However, he noted officers had executed several search warrants, including one Friday that produced what they believe to be the murder weapon. telephone call seeking comment Tuesday. 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. In the suit, Houk asked that all reference to Adalynn Houk, 7, and Jenessa Houk, 11, be removed from the website. As part of procedure, they had to interview him and even swabbed his hands for gunpowder residue just in case. Not only that, but Janessa recalled waiting in the living room for Jordan when she heard a big boom echo through the house. Keep it Clean. 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. 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. He reported the baby was 19 1/2 inches long and weighed 7.4 pounds. Performance & security by Cloudflare. 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. I just dont get it.. We were encouraged to enroll her in a program where she could compete and be trained by international coaches. In the meantime, I keep them busy and they keep me busy.. A little remorse on his part would help.. Jenessa is a cheerleader for football and basketball and plays basketball on an AAU traveling team. Don't Threaten. Live. racist or sexually-oriented language. Yesterday was a difficult day for everybody involved, the district attorney said Saturday, adding officials at the scene were in shock. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Chris had been at his job in the shipping department of a local tableware company when he received the news. The defense had requested disclosure of any statements Janessa had provided that day and in the days leading up to the hearing. Use the 'Report' link on At around 9 a.m., some tree trimmers arrived to do some work around the house. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a16991fef3235fa He said Jordan can petition to have his case transferred to juvenile court and he can request bond. Meanwhile, Chris Brown was fighting for his childs innocence and lost his job because of it. He also indicated there is still work under way. Be Nice. Ignatz said the police investigating the slaying came from Troop D which covers Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence and Mercer counties. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. This includes photographs, references to or the identities of the minor. The district attorney said he works at Steelite, which is in an industrial park off Pulaski Road in Neshannock Township. He attended college to study computer science and criminal justice, in the hopes of becoming a civil rights attorney for the next generation of accused kids. I hope they will not forget her. 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. 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. Lawrence County District. PETE SIRIANNI | NEWS; May 18, 2018 May 18, 2018 Updated May 18, 2018; 0; Shenango's Jenessa Houk competes in the discus finals during the WPIAL championship meet at Baldwin High . Jordans second interview revealed that not only had he seen a black truck in the driveway, hed also seen someone inside it. Be Truthful. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, 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. Keep it Clean. 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. person will not be tolerated. He went downstairs, got his clothes out of his soon-to-be bedroom and got dressed. Looking back, I wish we had. person will not be tolerated. As soon as the coroner began taking photos, Martin realized that what they were looking at was no complication or accident. He was finally exonerated by the Supreme Court of the charges that had defined much of his childhood. The young man wasnt just a suspect in his step-mothers murder, he was the prime suspect. Jordan, who has been in custody since his arrest on Feb. 21, 2009, has never admitted guilt in the shooting. Well, it was not an easy road for the Brown family. 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 4-year-old called out to a team of tree trimmers, telling one of them that her mother was dead. David H. Acker and Dennis A. Elisco, Jordans attorneys, describe Janessa as perhaps the most critical witness in this case. Whoever killed Kenzie certainly did something that day, they tore apart what could have been a loving, happy family. Supreme Court case banning the death penalty for juveniles in 2005. You have permission to edit this article. We didn't believe it. Brown continues to proclaim his son's innocence. 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. Rain earlythen remaining cloudy with showers overnight. "They are serving a life sentence and I am, I ain't got my daughter no more," Debbie Houk said. Winds light and variable. But he had been at work during the shooting, so he couldnt have done it. Hes insightful, hes intellectual, hes introspective. Since he never changed his story and maintained his innocence, his father believed him. Im not angry. Christopher Brown, Jordan's dad, was working at the time, so he had an alibi (perABC News). Their court filing states Janessa was present the entire time Jordan was at the home that morning. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. After all, she already had two daughters from a previous relationship - 7-year-old Jenessa and 4-year-old Adalynn. