Since he never changed his story and maintained his innocence, his father believed him. Martin waited for another officer to arrive and then went with him into the bedroom. That led to the transfer of prosecutorial responsibilities to the attorney general. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Bloomington-Normal music teacher sentenced to 88 years on sexual assault, child porn charges, Bloomington homes evacuated Saturday after car strikes house, gas line, Bloomington native vying for tattoo magazine cover, Lawsuit: Normal police battered, arrested woman without cause, McLean County deputies find vehicle wanted in homicide investigation. Jordan's life has a bit more normalcy now that he has left prison. Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. "Mentally, he's gotten quite an education there," Brown said of the 13-months his son has spent in the facility. Winds light and variable. 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. Both girls are doing well in school, have friends and are surrounded by family, their grandmother said. The girls receive counseling, she noted, but the family is trying to keep their lives as normal as possible. There were two main theories: either a stranger had broken into Houk's home after the kids left for school and murdered the 26-year-old. The morning of her murder, Houk had asked Browns father if he could stay home from work with her. The 26-year-old shared the New Beaver Borough home with her fiance, Chris Brown, his . Live. Keep it Clean. On Valentine's Day, he beat out many older and more "Jordan had told (my son around Christmas) he was going to pop Kenzie Houks family is coming along since she was taken from them five years ago. After all, he has post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD] due to this. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Police turned to other suspects. It was a decision that would haunt him from that day on. "I know my son. In prison, Jordan spent a majority of his time reading fiction, learning guitar, and playing basketball, so hes now hoping to continue that. They are now 12 and 9, respectively. Lawrence County District. Lawrence County District Attorney John Bongivengo noting that under Pennsylvania law he had no choice has charged the boy as an adult. Before the murder, there were multiple accounts of Houk being uncomfortable and tormented by Brown. It sounded to her like a gunshot, but when Jordan appeared none the worse for wear, he didnt think anything of it. came downstairs with two guns, but returned upstairs after Houk's Attorney Dennis A. Elisco, who is representing Jordan, confirmed Christopher Brown was the father of Houks baby. 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. This includes photographs, references to or the identities of the minor. "To try to explain to a 12-year-old what the rest of your life means it's incomprehensible for him. reporters the boy also told his son he wanted to kill Kenzie and Wampum. But in the five years since the shooting, Jordan has not received the help he needs, she said. At around 9 a.m., some tree trimmers arrived to do some work around the house. Be Nice. A little remorse on his part would help.. The declaration did not declare him innocent but it did mean he couldnt be retried. Despite the fact that the blended family had only just moved in together, they seemed to be bonding well. Supreme Court case banning the death penalty for juveniles in 2005. Her death was the result of a homicide. telephone call seeking comment Tuesday. person will not be tolerated. Pietrandrea said Houks request is reasonable. Christopher Brown, Jordan's dad, was working at the time, so he had an alibi (perABC News). 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. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. Im not angry. ", 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Houks suit states that names, identities and likenesses of the children are being used for fundraising purposes without the consent of the guardian and in violation of Pennsylvania law.. Use the 'Report' link on Their blended family dynamic seemed to be going well since the children all got along. On Monday, Jason Kraner, Kenzie's brother-in-law, told several In 2011, Amnesty International released a statement saying that due to Brown's age, his human rights were being violated, because he faced a lifetime in prison for something he was accused of in childhood. "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. dangers of a gun.". Be Proactive. They said hes getting counseling because his mother abandoned him as a baby, Debbie Houk said. 51K views, 80 likes, 1 loves, 226 comments, 24 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from ABC 20/20: For the first time, Kenize Houk's younger daughter Adalynn describes finding her mother dead inside their. 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. "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. He needs to admit what hes done and show some remorse, she continued. her daughters. She even had a stepson through Chris in the form of his 11-year-old son Jordan. Later, the 7-year-old girl told police she saw the boy drop 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. Its a shame that hes received no help whatsoever.. The investigators insisted that Jordan's motive must be jealousy over the new baby. racist or sexually-oriented language. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism Meanwhile, his father kept fighting for his freedom. The coroner said an unborn baby could survive only minutes after its mothers death. Kenzie Houks mother has sued Chris Brown, asking that her granddaughters photos be removed from the Jordan Brown trust fund website. He knew the But the district attorneys office turned down the request on the grounds nothing Janessa has said had been put down in writing. Elisco arrived at the state police station before the press conference had ended, in search of the district attorney. She had been shot in the back of the neck. experienced hunters at a turkey shoot. 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 told him, 'Don't you ever (AP Photo/The Houk Family). Thats, like, the only thing I really want people to know.. to get the boy released. Johnson said Houks pregnancy was 34 or 35 weeks along, meaning she was close to delivering the baby. Jordan was 11 at the time of the deaths. "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. Not only that, but Janessa recalled waiting in the living room for Jordan when she heard a big boom echo through the house. Corporal Jeffrey Martin was one of the first responders on the scene. Brown told "Nightline" he was "heartbroken" and "sickened by the judge's ruling.". Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, The 26-year-old shared the New Beaver Borough home with her fiance, Chris Brown, his son Jordan and her two daughters. Cloudy skies after midnight. Will you do the same? This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. 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. I think hes come to terms with whats happened to him. 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. They interviewed 7-year-old Jenessa four times, but only recorded the fourth interview. At first, it appeared that Kenzie had some sort of medical emergency related to the pregnancy. Brown and his attorneys agreed to that in motion court Monday morning, according to Houks attorney, Peter J. Pietrandrea of Cranberry. person will not be tolerated. Don't Threaten. But many argue 12 is simply too young to face the prospect of an adult sentence. Hes insightful, hes intellectual, hes introspective. 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. Based on the blood, it appeared as though she might have hemorrhaged somehow and sadly had died because of it. Be Nice. It's the same gun that killed my One Pennsylvania family's happy life was suddenly turned upside down in the blink of an eye. If convicted, he could become the youngest person in U.S. history to be sentenced to life in prison without parole. Houk's nephew reportedly heard Jordan make an alarming comment before the murder, which Debbie Houk says was swept under the rug. Explore. Brown is being held at the Lawrence County Jail, in a cell Chris had been at his job in the shipping department of a local tableware company when he received the news. In it, the girl said she had heard a shotgun blast before she and Jordan had left the house to catch a school bus. Suspicious. But of course, they miss their mother. Shows. 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. 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. 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. Jordan, who has been in custody since his arrest on Feb. 21, 2009, has never admitted guilt in the shooting. We'd love to hear eyewitness Use the 'Report' link on The blanket was found at the scene with a singed, quarter-sized hole. Browns son, Jordan, 14, is charged in her shooting death as well as the death of her unborn baby. We'd love to hear eyewitness Its a hard day for us. Jenessa Houk - PA Track and Field results and photos on Athletic.net Bongivengo who said no bond is normal in a homicide case noted the boy is segregated at the jail. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Police say she initially said nothing unusual happened that morning before school. Low 39F. What I would like to see is for the boy to get some help and for us to get freedom from this hurt.. As soon as the coroner began taking photos, Martin realized that what they were looking at was no complication or accident. According to Bongivengo, there were initial reports from the boy about a black truck in the area that the children didnt recognize. 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. Shows. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. lot when his Dad wasn't around.". Attorney Dennis Elisco said the evidence that will come out in trial will show that Jordan did not commit this crime. He gets all the breaks. Debbie Houk said she will still observe Adalynns birthday with cupcakes, but there wont be a party for a week or two. Family and friends gathered at the grave Thursday the fifth anniversary followed by a meal at the family home. Jordan lived at the Edmund L. Thomas Adolescent Detention Center for three years before his trial, and was later moved to other facilities. They say they remember that. As for Jordan, he seemed to have no idea what was happening. As an 11-year-old, Jordan was held at Edmund Thomas Adolescent Center in Erie County, Pennsylvania, until he stood trial. or anything. Keep it Clean. Winds light and variable. Cloudy skies after midnight. He said that after the older two children had left for school, she turned on the television and got herself something to eat. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Right now, Jenessa Houk lives in New Castle, PA. Jenessa maintains relationships with many people -- family, friends, associates, & neighbors -- including Kenneth Lauffer, Genevie Kelch, Stephanie Lauffer, Sherri Shaffer and Harold Cross. 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. Kenzies old boyfriend, Adam Harvey was another suspect the police originally liked for the murder. 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, Live stream: Jordan Brown news conference, Our view | Disorder in the court: Nine years far too long to decide homicide case, Jordan Brown released, but case remains under appeal, 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. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. 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. For the fifth time, the Houk family has marked the death of their Kenzie Marie and her unborn son. Plus, he cannot be recharged with the same offense, according to the court's ruling, according to New Castle News. But investigators believed the strongest piece of circumstantial evidence came from Jenessa. He fell to his knees in despair and once he had regained composure, made his way to the state police barracks. That little baby was perfect," Debbie Houk said. 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. Jordans second interview revealed that not only had he seen a black truck in the driveway, hed also seen someone inside it. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, At around 3:30 am, Chris awoke to the police pounding on his door. and her unborn baby boy the day before as she lay in her bed. Police arrived to find Houk lying on the bed downstairs in a pool of blood. It would be the last time he was home for years: the 11-year-old was going to be charged as an adult for Houk's murder, according toNew Castle News. Jordan Brown was charged as an adult Saturday with killing Houk We'd love to hear eyewitness I just dont get it.. Not long after theyd begun working, one of the tree trimmers noticed 4-year-old Adalynn standing in the doorway and crying that her mother was dead. He hopes to try and gain justice for the nearly 10 years of his childhood and teenage life that he spent behind bars. She anticipates adding volleyball and track this year. So how and why was Jordan finally exonerated? 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