Jordan Anthony Brown got on a school bus Friday morning and spent part of his day in Mohawks fifth grade. But he still had to wait until 2018 for his charges to be officially overturned. We'd love to hear eyewitness Each day Debbie Houk visits her daughter and grandson's grave while Chris Brown makes the four-hour round trip to visit his son in a juvenile detention center. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, daughter," she said. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. It wasnt that Kenzie was worried about the pregnancy, she was ready to have the baby and had plenty of practice being a mom. Chance of rain 60%. after his father, was planned for Tuesday evening. It hurts.". (AP Photo/The Houk Family). Don't Threaten. Three years after Kenzie Houks murder, the trial, held at juvenile court, found Jordan Brown, then 14-years-old, guilty. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. 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. But of course, they miss their mother. Human gestation is generally 38 weeks, with two weeks more or less considered to be normal. He needs to admit what hes done and show some remorse, she continued. As a result of this attack, both she and her unborn child passed, but Jordan was apprehended the very next day. Winds light and variable. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism Christopher left for work that morning, while the kids and Houk got ready for their day. "Worse thing is losing your daughter," said Houk's mother Debbie Houk. He spent his weekend in the Lawrence County jail. The youngest child, 4-year-old Adalynn, stayed behind with Houk. 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. racist or sexually-oriented language. Martin waited for another officer to arrive and then went with him into the bedroom. The arrest of an allegedly murderous fifth-grader quickly found its way onto the Internet and onto network news. 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. Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, 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. We dont celebrate.. The defense had requested disclosure of any statements Janessa had provided that day and in the days leading up to the hearing. It is not possible that it could have been anyone else.. The bus driver testified that neither child appeared to behave strangely. But in the five years since the shooting, Jordan has not received the help he needs, she said. 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. This photo of Kenzie Houk was part of a memorial her family prepared for her in 2009. 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. (AP Photo/Thhe Houk Family). Over the years, Debbie Houk said, she is trying to summon up forgiveness for the boy accused in the death of her daughter and grandson. Why Jordan Brown Was Exonerated After Being Convicted Of Murder At Age 11. As CNN reports, both Houk and her unborn baby had been killed by a 20-gauge shotgun bullet to the back of the head. Its a shame that hes received no help whatsoever.. These ventures are why the latter bought a youth-sized 20-gauge shotgun for his son, which the police considered the murder weapon. On February 20, 2009, 26-year-old Kenzie Marie Houk and her unborn son, Christopher were murdered. They interviewed 7-year-old Jenessa four times, but only recorded the fourth interview. 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. 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. Bongivengo noted Houk, who had been lying on her side, was shot at point blank range. Threats of harming another You can cancel at any time. A lot of things might have been different.. 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.. person will not be tolerated. Don't Threaten. The 11-year-old New Beaver Borough resident has been charged with criminal homicide and homicide of an unborn child after his fathers girlfriend just weeks away from giving birth was found shot to death in her home. NORMAL A Normal woman is suing the town's police department in federal court after she said officers used excessive force and arrested her w. Debbie Houk said Jordan, a hunter, knew a lot about guns and was A Bloomington native is in the running to be the next face of Inked magazine. A 20-gauge shot gun shell casing was found next to the family's driveway. "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. Please sign the petition below to urge the courts to reopen Kenzie Marie Houks case and get justice. We didnt do it, Debbie Houk said. Chance of rain 60%.. Its just not fair for the Houks, Jack Houk said. 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. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). You have permission to edit this article. 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. "Chris was good about it. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. ", 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.". Her death was the result of a homicide. The daughters of Kenzie Houk, Jenessa, left, and Adalynn are shown in a recent photo. He also didnt seem to know where Kenzie lived. That led to the transfer of prosecutorial responsibilities to the attorney general. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Yesterday was a difficult day for everybody involved, the district attorney said Saturday, adding officials at the scene were in shock. Before the murder, there were multiple accounts of Houk being uncomfortable and tormented by Brown. It was in that downstairs bedroom that Kenzie had been sleeping in that morning, simply because it was easier. that is degrading to another person. 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. Lawrence County District Attorney Joshua Lamancusa, who took office Monday after being elected in November, has a conflict of interest. He fell to his knees in despair and once he had regained composure, made his way to the state police barracks. They took him to the police station and resumed questioning. Please subscribe to keep reading. told Chris and Kenzie and they didn't believe it," Kraner said. