When his mug shot was taken, Jordan Brown said, he was crying. magazine column: 'The test showed her left ear isn't anything to worry about. More than two years after he was charged, a judge ruled that his case would be moved from adult to juvenile court. Pour en savoir plus sur notre utilisation de vos informations, veuillez consulter notre Politique relative la vie prive et notre Politique en matire de cookies. It comes after Ella celebrated her third birthday at the weekend, with Ola taking to Instagram to share a picture from the party. "I can remember just looking at Jordan and feeling like we had failed him. When I left for court, and that was only every couple of months, that was the only time I would be able to actually see outside, he recalls. Time flew when you were reading.". Everybody always feels so sorry for poor little Cinderella, but what about me? This is something I wouldnt wish on any other parent out there., He added that his sons reports while in detention were all positive. Houk was engaged to be married to his father, Chris Brown, and 8 and 1/2 months pregnant. 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. The five of them became a blended family, and the three kids acted as actual siblings from the get-go. He said he needed to drive four hours every day to visit Jordan Brown because "he's my son. Investigators said the gun smelled like it had recently been fired. "[I] went downstairs, got my clothes, went in the bathroom [and] got dressed. The shooting of Kanzie Marie Houk, 26, and her unborn child, occurred on the morning of February 20, 2009. I just want to graduate college, you know, get a job in my major and, I don't know, just be successful," Jordan Brown said. Shes bawling and crying., Were going through hell, he said. 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. But investigators believed the strongest piece of circumstantial evidence came from Jenessa. He was 20 years old. He said he is adamant his daughter learns to hit back if someone hits her first. Finally, the truth finally got out," Jordan Brown said. Here is what you need to know about his case. They took that from Jordan. Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Ola, 40, and fellow twinkle-toed star James, 44, welcomed three-year-old Ella to the world in 2020. Attorney Dennis Elisco said Browns father is grateful and happy about the decision. And with the focus on his son's legal plight, Chris Brown said his grief for the loss of his fiance and their unborn baby had to take a back seat. Once the Pennsylvania Superior Court ruled that this violated Browns constitutional rights, the presiding judge recused himself from the case, and a new judge, John W. Hodge, ruled that Brown be tried as a juvenile. On February 20, 2009, the 8-month pregnant mother of two was shot in the back of her head while sleeping in the Pennsylvania home she shared with her family. There's not a single piece of physical evidence. 2023 Cox Media Group. (This account of the case is pulled from reports by ABC News, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and Post-Gazette and available court documents.). And then they took me straight to the county jail," Jordan Brown said. 'So I will be teaching Ella to never hit. Lawrence County Prison/Beaver County Times/AP, File, Man Wrongfully Convicted of Killing Malcolm X Is Suing N.Y.C. His conviction was overturned. Published on January 13, 2022 01:10 PM. Soon after, one of the tree-trimming workers spotted Houk's other daughter, 4-year-old Adalynn, in the doorway, sobbing and saying her mother was dead. The shooting. Taylor Smith speaks exclusively with "GMA" about the incident that left a fellow teen, Jordan Holgerson, with broken ribs and punctured lungs. The Stepsister Speaks Out By Peg Kehret It isn't easy being the ugly stepsister. Jordan Brown, who'd been in custody throughout the investigation and trial, was eventually sent to George Junior Republic juvenile detention center in Grove City, Pennsylvania. Its been a long road., Chris said then that while much his sons life was lost behind bars, the future was now available: I think what matters most is moving on from this day forward and what you do from this day on.. Jordan Brown, now 21, recalls his arrest at age 11 for murder. Browns father and attorneys spoke during a news conference Monday. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Jordan Brown Speaks After Murder Conviction Is Overturned Crime Charged with Murdering Dad's Fiance When He Was 11, Now 21-Year-Old Speaks After Court Freed Him Jordan Brown was a. ", "My sister Jenessa woke me up," Jordan Brown said. I mean, I think the whole, like, what happened and the way it happened is B.S.," Jordan Brown said in an exclusive interview with ABC News' Juju Chang that aired on 20/20. Despite this,. She wrote: 'So Ella had the most amazing birthday party today with all her friends and family - thank you so much for everyone pulling together to create such an amazing day. Chris Pleasance explains how James spoke out about his strong stance on how Ella defends herself against others in the world. Her right ear definitely has glue ear. And in July 2018, the court sided with Jordan Brown, writing that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania had failed to prove Jordan Brown guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Retired Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Bobby