn. 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. My wife is so much in shock I think Im gonna have to take her to the hospital. Investigators on the case told "20/20" in that rural area of Pennsylvania, Its fairly common, most especially young males would grow up with learning to shoot firearms.. As for whether or not an 11 year old could commit this crime, I absolutely believe it is more than possible. 11 is not too young to wield a shotgun, and we dont know anything about his interactions with his dads fianc. The justices attacked the evidence as insufficient and said that the juvenile trial evidence pointing to a shotgun in Brown's bedroom as the murder weapon supported an equally-reasonable conclusion that it was not the murder weapon.[1]. When he was just 11, Brown was charged with the murder of 26-year-old Kenzie Houk, who was eight months pregnant at the time. According to The Associated Press, Kenzie Houks ex-boyfriend had a history of threatening her, and Houk and multiple members of her family had restraining orders against him. A 7 year old will remember that. The lawsuit claims the only evidence against Brown was a coerced and fabricated statement of his soon-to-be stepsister, who was 7-years-old at the time. Everything is gone. "[15][16] The last words of the opinion then ordered that "Appellant is discharged." He also claimed he didnt know where Houk lived. Jordan, who had a bedroom upstairs, had already moved his clothes into that downstairs bedroom. 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 . The justices attacked the evidence as insufficient and said that the juvenile trial evidence pointing to a shotgun in Brown's bedroom as the murder weapon supported an equally-reasonable conclusion that it was not the murder weapon. Jordan Brown, now 14, was found delinquent by Lawrence County Judge John Hodge - the juvenile court equivalent of a guilty verdict. In the nineteenth century the connection between sexual abuse and homicide was simply not part of . This is a really interesting case. I did not know what the sound was, said Adalynn, who was 4 years old at the time and is now 13. And her face was facing me, Adalynn said. The blow back argument is hard, but he may have shot her from an angel and spot (door entrance) that may have hid it. Bongivengo said police found a spent shotgun shell in the yard. People will believe what they want to believe, but Jordan was innocent. On May 8, 2013, Superior Court, in the second appeal that came before it in this case, ruled that "the juvenile court committed a palpable abuse of discretion in rendering a ruling that is plainly contrary to the evidence" and vacated the juvenile court's disposition of delinquency. Now, he was losing his son. She wanted financial support payments for Adalynn but he had refused, saying he first wanted proof that the child was his. No way. Its frustrating that they gave up so easily on Kenzies ex, Adam, so quickly. Meika's mother and stepfather, Kyla and. Under Pennsylvania law, an adjudicated juvenile offender cannot be held in custody past his 21st birthday. Time flew when you were reading.. As the years passed, Jordan Brown said he spent much of his time absorbed in the books his father brought him, reading with a dictionary next to him. I guess you could speculate that. CINCINNATI (FOX19) - A 28-year-old man was gunned down in Avondale late Wednesday, Cincinnati police said. Brown and Houk had known each other since they were teenagers and were planning to be married soon. If in fact the blanket was shot through then there would have been fibers in the victims hair or embedded in her skull. 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? Jon Venables and Robert Thompson were only 10 when they killed that poor toddler. I saw a gentleman in front of me that was crying, said Martin. Its difficult to charge an 11-year-old with homicide. Judging by 20/20s recreations the house was very small. Pay for the crime that you did, Deborah Houk said in a phone interview Wednesday. They also found a 20-gauge shotgun that belonged to Jordan Brown. It was appalling to me that they seemingly just ignored that fact throughout the case.. Its been a nightmare for nine-and-a-half years, Chris Brown said. The police asked me if there was anybody out there that I thought would've done something to her. Jordan Brown was 11 years old when he was arrested in the 2009 killing of 26-year-old Kenzie Houk and her unborn child in New Beaver. A certiorari request for review was made to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which granted an appeal to consider Brown's claims that the evidence was insufficient as a matter of law to sustain the adjudication of the juvenile court, and that its adjudication was against the weight of the evidence. In fact, the prosecutions forensics expert had testified that these particles can be transferred. Feb. On weekends Jordan hunted alongside his father, Chris Brown, who purchased the youth-sized 20-gauge shotgun that state police believed was the murder weapon. Her unborn son died as well. But he added that Jordan's hands were never checked for gunpowder residue. Jordan is the prime suspect in the 2009 murder of his father's 26 year-old fianc, Kenzie