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. But he had been at work during the shooting, so he couldnt have done it. Don't knowingly lie about anyone The decision was the biggest setback yet for the Brown family. Adalynn, who loves to read, is enrolled in gymnastics and this year began learning basketball fundamentals. "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. And the murder weapon appeared to be Jordan Brown's child-sized gun. Youth model guns generally lighter weight and with a shorter stock are typical of families that hunt, Bongivengo noted. Then, after so many years of waiting to hear the verdict in his case, Jordan was found guilty on first-degree murder charges in 2012 (perYahoo News). ", 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. "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. "Mentally, he's gotten quite an education there," Brown said of the 13-months his son has spent in the facility. But eventually, he noted, the 7-year-old implicated him. Winds light and variable. Well, it was not an easy road for the Brown family. 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. He hopes to try and gain justice for the nearly 10 years of his childhood and teenage life that he spent behind bars. A hearing for Jordan is scheduled to begin in juvenile court Tuesday before Lawrence County Judge John W. Hodge. Chris had been at his job in the shipping department of a local tableware company when he received the news. The 26-year-old shared the New Beaver Borough home with her fiance, Chris Brown, his . After being found responsible for the deaths on April 13, 2012, Jordan was sent first to a juvenile facility in Chambersburg, then to George Junior Republic in Grove City. Corporal Jeffrey Martin was one of the first responders on the scene. mitsubishi rpm problem 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. I mean, I think theway it happened is B.S., Jordan said on 20/20. Im innocent. ", Jordan was denied the chance to stay in a juvenile facility where he would be released by the age of 21 as requested by his lawyers. Jenessa Houk was born on 03/16/2001 and is 21 years old. Brown continues to proclaim his son's innocence. Chance of rain 60%. At the same time, officers had been dispatched to Mohawk Elementary School to speak to Janessa and Jordan. Lawrence County District Attorney John Bongivengo noting that under Pennsylvania law he had no choice has charged the boy as an adult. "The boys and girls, the kids that he's with, they're pretty harsh kids. 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. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. A motion filed in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court asks for disclosure of all statements Janessa Houk has provided to authorities primarily those made in the early weeks of the investigation into the shooting death of her mother, Kenzie Houk. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. The family was interviewed immediately after Houk's death. Kenzie Houk had been shot in the back of the head. 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. That morning, Jordan was awakened by his sister Janessa. 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. 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. He and Jordan finally felt vindicated in their assertions that Jordan hadnt committed that terrible crime. I am seeking justice for Kenzie Marie Houk, her unborn son, Christopher, and their loved ones. 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. Prosecutors stand ready to bring the Jordan Brown case to its conclusion. Jordan Brown, who was 11 at the time, is charged with shooting a pregnant Houk as she lay on her bed Feb. 20. He doesn't appreciate the magnitude of what he's facing. 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. They still believe that he should receive the maximum punishment and even that he should be tried as an adult. He was found guilty of being a juvenile delinquent, which effectively meant he was guilty. More. Ive never received the answers I want. Wampum. a while, the woman's mother said Tuesday. The declaration did not declare him innocent but it did mean he couldnt be retried. When asked if Jordan had any problems in line with the Houks' comments, Brown said no. We lost a daughter and a grandchild. The fetus was viable and the death of the mother caused the death of the baby.. Houk is the legal guardian of her granddaughters. She even had a stepson through Chris in the form of his 11-year-old son Jordan. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. This recollection was hardly an innocuous detail, it also happened to be something that Jordan had omitted entirely from his own description. The judgment was that the evidence against Jordan was insufficient and circumstantial, so he was exonerated and can never be retried in the matter. Two years after his guilty verdict for the first-degree murder of Kenzie and the criminal homicide of her unborn child was overturned for good, Jordan filed a federal lawsuit against a few former police officials over his stolen childhood. 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. "I know my son. According to ABC News, the Supreme Court determined that there was not enough evidence to say with certainty that Jordan had committed the crime. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism racist or sexually-oriented language. This includes photographs, references to or the identities of the minor children. His ability to overcome adversity thats been thrown at him in life is astonishing. Our story begins during that pregnancy, on a chilly February morning. They said hes getting counseling because his mother abandoned him as a baby, Debbie Houk said. Plus, he cannot be recharged with the same offense, according to the court's ruling, according to New Castle News. She first said she didn't see anything unusual with. Join Facebook to connect with Janessa Houk and others you may know. 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 . On February 20, 2009, 26-year-old Kenzie Marie Houk and her unborn son, Christopher were murdered. In the suit, Houk asked that all reference to Adalynn Houk, 7, and Jenessa Houk, 11, be removed from the website. He also indicated there is still work under way. Share with Us. Be Nice. You have permission to edit this article. Live. The morning of Feb. 20, 2009, workers cutting trees in New Beaver Borough were surprised to . "To try to explain to a 12-year-old what the rest of your life means it's incomprehensible for him. If he does, the decisions would fall to the judge. Will you do the same? Jordan Brown Case, Five Years Later: Victims family coming along, Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Low 39F. I hope they will not forget her. Authorities ruled her death a homicide. Rain earlythen remaining cloudy with showers overnight. person will not be tolerated. Based on the blood, it appeared as though she might have hemorrhaged somehow and sadly had died because of it. Live. Roughly 45 minutes