He had changed his story, albeit slightly, but enough that his soon-to-be half-sisters account cemented in their minds that he might be lying. "It's a very serious crime, but I think we have an appropriate response that will provide the kinds of services and therapies that have a good chance at rehabilitating him," he said. They said hes getting counseling because his mother abandoned him as a baby, Debbie Houk said. 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 . "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. Be Truthful. The decision was the biggest setback yet for the Brown family. daughter," she said. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. The morning of her murder, Houk had asked Browns father if he could stay home from work with her. Before the murder, there were multiple accounts of Houk being uncomfortable and tormented by Brown. Kenzie in the head and pop both kids. But many argue 12 is simply too young to face the prospect of an adult sentence. Rain earlythen remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Keep it Clean. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. However, his lawyers continued to file appeals on his behalf, which resulted in a 50 verdict to overturn his conviction on July 18, 2018, by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. "Not only that, but keep in mind, [he was] 11 years old when this happened, now 12. The investigators insisted that Jordan's motive must be jealousy over the new baby. 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. 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. "It's been at least two months that he's made the threats," Winds light and variable. isolated from the adult inmates, and Elisco has said he will seek Family and friends gathered at the grave Thursday the fifth anniversary followed by a meal at the family home. Brown and his dad, Christopher, lived with Houk and her two small daughters in a farmhouse in a rural western Pennsylvania town of Wampum, where the father often took his son hunting. "Why should you get the things back that you had when you took so much you took two lives here. "Jordan had told (my son around Christmas) he was going to pop These ventures are why the latter bought a youth-sized 20-gauge shotgun for his son, which the police considered the murder weapon. They had a baby on the way after all. Low around 40F. Jordan Brown talks about the confusion he felt for years following his detention in a juvenile delinquency facility for the death of 26-year-old Kenzie Marie Houk, in an interview with Juju. AsABC Newsreports, Jordan was confused and unaccompanied as he was taken to the county jail. Bongivengo pointed to that information as the reason for the second charge homicide of an unborn child. Most children who are imprisoned have their case examined within a year at the most, while Jordan's case languished for years before he was even officially charged with anything (viaNew Castle News). He too drove a black truck but investigators quickly determined that it would have been impossible for him to have made the 24-mile drive over to the house without disturbing the snow on his hood from earlier that day. Cloudy skies after midnight. Bongivengo described Houks older daughter who will be 8 next month as the main witness. But there was another suspect they weren't considering: Houk's ex-partner, Adam Harvey, who Houk was reportedly terrified of and she even had a protective order against him. David H. Acker and Dennis A. Elisco, Jordans attorneys, describe Janessa as perhaps the most critical witness in this case. After attending court proceedings since Jordans arrest, Jack Houk said he does not think hell go to any more hearings. The girls are the children of Houks daughter, Kenzie Marie Houk, who died Feb. 20, 2009. 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. They now had the unfortunate responsibility to contact Chris Brown and tell him that not only was Kenzie been killed, so had his unborn baby. If convicted, he could become the youngest person in U.S. history to be sentenced to life in prison without parole. She even had a stepson through Chris in the form of his 11-year-old son Jordan. Lawrence County District Attorney John Bongivengo noting that under Pennsylvania law he had no choice has charged the boy as an adult. Winds light and variable. Lamancusa revealed he had provided unspecified legal advice to Jordans father, Christopher Brown. Be Nice. Attorneys for a 12-year-old boy charged with homicide are seeking information regarding a key witness. racist or sexually-oriented language. Be Proactive. They are now 12 and 9, respectively. The family went home and grieved together. Jordan Brown was charged as an adult Saturday with killing Houk The blanket was found at the scene with a singed, quarter-sized hole. The boy's attorney, Dennis Elisco, did not immediately return a Jordan Brown, who was 11 at the time, is charged with shooting a pregnant Houk as she lay on her bed Feb. 20. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Use the 'Report' link on You have permission to edit this article. "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. 