McGraw, one of the investigators on the case, said he is still confident that Jordan Brown committed the murders. He has said the boy hasn't confessed to the shooting and he doubts the physical evidence will support police's claim that the boy killed Houk with one shot to the back of her head. (AP Photo/Lawence County Prison via Beaver County Times. Jordan Anthony Brown, an 11-year-old charged for the murder of Kenzie Marie Houk in Wampum, PA, is shown in this photo provided by the Lawence County Prison in New Castle, PA. Brown is the. "There's a murderer walking amongst us that has been overlooked," Chris Brown said. At the age of 4, the latter discovered her mother's remains. And I was in there. And none of us wanted to put handcuffs on an 11-year-old. When his mug shot was taken, Jordan Brown said, he was crying. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. "Because the juvenile system only has jurisdiction until he's 21, the last thing I want is a 21-year-old who's going to be out on the streets and willing to kill you," Bongivengo said. Suffering from the loss and not having any answers. And that made me happy. 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. Ola said that she was 'cringing' when James was talking to Ella as they could be overheard. The 11-year-old's photo made it to the cover of a London newspaper. 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. magazine: 'I said to her, "Listen, it was really naughty that that boy hit. And I would assume every trooper who investigated that case feels the same way. Jordan Brown said he has "mixed feelings" about what happened to him. That's, like, the only thing I really want people to know.". There were no fingerprints. It would be another eight months before Jordan would stand trial for double homicide. I didn't know where I was at, like, what was going on or anything," he said. Then-11-year-old Jordan Brown was charged in 2009 in the shooting death of his father's pregnant fiance, Kenzie Houk in New Beaver, Lawrence County. In this conversation. Got the shotgun for ChristmasBrown got the youth-sized shotgun as a Christmas present, and used it to win a turkey shoot on Valentine's Day. Chris Brown said. Brown's son, Jordan, 14, is charged in her shooting death as well as the death of her unborn baby. exclusive interview with ABC News' Juju Chang. "There is not a trooper on scene that day that has lost one second of sleep over this case.". I'd, like, lose myself in the book. The first place they put him was in a solitary confinement suicide watch cell, in an adult facility," says Brown's attorney, Alec Wright. "They told me that [she and] the baby were gone, and I remember collapsing in the yard," Chris Brown told ABC News' Juju Chang. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. But when she was re-interviewed, police say she had a startling recollection. But the decision exonerated him and prevented a retrial. Jordan Brown was a fifth-grader in February 2009 when Pennsylvania police arrived to take him away as the sole suspect in the shotgun slaying of his dads pregnant fiance, Kenzie Houk. Hodge also determined that the case should not be open to the public or news media. Judge Hodge put Brown on probation in the custody of an uncle who lived in Ohio, just across the border from Lawrence County. Happy family:It comes after Ella celebrated her third birthday at the weekend, with Ola taking to Instagram to share a picture from the party. Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. 'They don't want to put grommets in at the moment so they're going to check her again in about three months and see how it is. While awaiting trial, Jordan Brown was housed for three years at the Edmund L. Thomas Adolescent Center, a juvenile detention facility in Erie County, Pennsylvania. "It's kind of a bittersweet feeling, you know. Police say she initially said nothing unusual happened that morning before school. That way I know what was trying to be said, and then that's how I read," he said. In 2009, Jordan Brown was charged with murdering 26-year-old Kenzie Houk as she slept at their home in Wampum, Pennsylvania. "You're a kid. He said that getting ready for school that day in February 2009 was "just a normal morning. And after years of legal. They found that the evidence was consistent with the theory that either Jordan was responsible or that someone else was to blame, but that his guilt was not clear. Finally, it felt like a big weight had been lifted off of me. But still, that side of it, that suffering from the loss and not having any answers, knowing he was falsely accused and the route the prosecutor and investigators took on this, the inadequate investigation. He believes there was a rush to judgment. On Sister Wives, Paedon Brown, who is Christine and Kody Brown's 23-year-old son, is finally speaking out about his experiences as a member of a famous polygamous family. "And I just remember looking at him thinking, 'How can this kid have any more hope?'". Still, a juvenile court judge found Jordan Brown, now 14, delinquent in the case. Chris Brown said he drove every day, 230 miles round trip, to see his son in detention. Please enter valid email address to continue. "I lost it.". "But", I said, "If someone hits you, you hit them back". His conviction was overturned. Ola and James Jordan have spoken out about