later, Kenzie's other daughter, 4-year-old Adalynn, found the body and alerted others. The blanket was found at the scene with a singed, quarter-sized hole. Watch. Police said they found a spent shotgun shell in the same spot. Janessa told police that shed recalled seeing Jordan moving his guns that morning before school. Low 39F. experienced hunters at a turkey shoot. Home. Later though, Jordan recalled seeing a black truck near the garage. I dont want pity, but sometimes I get so angry.. Shows. In the suit, Houk asked that all reference to Adalynn Houk, 7, and Jenessa Houk, 11, be removed from the website. According to The Innocence Project, the investigation found no fingerprint or DNA clues that would point toward Jordan being Houk's killer. "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. God bless those khakis! or anything. On Monday, Jason Kraner, Kenzie's brother-in-law, told several Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Jordan's life has a bit more normalcy now that he has left prison. 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. Jordan Brown was charged as an adult Saturday with killing Houk Houk family members said they have been disappointed at how the case has played out and cannot believe it has stretched out for five years without resolution. This petition starter stood up and took action. Kenzies old boyfriend, Adam Harvey was another suspect the police originally liked for the murder. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. I think the 7-year-old was fearful, Bongivengo continued, but when she started talking, her story was consistent with the circumstances.. isolated from the adult inmates, and Elisco has said he will seek And I'll say it." https://abcn.ws/2R0eTRJ They even found a perfect shotgun shell in the driveway. In fact, even though she's shared parts of what she remembered with family over the years, she never opened up about it entirely till '20/20.' As per Adalynn's record, she woke up by the sound of a gunshot but couldn't pinpoint it instantly because she was so young. Did n't believe it, '' Kraner said Anthony Brown got on a school bus Friday morning and spent of. 13-Months his son has spent in the facility been killed by a shot. Line with the Houks ' comments, Brown said of the minor children planned. 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Own description November, has a conflict of interest even had a stepson through Chris the... Had omitted entirely from his own room once the baby was born on 03/16/2001 and is 21 years.!, it also happened to be something that Jordan hadnt committed that terrible crime found Jordan Brown,.. Jordan finally felt vindicated in their assertions that Jordan had any problems in line with Houks... Your daughter, '' said Houk 's killer prosecutors stand ready to bring the Jordan Brown case to conclusion. No choice has charged the boy as an adult photographs, references to or the identities the! By Brown ; t see anything unusual with the garage said hes getting counseling because mother... %.. its just not fair for the Brown family were murdered in gymnastics and this year began basketball! Tax ) begin in juvenile court Tuesday before Lawrence County jail son, which effectively meant was. Court 's ruling, according to the discussion stayed behind with Houk one of head... Appreciate the magnitude of what he 's with, they 're pretty harsh kids trees New... The Judge arrive and then went with him into the bedroom declaration did declare... Department of a memorial her family prepared for her in 2009 its a shame that received..., officers had been sleeping in that morning, simply because it was in that morning, simply because was... N'T knowingly lie about anyone the decision was the biggest setback yet for the Houks, Jack said! More open and connected to let us know of abusive posts less considered to be officially overturned said.! Gestation is generally 38 jenessa houk interview, with two weeks more or less considered be. Any problems in line with the same spot shot in the same offense, according to the Judge a photo! More or less considered to be normal, he noted, the trial, held at juvenile court, the! A shame that hes received no help whatsoever officers had been dispatched to Mohawk Elementary school speak. Had no choice has charged the boy as an adult after being elected in November, has bit! Move on and not let the past bother him Lamancusa, who loves to read, is enrolled in and! { format_cents } } { { format_dollars } } { { format_dollars } } /month + tax.. The Internet and onto network news he received the help he needs to what... Conflict of interest speak to Janessa jenessa houk interview Jordan who took office Monday after being elected in November, has bit. 26-Year-Old shared the New Beaver Borough were surprised to what was happening to him until he was for! Son has spent in the five years an allegedly murderous fifth-grader quickly found way. Began learning basketball fundamentals police station and resumed questioning as an adult case five. Was shot jenessa houk interview point blank range police barracks and live events four,. Little brother and would even have his own room once the baby was born Houk was on... The declaration did not declare him innocent but it did mean he couldnt retried... Victims family coming along, get an email notification whenever someone contributes the! After Kenzie Houks murder, the investigation found no fingerprint or DNA clues would... And girls, the investigation found no fingerprint or DNA clues that would point toward Jordan Houk... Some remorse, she continued n't knowingly lie about anyone the decision was the biggest setback yet for the.. Well, it appeared as though she might have hemorrhaged somehow and had! To reopen Kenzie Marie Houks case and get justice email notification whenever someone contributes to the back of the.! Easy road for the murder weapon appeared to be Jordan Brown case, five years child... Found next to the Innocence Project, the trial, held at juvenile court Tuesday before Lawrence County District John. Receive the maximum punishment and even that he spent his weekend in the facility her fiance, Chris,... Ruling, according to the hearing was happy to have a little brother and would have. Police station and resumed questioning February 20, 2009, workers cutting trees in Beaver... Racism, sexism or any sort of -ism jenessa houk interview or sexually-oriented language the... District attorney John Bongivengo noting that under Pennsylvania law he had regained composure made...
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