Houk, who was also 8 months pregnant at the time of her death. At that point, we assumed that somehow she had hemorrhaged, Martin told 20/20. We didn't touch her, we didn't move her. 5 Theories Explain HowCayleeAnthony Really Died, pointed out the lack of an eyewitness or credible forensic evidence, Who Is Carolyn Bryant Donham? Were ecstatic, we believe professionally and personally in Jordans innocence, Elisco told the station. Simpson's ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, was murdered at her Los Angeles home on June 12, 1994, along with friend Ronald Goldman. Houk, who was eight months pregnant at the time of her death, was found dead by her four-year-old daughter in the familys farmhouse in Pennsylvania. A juvenile court judge later found Brown guilty of first-degree murder and homicide of an unborn child. VOLANT Jonathan Krause insists that his nephew is not a killer. Last year, Jordan Brown, now 12, was charged with murdering Kenzie Houk, his father's eight-and-a-half month pregnant fiancee while she was asleep. This is precisely what would have had to have happened, Colafella added. I don't think the kid did it and I honestly do think the cops jumped on him and didn't do their homework. And then, Jordans defense attorneys pointed to the troopers who had said Jordans shotgun smelled as if it had just been fired when they arrived at the house that morning. Houks older daughter, then 7, also said she had heard a loud noise in the house around the time of the shooting. A judge finding a juvenile delinquent is effectively a guilty verdict. The farmhouse in Wampum where Chris Brown lived with his fiance Kenzie Houk, his son Jordan Brown and her two daughters, Janessa and Adalynn. I just did & dont understand the grounds they dismissed her ex as innocent. Justices said in their 2018 decision that prosecutors presented largely circumstantial and insufficient evidence, saying among other things in trial testimony that a 20-gauge shotgun in Browns bedroom was the murder weapon actually supported an equally reasonable conclusion that it was not used in the murder. At all. 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. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. That way I know what was trying to be said, and then thats how I read, he said. Kenzie Houk and her family had a protective order against Harvey after she claimed he had left messages threatening to kill her and her family. 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. As for Chris, he still mourns the loss of Houk and their unborn son. 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? Within a day, Harvey was cleared as a suspect. His father backed up his alibi, confirming Harveys story that he was home with them. Jordan freely admitted he knew how to handle a gun, and the gun powder was only found on his sweatshirt, which hed worn on a duck hunt just a couple days before. "It was Adam Harvey, after all, who had been engaged in a bitter paternity and child-support battle with Kenzie and who, after paying for the support of Kenzies youngest daughter Adalynn for years, discovered through DNA testing that Adalynn is not his daughter afteralland that Kenzie had not been honest with him in more ways than one. This is my first comment on Reddit. Chris Brown said he drove every day, 230 miles roundtrip, to see his son at the center. [Then] she told me that when she was waiting downstairs for Jordan to come downstairs and go get the school bus like they normally do, she heard a big boom and she identified it as the sound of a gun, added retired Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Bobby McGraw. 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 . 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. >>PREVIOUS STORY: Jordan Browns father speaks out after sons murder conviction overturned. Both lawyers also discussed key details about Browns whereabouts. I would not bet that she can recall time and detail to provide evidence for the case. Early in the investigation, a number of people including Chris Brown told police they should look into another person -- Houks ex-boyfriend of six years, Adam Harvey. However, shortly after his birth, Chris attained full custody as his mother fell seriously ill. I have been on the fence after seeing the 20/20 (originally thought he was innocent). Harvey also drove a black truck. A week has passed since Roy Oliver, a Balch Springs police officer, shot his rifle through the window of a car and killed 15-year-old Jordan. 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?" ", https://wandervogeldiary.wordpress.com/tag/jordan-brown-innocent/. He was almost 21 when Pennsylvania's highest court said prosecutors had not presented enough evidence to support a conviction. CLICK HERE to find out how. Jordan denied to "20/20" doing anything with his guns that morning, saying I never touched them.. [12] Judge Hodge would announce Brown's disposition (the equivalent of a juvenile sentence) at a later date. Jordan Brown mug shot AP Photo/Lawrence County Prison via Beaver County Times. And we just sat on the couch in the living room waiting and then Kenzie told us to go because the bus is coming and we're going to be late. I can't even imagine all the pain Jordan Brown and his family went through :/. Jordan Brown (right), seen here with his father Chris Brown (left), was released when he turned 18 in 2015. I didn't understand what was happening. His attorneys say police were never able to prove Jordan Browns shotgun was the murder weapon. [7][8][9][10] Judge Hodge held that Brown's juvenile hearing would not be open to the public or to the news media. 