their daughter's health troubles after she struggled to hear properly. Palm Springs residents sue to remove 25-foot Marilyn Monroe statue depicting her iconic My Daily Horoscope: What does 2nd March hold for MY star sign? "And I just remember looking at him thinking, 'How can this kid have any more hope?'". Both attorneys say they would like the investigation to be reopened so that the Brown's family can finally have justice. But then I got to the point where it didn't bother me at all. Watch this report from Action News at Noon on October 19, 2018. M ichael Jordan, widely considered the greatest basketball player in NBA history and the lone African-American majority owner of a franchise, has decided to speak out on the country's growing racial and social unrest. That fueled a media frenzy," Elisco said. I mean, I think the whole, like, what happened and the way it happened is B.S.," Jordan Brown said in an exclusive interview with ABC News' Juju Chang that aired on 20/20. It's been a nightmare for nine-and-a-half years." "I'm not angry. I used to hate it. "They put me in the back of the car and they took me to the police barracks. Houk is the legal guardian of her granddaughters. "A judge finding a juvenile delinquent is effectively a guilty verdict. What life is like now for man arrested at age 11 for murder. Jordan Brown denies killing Houk. Then-11-year-old Jordan Brown was charged in 2009 in the shooting death of his father's pregnant fiance, Kenzie Houk in New Beaver, Lawrence County. During his incarceration, Jordan taught himself to play guitar and said he became a pretty good basketball player. After he was arrested and charged with the murders of both Kenzie Houk and her unborn child, Jordan Brown was held at the Lawrence County Jail. This included her new fianc, Chris Brown, his son, Jordan Brown, and her two daughters, Jenessa and Adalynn Houk. He told Hello! A shell from the gun was found on the path that Brown walked to get to his school bus each morning. Vous pouvez modifier vos choix tout moment en consultant vos paramtres de vie prive. Overwhelmed with joy," said Chris Brown. That's where the case took us. If Adalynns account is considered authentic, Kenzie died a long time after Jordan, her then-11-year-old suspected and later acquitted killer, was last at home. The great betrayal: How journalist Isabel Oakeshott leaked Matt Hancock's WhatsApps after they worked Don't just stick to the Malbec! You know, if something happened, tell me. The trial lasted three days. The officers had a warrant to arrest 11-year-old Jordan Brown. And I believe in that.'. (We) went to school.". Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. And in July 2018, the court sided with Jordan Brown, writing that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania had failed to prove Jordan Brown guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. And they took it from him at 3 a.m., in the middle of the night, with flashlights pointed in his face, for a crime he didn't commit. That's, like, the only thing I really want people to know.". Watch the full story on ABC News' "20/20" on FRIDAY at 10 p.m. Houk, 26 and about eight months pregnant with Jordans little brother, was found dead in her bed on Feb. 20, 2009. At around 8:15 a.m., Jordan Brown said, he and then-7-year-old Jenessa, one of Houk's daughters, left the house to catch the school bus. He graduated high school with a 3.9 grade-point average and is doing well in college Im interested to see what life brings down the road for him., Brown said he would like the case to be reinvestigated given his sons overturned conviction. And then they took me straight to the county jail," Jordan Brown said. )YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MileHigherPWebsite: http://milehigherpodcast.com/Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/milehigherpodcastiTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/3HMLJYYTuneIn: http://tun.in/piSACStitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/mileGoogle Play: https://play.google.com/music/m/I3jeiINSTAGRAM FOR UPDATES: MileHigherPodcast Twitter: @MileHigherPodWatch my documentary, apartment 801: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZZSPREQUESTS: General case suggestion form: https://forms.gle/QPuMGXTv65mD6ZCW6 Form for people directly related/ close to the victim: https://forms.gle/ysjFLesK7oauoKrh6Join my discord to chat with other viewers about this video, its free! Ultimately authorities argued that it was jealousy over his changing family that drove Jordan to murder his soon-to-be stepmom. Jordans father, Chris Brown, has remained by his side, persuaded by his sons unwavering plea of innocence. exclusive interview with ABC News' Juju Chang. In a 20/20 special airing Friday, Nov. 19 at 9:01 to 11 on ABC, the sibling who placed the 911 call, Jordan Turpin, speaks out alongside one of her sisters in an exclusive interview with. After shooting Houk, the boy ran to get on a school bus with the 7-year-old, who saw him toss something from his pocket on the ground, Bongivengo said. "If I would read something and come across a word I didn't know, [I would] look it up. 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. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Investigators said the gun smelled like it had recently been fired. Thats, like, the only thing I really want people to know.. Today, Adalynn Houk is 16-years-old and still finding herself while staying close to family in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Healthy mother-of-two, 32, collapsed and died from brain bleed while she led fitness bounce class. And last year the couple were concerned after Ella battled a chronic ear infection, leading her to undergo a series of tests. However, some officials claim that after so many years, Adalynns report may not be credible. Jordan, then a fifth grader, said he didn't understand what he was being accused of. "I gave him every opportunity. Prosecutors argued in court that Jordan committed the murder and proceeded to get on the school bus not long after. On the morning. Police also said they found a 20-gauge shotgun shell casing in pristine condition next to the family's driveway and found some evidence of gunshot residue on Jordan's clothing. Chris Brown said he drove every day, 230 miles round trip, to see his son at the center. This past July, Browns conviction was overturned by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Brown is being held at the Lawrence County Jail, where jail officials said they don't have adequate accommodations for someone that young. It come after James spoke out about his strong stance on how Ella defends herself against others in the world. Tonight, Jordan Brown, 21, will speak publicly for the first time about being charged with the double-homicide of his fathers fiancee and their unborn child when he was just 11. Condition: Ella was diagnosed with glue ear, which is when the empty middle part of the ear canal fills up with fluid which can cause temporary hearing loss, according to the NHS, Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. And just feeling so sorry for him at that moment," Jordan Brown's lawyer Steve Colafella told ABC News. He said he was against physical violence but that he firmly believed if you are attacked you should defend yourself and that this is something children should learn from an early age. Courtesy Chris Brown Chris said Jordan plans on living life like any normal 20 year old. Its something I wouldnt wish upon any parent out there, he told reporters in July, according to the Tribune-Review. "They put me in the back of the car and they took me to the police barracks. "I just want to be successful. Now 21, Brown, who spent more than. With Jordan Brown close by his side, Chris Brown shared how he felt when he learned that his son was exonerated. The loss of her mother continues to hang over her head like a dark cloud and affect her, but time is gradually healing all wounds, helping her move on with her life in the most productive ways possible. While awaiting trial, Jordan Brown was housed for three years at the Edmund L. Thomas Adolescent Center in Erie County, Pennsylvania. Its good to have Jordan back, to have him at home and the ability to put this behind us and move on. You heard it from my mouth," she said.. I used to hate it. Inside the Browns' farmhouse, police found handguns, rifles, and several rounds of ammunition. Then, they drive off in the victim's vehicle. It's cable. As the seventh child out of 18, he's been around a while and has witnessed more drama among his family members than the younger kids. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. TIMELINE: Jordan Brown case (16 of 59) State's high court sets hearing on teen's case +2 +2 Kenzie Houk's family is "coming along" since she was taken from them five years ago. Elisco says he believes the public's interest only grew after someone at the Lawrence County Jail released the booking photo of Brown. I think has just ruined us [from] ever having closure and the person who did this, and for the person who actually did this to pay for it.". "You took an 11-year-old's childhood away from him. "If this person were 18, we'd be looking at pursuing the death penalty," Bongivengo said. Im innocent. / CBS Pittsburgh. On June 13, 2016, more than seven years after his arrest, Jordan Brown was released from juvenile custody, two months before his 19th birthday. "This case was investigated by some of the finest police officers in this country, plain and simple. "[He] never changed his story. Chris Brown said. While awaiting trial, Jordan Brown was housed for three years at the Edmund L. Thomas Adolescent Center in Erie County, Pennsylvania. IE 11 is not supported. An investigator on the case, since retired, told ABC he was sure of Jordans guilt. 12h ago. "I made an announcement. Calisthenics teacher returns to alma mater to help Philly students, Police chase stolen U-Haul van through Philly; 4 arrested, Pandemic hunger relief program comes to an end. for $40 Million, Ga. 