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. He gets all the breaks. Before the murder, there were multiple accounts of Houk being uncomfortable and tormented by Brown. "The case is obviously not over," said Elisco. It appeared that neither of them had noticed anything unusual that morning. That led to the transfer of prosecutorial responsibilities to the attorney general. Kenzie in the head and pop both kids. Brown is being held at the Lawrence County Jail, in a cell Kenzie Houk had been shot in the back of the head. "Mentally, he's gotten quite an education there," Brown said of the 13-months his son has spent in the facility. On Monday, Jason Kraner, Kenzie's brother-in-law, told several It had been barely 18 hours since Kenzie was killed and already, Chris had lost his fiancee, unborn son, and his only remaining son. Be Truthful. According to Bongivengo, there were initial reports from the boy about a black truck in the area that the children didnt recognize. Attorney Dennis Elisco said the evidence that will come out in trial will show that Jordan did not commit this crime. Johnson said Houks pregnancy was 34 or 35 weeks along, meaning she was close to delivering the baby. It was in that downstairs bedroom that Kenzie had been sleeping in that morning, simply because it was easier. By that point, Jenessa had changed her story. He needs to admit what hes done and show some remorse, she continued. 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. Bongivengo who said no bond is normal in a homicide case noted the boy is segregated at the jail. Wampum. A Bloomington-Normal music teacher has been sentenced to 88 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to sexual as. Low 39F. (AP Photo/Thhe Houk Family). He is still six months away from turning 12. At first, it appeared that Kenzie had some sort of medical emergency related to the pregnancy. We'd love to hear eyewitness Houk was found after her younger daughter alerted a nearby work crew. He told him, 'Don't you ever Rain earlythen remaining cloudy with showers overnight. "I know my son. 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. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. They added that America is the only country on Earth where kids can be sentenced to a life sentence without the chance for parole. Use the 'Report' link on Their duties included securing the scene overnight, he noted Saturday, adding the troopers are pretty tired.. 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. lot when his Dad wasn't around.". (AP Photo/The Houk Family), This undated photo released by the Houk family shows Kenzie Marie Houk with her daughter Adalynn in Wampum, Pa. Eleven-year-old Jordan Brown is charged in the shooting death of the 26-year-old pregnant mother of two. Don't Threaten. Prosecutors stand ready to bring the Jordan Brown case to its conclusion. Kenzie Houk's younger daughter Adalynn describes finding her mom dead . Chance of rain 60%. If convicted, he could become the youngest person in U.S. history to be sentenced to life in prison without parole. In July 2018, Jordan Brown was set free. They had a baby on the way after all. Plus, he cannot be recharged with the same offense, according to the court's ruling, according to New Castle News. Now 16, Jordan was found to be responsible for the deaths. According to ABC News, the Supreme Court determined that there was not enough evidence to say with certainty that Jordan had committed the crime. Ellwood City Ledger reports that in order to get to the school bus with Jenessa, Jordan would have had only two minutes to murder Houk, clean the bullet debris off himself, clean the gun, and leave the house. Elisco has said he had no I miss her too, said Debbie Houk, who still stops almost every day at Parkside Cemetery, where her daughter and unborn grandson are buried. Chance of rain 60%.. He was no longer facing life in prison. Her statement was very credible. This story originally appearedFeb. 23, 2009, in the New Castle News. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. The blanket was found at the scene with a singed, quarter-sized hole. We that is degrading to another person. After attending court proceedings since Jordans arrest, Jack Houk said he does not think hell go to any more hearings. The fetus was viable and the death of the mother caused the death of the baby.. Watch. 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. 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. Despite the fact that the blended family had only just moved in together, they seemed to be bonding well. Jordan was 11 at the time of the deaths. (AP Photo/The Houk Family). Her case deserves to be reopened and reinvestigated. Her daughters Jenessa, 13 next month, and Adalynn, who turned 9 on Wednesday are growing up, Houks parents Jack and Debbie Houk of Shenango Township said. Be Proactive. 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. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. This has forever ruined her birthday, she said. Adalynn, who loves to read, is enrolled. Im not religious, but this is what were told to do. There was a chance that Jordan could be released much earlier, but it would be another eight months before he would stand trial for double homicide one count for the mother, one for the baby. "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. Then, the two siblings sat in the living room until the bus came. Police arrived to find Houk lying on the bed downstairs in a pool of blood. On February 20, 2009, 26-year-old Kenzie Marie Houk and her unborn son, Christopher were murdered. 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 youngest child, 4-year-old Adalynn, stayed behind with Houk. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Thursday morning. Houk's nephew reportedly heard Jordan make an alarming comment before the murder, which Debbie Houk says was swept under the rug. It was a decision that would haunt him from that day on. Of course, Kenzies family remains convinced that Jordan is responsible and that he was released on what is essentially a technicality. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism 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). As per the last reports, the 24-year-old currently resides in Ohio, studying computer science and criminal justice. Home. 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. On February 20, 2009, 26-year-old Kenzie Marie Houk and her unborn son, Christopher were murdered. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Bongivengo noted there is no law requiring guns be locked up, although obviously thats the smart thing to do, the safe thing to do.. Several times during Saturdays press conference, the district attorney said he could not comment, including when asked if the boy had confessed. The morning of Feb. 20, 2009, workers cutting trees in New Beaver Borough were surprised to . You have permission to edit this article. Use the 'Report' link on ", 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. It sounded to her like a gunshot, but when Jordan appeared none the worse for wear, he didnt think anything of it. 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. Why Jordan Brown Was Exonerated After Being Convicted Of Murder At Age 11. Winds light and variable. The girls are the children of Houks daughter, Kenzie Marie Houk, who died Feb. 20, 2009. "Worse thing is losing your daughter," said Houk's mother Debbie Houk. But for the family of Houk, 26, who was found shot in the head in her rural farmhouse in Western Pennsylvania in February 2009 -- just two weeks away from giving birth to her first son -- life in prison may not be as severe as losing a loved one. Police said what really turned the case for them were additional interviews they conducted with Jenessa and Jordan the night of the murders. And the murder weapon appeared to be Jordan Brown's child-sized gun. A hearing on it is scheduled for Jan. 29. Houk is the legal guardian of her granddaughters. 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. She even had a stepson through Chris in the form of his 11-year-old son Jordan. 2009. Jordan was released from juvenile detention in 2016, seven years after the murder of Kenzie Houk, since he had completed a slate of juvenile detention programs, per New Castle News. Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. She anticipates adding volleyball and track this year. The Houks gathered at the hospital to say goodbye -- not only to Kenzie Houk, but to their unborn grandson, who was to be named Christopher Jr. "It was horrible. that is degrading to another person. At some point, he continued, she went looking for her mother, found her body and called out to the tree trimmers, who were working about 30 or 40 yards from house. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. He didnt realize the gravity of what was happening to him until he was incarcerated for three to five years. But now, Jordan is trying to move on and not let the past bother him. He knew the daughters in a farmhouse in the rural western Pennsylvania town of But when a tree-service crew showed up at the house at 9, one of the workers observed Houk's 4-year-old daughter crying at the door that her mother was dead. Threats of harming another A 20-gauge shot gun shell casing was found next to the familys driveway. You have permission to edit this article. In prison, he taught himself guitar and how to play basketball, but it was still a prison. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. They are now 12 and 9, respectively. The following years saw Jordan Brown fighting for his freedom and reading the fantasy books his father brought for him. "The judge is saying in order to be tried as a juvenile you need to admit that you've done the crime. Or, Jordan had killed his dad's fiance due to jealousy over the new baby, then went to school without missing a beat. The worst pieces of circumstantial evidence, though, were that there was apparently traces of gunshot residue on his clothing and Jenessas recounting of that morning during her second police interview. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. racist or sexually-oriented language. But everybody put that aside and did their job to the letter.. Jordan Brown, who was 11 at the time, is charged with shooting a pregnant Houk as she lay on her bed Feb. 20. Join Facebook to connect with Janessa Houk and others you may know. Those evaluations are required by state law to determine if the youth is receiving adequate treatment. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Houk was a 26-year-old mother of two, died yesterday from a shotgun blast to the back of her head. Later, the 7-year-old girl told police she saw the boy drop Since she was a little girl and in pure shock, the police couldn't interrogate her. Janessa told police that shed recalled seeing Jordan moving his guns that morning before school. Human gestation is generally 38 weeks, with two weeks more or less considered to be normal. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. 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. a while, the woman's mother said Tuesday. That doesn't seem quite right to me.". Thats, like, the only thing I really want people to know.. She said the girls have seen photos and tapes of their mother and remark on her beautiful smile and that she always looked happy. According to The Innocence Project, the investigation found no fingerprint or DNA clues that would point toward Jordan being Houk's killer. Interviews they conducted with Jenessa and 4-year-old Adalynn cloudy with showers overnight the began... 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