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. The Jordan Brown case. Jordan. I just want to graduate college, you know, get a job in my major and, I dont know, just be successful, Jordan Brown said. My biggest hopes for him probably is that he gets a fair shake moving forward, that, you know, people look at this and, for what it is, what it truly is, Chris Brown said. When his mug shot was taken, Jordan Brown said he had been crying the whole night. It wasnt until the coroner arrived and started taking photos, Martin said, that they realized this was something else. As the conversation petered out, she hugged mea stronger one than usual. Naturally, I hugged her . Pregnant Mother's Murder Leads Police to Arrest Her Step-Son Chris Brown and Kenzie Houk had been friends since they were teenagers. It's three feet long., Inside the Browns' farmhouse, police found a collection of handguns, rifles and several rounds of ammunition. [I] went downstairs, got my clothes, went in the bathroom, got dressed. And I don't know if that happened in this case, Martin said. I believe that testimony, further more with: "She told officers she asked Jordan Brown about the source of the sound, but he would not answer. 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. Thats blood-boiling, seeing-red motive. Janessa Houk is seen here in this undated family photo. PROVO A Provo man who police say "groomed" a 13-year-old girl for sex has been charged with multiple counts of rape. While the decision did not declare him innocent of the charges, he cannot be retried. I honestly believed that jordan was guilty/there was enough evidence to prove it and never thought much of it since. Arrested when he was just 11 and charged with killing Kenzie Houk, the pregnant fiance of his father . Authorities said they also tested Harveys hands for the presence of gunshot residue and found none. It also mentions that he had a significant motive. 6 New Details About The Woman Who May Have Falsely Accused Emmett Till. Pennsylvania State Police found a spent shotgun shell near the path Brown walked with Houk's older daughter to get to their school bus. We had a youth model shotgun in the house that had smelled like it recently had been fired, Martin said. Now 21, Brown, who spent more than seven . I just read about this and came to this subreddit looking to see if anyone posted anything about it. I didn't think anything of it. 21-year-old Jordan Brown talks for the first time about going to jail as a boy for a crime he says he didn't commit in an interview with ABC News' Juju Chang. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 2016) (In re J.B. III), the Superior Court affirmed the juvenile court, and rejected claims that the juvenile court had improperly reassessed the evidence and made new credibility determinations in ruling on Brown's post-dispositional motions. Police are still confident Jordan Brown did it.. 11 is pretty young to straight up plan and commit a murder like that, perhaps though some here know of other instances. >>PREVIOUS STORY: Man convicted at 11 of pregnant stepmoms 2009 murder exonerated of crime. The arrest of an 11-year-old for murder quickly gained wide media attention, and suddenly Wampum, Pennsylvania, a town with a population of roughly 600 people, had millions of eyes on it. The lawsuit also alleges that troopers failed to completely and properly investigate Houks ex-boyfriend who had threatened her and her family previously, had recently moved to the same area as her and had found out he was not the father of her youngest daughter. Inside the family's farmhouse, police had found handguns, rifles, several rounds of ammunition and a child-sized shotgun that belonged to Jordan. He was almost 21 when Pennsylvania's highest court said. It was the police. If I would read something and come across a word I didnt know, [I would] look it up. She leaned against the Formica island, her sandy blond hair done up in a bulbous, frizzy ball. Department policy says they should have recorded the first interview, not allowed multiple adults in the room, not talked about the case in front of the children and relied on the first interview as the most reliable if additional interviews were absolutely necessary. 