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Man Exonerated of Taco Bell Murder After Serving 23 Years in Prison, Plastic Surgeon Confesses to Murdering Wife, Throwing Body from Plane Decades After Conviction, Six Years After Being Charged with Murder at Age 11, Jordan Brown May Get New Trial, Scott Peterson's Sister-in-Law Claims New Evidence Proves He's Innocent of Killing His Pregnant Wife, Cosby Survivor Andrea Constand 'Disappointed' by His Overturned Sexual Assault Conviction, Trial Begins for Boy, 11, Charged with Shotgun Murder, the shotgun slaying of his dads pregnant fiance. Houk was a 26-year-old mother of two, died yesterday from a shotgun blast to the back of her head. Go to https://expressvpn.com/kendallrae and find out how you can get 3 months free! En cliquant sur Accepter tout, vous acceptez que Yahoo et nos partenaires traitent vos informations personnelles et utilisent des technologies telles que les cookies pour afficher des publicits et des contenus personnaliss, et des fins de mesure des publicits et des contenus, dtude des audiences et de dveloppement de produit. An exclusive preview is above. However, she does 'understand' because she wants her child to stand up for herself. The system is very, very wrong., While the Brown family has asked for a new investigation into Houks death, it remains unclear if authorities have decided to take a new look at what happened. "I'm not angry. And with the focus on his son's legal plight, Chris Brown said his grief for the loss of his fiance and their unborn baby had to take a back seat. "She was interviewed four times against protocol, on the day her mother was found dead. "I'm innocent. "It cost me my job, and what money that I had coming in went into the gas tank and went into things that he needed," Chris Brown said. "It's extraordinarily rare that the case with this magnitude was overturned on lack of evidence," said Brown's attorney Collafella. They also found a 20-gauge shotgun that belonged to Jordan. Jordan was tried by a juvenile judge and in April 2012 was found delinquent analogous to guilty of first-degree murder and criminal homicide of an unborn child. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. I didn't know where I was at, like, what was going on or anything," he said. Accidents happen, buddy. Brown was charged after police found a youth-sized gun inside the house, which reportedly smelled like it had been recently fired, according to WKBN. 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. He said that getting ready for school that day in February 2009 was "just a normal morning. It had been a Christmas gift from his father because the two liked to go hunting together. At around 8:15 a.m., Jordan Brown said, he and then-7-year-old Jenessa, one of Houk's daughters, left the house to catch the school bus. "[I] went downstairs, got my clothes, went in the bathroom [and] got dressed.And . Some like it, NOT! 'If you get hit, and someone keeps hitting you and hitting you, what do you do? ABCs 20/20: My Son is Not a Monster is an episode that profiles the tale of Kenzie Marie Houks homicide with the help of interviews from all those involved. The tree trimmers called 911, and shortly thereafter, police contacted Chris, who was already at work that morning in the shipping department of a tableware company. Copyright 2023 ABC News Internet Ventures. Born on August 12, 1997, Jordan Brown and his father, Chris Brown, were a close duo who spent most of their weekends hunting in the nearby woods. The Sesh TW: https://twitter.com/the_seshpodcast MHP Merch: http://milehigher.com MILE HIGHER PODCAST (FREE TO LISTEN \u0026 WATCH!! Jordan Brown will speak publicly for the first time tonight on ABC News' '20/20'. FRIDAY: A father's fight to free his son, while police & the victim's family believe he committed murder. "Absolutely no evidence, direct or circumstantial, indicating that Jordan Brown committed this crime. Does the prince ever dance with me at the ball? James believes in the mantra so much that he says he doesn't care about any 'backlash' from 'woke people' because 'no one can tell me how to bring up my child'. The murder weapon, a youth-model Harrington & Richardson 20-gauge shotgun, was an Easter gift to Jordan from his father- they would often hunt together on the weekends. Attorney wants case movedDefense attorney Dennis Elisco has said he plans to ask a judge to move the case to juvenile court and to have the boy released on bail to his father. "Jordan Brown was a fifth-grader in February 2009 when Pennsylvania police arrived to take him away as the sole suspect in the shotgun slaying of his dad's pregnant fiance, Kenzie Houk. I'm never not going to be here every day,'" Chris Brown said. An 11-year-old boy apparently covered his shotgun with a blanket to keep it hidden when he left his bedroom, went downstairs and fatally shot his father's pregnant girlfriend in the head as she slept, a prosecutor said Monday. Investigators on the case tell ABC News, in that rural area of Pennsylvania, "It's fairly common, most - especially young males - would grow up with learning to shoot firearms.". "Kind of bittersweet, so to speak. 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. She then tried to wake up her mother and slowly realized what had happened when Kenzie wouldnt respond. Jordan Browns murder conviction has been overturned and now his attorneys and father are hoping officials will reopen the case; KDKA's Jon Delano reports. He is being kept separate from the jail's approximately 300 adult inmates. And for the first time, free after 7 years behind bars, Jordan Brown speaks out in an exclusive #ABC2020 interview. It would be another eight months before Jordan would stand trial for double homicide. Powered by. "(He) never changed his story. ", Mom of 2, stabbed 8 times, is making most of second chance at life, Couple had 'no respect' dumping close to a church, ABC13 viewer says, Man says Travis Scott punched him in face at Midtown nightclub. So now, lets find out more about her, including her current whereabouts, shall we?