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. In a criminal complaint released yesterday, Jenessa Houk told police she had just finished putting on her socks and shoes Friday morning when she heard a "big boom." The 7-year-old girl then. Christopher left for work that morning, while the kids and Houk got ready for their day. blanket and came back downstairs to Houk's bedroom and shot her in She was good with people.. But he still had to wait until 2018 for his charges to be officially overturned. He knew the For now, it's a life interrupted for Jordan, as his lawyers begin the process of appealing the judge's decision. "I know my son. 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. Both follow in their mothers athletic footsteps and both have chosen Olympic gold-medal-winning gymnast Gabby Douglas and their mother as role models. 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. Join Facebook to connect with Jenessa Houk and others you may know. Without any help or treatment, he cant be rehabilitated. dangers of a gun.". You have permission to edit this article. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, 11-year-old boy who was about to become her stepson. Jordans second interview revealed that not only had he seen a black truck in the driveway, hed also seen someone inside it. But eventually, he noted, the 7-year-old implicated him. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. experienced hunters at a turkey shoot. In July 2018, Jordan Brown was set free. The worker quickly called 911 and waited for Pennsylvania State Police to arrive. At around 3:30 am, Chris awoke to the police pounding on his door. They interviewed 7-year-old Jenessa four times, but only recorded the fourth interview. (AP Photo/Thhe Houk Family). He is in a state of disbelief and shock., Elisco echoed Bongivengos words, saying this is an extremely tragic situation.. Chance of rain 60%.. Rain earlythen remaining cloudy with showers overnight. "The case is obviously not over," said Elisco. He was no longer facing life in prison. Houk was found after her younger daughter alerted a nearby work crew. The boy faces life in prison, Bongivengo said, explaining the death penalty is not an option because of his age. It is not possible that it could have been anyone else.. This petition starter stood up and took action. 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. For Houk's daughters Jenessa and Adalynn, they face a life without a mother. Bongivengo explained that children between the ages of 10 and 18 normally are treated as juveniles. Lawrence County District Attorney Joshua Lamancusa, who took office Monday after being elected in November, has a conflict of interest. Investigators believed with substantial evidence, that the son of Houks fianc, Jordan Brown, who was 11-years-old at the time, had committed the murder. Thats, like, the only thing I really want people to know.. 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. This being rural Pennsylvania, this was not uncommon and neither was Jordan knowing how to shoot. Debbie Houk said she believes the police have pieced together what happened and solved the case. Kenzie Marie Houk, 26, shared the two-story white frame farmhouse on Wampum-New Galilee Road with her two daughters, her boyfriend Christopher Brown and Jordan, his son. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Especially with the media frenzy surrounding the case. Since she was a little girl and in pure shock, the police couldn't interrogate her. 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. Police say she initially said nothing unusual happened that morning before school. They say Brown As for Jordan, he seemed to have no idea what was happening. But the district attorneys office turned down the request on the grounds nothing Janessa has said had been put down in writing. "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. At first, it appeared that Kenzie had some sort of medical emergency related to the pregnancy. But he had been at work during the shooting, so he couldnt have done it. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a16991fef3235fa Im not angry. They interviewed 7-year-old Jenessa four times, but only recorded the fourth interview. He gets all the breaks. His ability to overcome adversity thats been thrown at him in life is astonishing. She anticipates adding volleyball and track this year. Winds light and variable. Jordan lived at the Edmund L. Thomas Adolescent Detention Center for three years before his trial, and was later moved to other facilities. "The boys and girls, the kids that he's with, they're pretty harsh kids. Christopher Brown was not home at the time of the shooting, Bongivengo said, adding police had confirmed he was at work by 7 a.m. Police determined that Houk was killed with a single shot in the back of the head with a youth model shot gun. "The judge is saying in order to be tried as a juvenile you need to admit that you've done the crime. "To try to explain to a 12-year-old what the rest of your life means it's incomprehensible for him. At around nine a.m. on February 20, 2009, after Chris had gone to work and Jordan and Jenessa had left for school, tree trimmers who had been hired to do some work around the property came upon a . The girls receive counseling, she noted, but the family is trying to keep their lives as normal as possible. There was a consistent backlash in the case as the years dragged on. Use the 'Report' link on On February 20, 2009, 26-year-old Kenzie Marie Houk and her unborn son, Christopher were murdered. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. Several times during Saturdays press conference, the district attorney said he could not comment, including when asked if the boy had confessed. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. According to Bongivengo, who called the crime heinous, the 4-year-old didnt hear the shooting. Attorney Dennis Elisco said the evidence that will come out in trial will show that Jordan did not commit this crime. Browns son, Jordan, 14, is charged in her shooting death as well as the death of her unborn baby. On the morning of Feb. 21, 2009, attorney Dennis Elisco met a boy who changed his life. In the meantime, I keep them busy and they keep me busy.. You have permission to edit this article. Prosecutors stand ready to bring the Jordan Brown case to its conclusion. You have permission to edit this article. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. 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. "He's an average 12-year-old," said Jordan's father Chris Brown. Wampum. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism Not only that, but Janessa recalled waiting in the living room for Jordan when she heard a big boom echo through the house. He also didnt seem to know where Kenzie lived. 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. But in the five years since the shooting, Jordan has not received the help he needs, she said. Well, it was not an easy road for the Brown family. Winds light and variable. Kenzie Houk's younger daughter Adalynn describes finding her mom dead . In the past, Harvey had warned that he would kill Houk, threatening her and her new family after finding out that Adalynn was not his biological child. Martin waited for another officer to arrive and then went with him into the bedroom. Chance of rain 60%. 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. Be Proactive. Flick: The original Jake? Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. As the result of the investigation, which reportedly included statements from Janessa Houk who was 7 when the shooting occurred Jordan was charged with two counts of homicide in the death of Houk and her unborn child. Don't Threaten. The 26-year-old shared the New Beaver Borough home with her fiance, Chris Brown, his . A Bloomington native is in the running to be the next face of Inked magazine. "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.'". that is degrading to another person. lot when his Dad wasn't around.". I just dont get it.. We'd love to hear eyewitness By that point, Jenessa had changed her story. "I'll never cook that turkey. Home. Christopher Brown, Jordan's dad, was working at the time, so he had an alibi (perABC News). Kenzie Houks mother has sued Chris Brown, asking that her granddaughters photos be removed from the Jordan Brown trust fund website. Elisco arrived at the state police station before the press conference had ended, in search of the district attorney. Jordan Brown was released from a juvenile detention facility in June 2016, months before his 19th birthday, and ordered to remain on probation until 21-years-old. Jordans conviction was eventually overturned due to insufficient evidence. "Mentally, he's gotten quite an education there," Brown said of the 13-months his son has spent in the facility. Then, around 2011, prosecutors chose not to try him as an adult in the fatal shooting, as they had initially planned. or anything. 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. racist or sexually-oriented language. In 2020, when he was 23 years old, Jordan embarked in a lawsuit against the state police officers involved in his case (via Ellwood City Ledger). No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism (AP Photo/The Houk Family). Low around 40F. So he was ruled out as a suspect pretty quickly. The arrest of an allegedly murderous fifth-grader quickly found its way onto the Internet and onto network news. Eventually, at 14, Jordan was found delinquent and sentenced to be held at juvie until 21. 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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. He admitted to police that he and Kenzie argued about money but much as that seemed like viable motive on his part, it still couldnt be him. Winds light and variable. Join Facebook to connect with Janessa Houk and others you may know. "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. In it, the girl said she had heard a shotgun blast before she and Jordan had left the house to catch a school bus. 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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. reporters the boy also told his son he wanted to kill Kenzie and 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. Most critical witness in this case Houks daughter, Kenzie Marie Houk, who called the crime him a. Legal advice to Jordans father, Christopher were murdered an allegedly murderous fifth-grader found! N'T around. `` Borough home with her, Kenzie Marie Houk and others you know! Houk 's daughters Jenessa and Adalynn, they 're pretty harsh kids a consistent backlash in the,... 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For his charges to be officially overturned being uncomfortable and tormented by Brown, was working at jenessa houk interview scene a... After attending court proceedings since Jordans arrest, Jack Houk said jenessa houk interview believes the police have pieced what.

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