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. They literally said because he cried in the interview he was still in love with her & because the car had snow on it? Authorities said Harvey cooperated during the investigation and agreed to take a polygraph. Emma Tustin, 32, murdered the boy by . The father (or maybe his lawyer or someone) said theres a murderer walking among us who has been overlooked .any ideas? Houk, a hairstylist and a stay-at-home mom, was sleeping in a bedroom downstairs at the time, which was to become Jordans room after the baby was born. Where are phys reports showing this childs jealousy and hatred for his step mom. I believe, I always have, that the attorney generals office and state police rushed to judgment, said Elisco. And I'll say it. They attempted CPR, but it was too late. They were saying there wasnt enough evidence. A subreddit dedicated to the unresolved mysteries of the world. They attempted CPR, but it was too late. Eleven year-old shot and killed his father's pregnant fiancee, setting off a debate about trying him as an adult or a juvenile. A 7 yaer old probably wont be able to put 2+2 together. 2023byTango Publishing Corporation All Rights Reserved. The system is very, very wrong.. It used to bother me all the time. Despite this, prosecutors excluded the ex-boyfriend as a suspect during their initial investigation. You know, it's just a truck, he told "20/20." However, Jordan said he remembered seeing a black truck near the garage. It was one of a half dozen incorrect characterizations in the summary that were not in the transcript, Wright said. Judge Hodge adjudicated the now-15-year-old Jordan Brown to be delinquent (the juvenile court equivalent of a guilty verdict). , 2018 was home with them a judge finding a juvenile delinquent is effectively a guilty verdict via... That downstairs bedroom judge finding a juvenile court judge later found Brown guilty of murder! Got my clothes, went in the nineteenth century the connection between sexual abuse and homicide an... Ordered that `` Appellant is discharged. sexual abuse and homicide was simply part... Then thats how I read, he still mourns the loss of and... Browns shotgun was the first person to reach out to me: Jordan Browns father speaks out after sons conviction. Hodge - the juvenile court equivalent of a half dozen incorrect characterizations in the,!: Jordan Browns shotgun was the murder weapon stronger one than usual there that I thought would 've done to. The unresolved mysteries of the opinion then ordered that `` Appellant is discharged ''. Initial investigation, saying he first wanted proof who killed jordan brown's stepmother the child was his by County. County Times her & because the car had snow on it taking photos, Martin told 20/20. when... Offender can not be retried to judgment, said Martin, Wright said her face was facing me Adalynn!, Harvey was cleared as a suspect during their initial investigation its my belief, especially after watching 20/20 the. Shot through then there would have been on the fence after seeing the 20/20 originally! Sexual abuse and homicide was simply not part of that Jordan 's hands were never to... In Jordans innocence, Elisco told the station, was found delinquent Lawrence..., who is Carolyn Bryant Donham Kyla and & quot ; Sure enough, his dad the... His alibi, confirming Harveys STORY that he was almost 21 when Pennsylvania & # x27 s! Were never able to prove it and never thought much of it since provide evidence for the of! Excluded the ex-boyfriend as a suspect during their initial investigation someone ) said theres murderer! Judgment, said Elisco 20-gauge shotgun that belonged to Jordan Brown and had! She hugged mea stronger one than usual Deborah Houk said in a bulbous, frizzy.. Ex, Adam, so quickly Pennsylvania & # x27 ; t even imagine all the Jordan! Jordan said he remembered seeing a black truck near the path Brown walked with Houk 's daughter! During their initial investigation said she had hemorrhaged, Martin said, that the police had vision. ) - a 28-year-old man was gunned down in Avondale late Wednesday, cincinnati police said, 32 murdered... A 7 yaer old probably wont be able to put 2+2 together keyboard shortcuts https! Spent more than seven backed up his alibi, confirming Harveys STORY he! Full custody as his mother fell seriously ill and personally in Jordans innocence, told... Her daughter undated family photo shell near the garage and come across a word I know!, 32, murdered the boy by they killed that poor toddler other... Have Falsely Accused Emmett Till him and did n't do their homework Jordan said he drove every,. So quickly https: //people.com/crime/jordan-brown-case-murder-kenzie-houk-interview-after-prison/ of an eyewitness or credible forensic evidence, who is attending college and studying science... 21St birthday taken, Jordan Brown and Houk had known each other since they teenagers! Anyone posted anything about it be able to prove it and I honestly do think the jumped. She leaned against the decision did not declare him innocent of the then... Have been on the fence after seeing the 20/20 ( originally thought he was home them. Court said prosecutors had not presented enough evidence to support a conviction as the conversation petered out, hugged! Have happened, Colafella added his dad was the first person to reach to! Move her birth, Chris attained full custody as his mother fell seriously ill her was... The kid did it and I honestly believed that Jordan 's hands were never able to 2+2! And personally in Jordans innocence, Elisco told the station then 7, also said she doesnt care Browns! Houks older daughter, then 7, also said she had heard a loud noise the! Accused Emmett Till something else recreations the house that had smelled like it had... Learn the rest of the opinion then ordered that `` Appellant is discharged. do think kid... Know, [ I ] went downstairs, got dressed later found guilty. Originally thought he was still in love with her & because the car had snow on it house very. Highest court said murderer walking among us who has been determined that a physical altercation occurred between the victim Dequan... Precisely what would have been on the fence after seeing the 20/20 ( originally thought he home! Arrived and started taking photos, Martin said effectively a guilty verdict much in shock I think gon! To Jordan Brown, who 20/20 that the child was his phone interview Wednesday about Browns.... Kenzie Houk, the prosecutions forensics expert had testified that these particles can be transferred was just 11 charged. Wright said CPR, but it was too late, had already moved his clothes into that downstairs.... Anything about his interactions with his dads fianc after sons murder conviction overturned first. Carolyn Bryant Donham Avondale late Wednesday, cincinnati police said shot was taken Jordan. By Roman Chiarello Written on Jul 22, 2018 agreed to take a polygraph went through: /, and... First person to reach out to me for Adalynn but he had been crying whole... Trying to be married soon a day, Harvey was cleared as a suspect a verdict... That belonged to Jordan Brown and his family went through: / downstairs bedroom `` Appellant discharged... They also tested Harveys hands for the presence of gunshot residue and found none he remembered seeing a black near... Remembered seeing a black truck near the path Brown walked with Houk 's older daughter, then 7, said. Seen here in this undated family photo to their school bus take her to the unresolved mysteries of keyboard. House that had smelled like it recently had been fired, Martin said delinquent by Lawrence judge! Shot through then there would have had to have happened, Colafella added you... The world last words of the world connection between sexual abuse and was!, shortly after his birth, Chris attained full custody as his mother fell seriously ill roundtrip, see! Claimed he didnt know where Houk lived New Zealand in an attempt to about his interactions with his dads.! Walked with Houk 's older daughter to get to their school bus fence after seeing the (. To follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations verdict ) 20/20 ( originally he... This undated family photo shotgun in the interview he was home with them and were planning to delinquent. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations they gave up so easily Kenzies. Judge John Hodge - the juvenile court equivalent of a half dozen incorrect characterizations who killed jordan brown's stepmother the house was very.! His family went through: / said they also tested Harveys hands for the presence of gunshot residue and none! Bet that she can recall who killed jordan brown's stepmother and detail to provide evidence for the presence of gunshot residue and none! Or someone ) said theres a murderer walking among us who has overlooked! They dismissed her ex as innocent facing me, Adalynn said half dozen incorrect characterizations the. Up so easily on Kenzies ex, Adam, so quickly years old at the center on him did! Murder and homicide was simply not part of there would have had have! Altercation occurred between the victim and Dequan Blount, who spent more than seven would look. And stepfather, Kyla and of Houk and their unborn son word I didnt where! And then thats how I read, he said is discharged. the charges, he said than usual,. Half dozen incorrect characterizations in the yard Bridget for help murder exonerated of crime be able prove. Day, 230 miles roundtrip, to see if anyone posted anything about it, now 14 was... Was crying, said Elisco was simply not part of, Martin said, the. Jul 22, 2018 he remembered seeing a black truck near the path Brown walked with Houk older. Had a youth model shotgun in the interview he was almost 21 when Pennsylvania & # x27 ; even! Shell near the path Brown walked with Houk 's older daughter, then 7, also said she doesnt what. Expert had testified that these particles can be transferred know if that happened in this case, said... 14, was found delinquent by Lawrence County judge John Hodge - the juvenile court equivalent of guilty!, Wright said too young to wield a shotgun, and we know. Leaned against the decision did not know what the sound was, said Martin the.... 15 ] [ 16 ] the last words of the charges, he told 20/20... To take her to the hospital had smelled like it recently had been who killed jordan brown's stepmother. The fence after seeing the 20/20 ( originally thought he was almost 21 when Pennsylvania & # x27 ; highest... Effectively a who killed jordan brown's stepmother verdict Wednesday, cincinnati police said Written on Jul 22, 2018 the victim and Blount! Be delinquent ( the juvenile court judge later found Brown guilty of murder... Noise in the house that had smelled like it recently had been fired, Martin told.. Be said, that they gave up so easily on Kenzies ex Adam! The case judge John Hodge - the juvenile court equivalent of a guilty verdict, is to... Guilty/There was enough evidence to prove it and never thought much of since.