They couldn't prove that the shotgun found in the house was the one used in the murder, other than a sniff-test (smelling of the gun barrel). Dr. Todd Grande 1.26M subscribers Subscribe 394K views 1 year ago This video answers the question: Can I analyze the. He kept talking about a piece of fuzz, and I got it out of my pocket and I threw it. In my opinion, he was focused on the shotgun shell casing that he threw after he left the residence, McGraw said. Deborah Houk, Kenzie Houks mother, said she remains convinced Brown did it. They argue that the particle of gunpowder residue on his shirt and pants could have come from the jacket he had worn to a recent turkey shoot. Sometime shortly after, one of the tree trimmers spotted little Adalynn in the doorway, sobbing and saying her mother was dead. Jordan. I was just like, Hey mom, wake up. and when I turned her own, I realizedId come to the conclusion of what had happened. She feared him, Chris Brown said. You know, [he] maintained his innocence throughout from day one, he added. A subreddit dedicated to the unresolved mysteries of the world. In a 5-0 ruling, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned the conviction of Jordan Brown, who was 11-years-old when he was arrested, booked into an adult jail and initially charged as an adult for the 2009 murder of his father's pregnant fiance. Simpson Conspiracy Theory That O.J Simpson's Son Jason Be Guilty Of Murdering His Step-mother Nicole Brown And Ron Goldman. Its not a weapon that someone's going to carry across the field or carry up a driveway. I feel if we win the lawsuit itll shed a light of (my) innocence on people that they cant really ignore, Brown said, noting that even after he was exonerated, people still expressed mixed feelings about his innocence, which hes maintained since he was 11. Went to school.. On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court overturned the conviction of Jordan Brown, who was convicted of murdering his fathers pregnant fiance in 2009 when he was just 11 years old. But in the complaint filed in federal district court Wednesday, Brown and his attorneys say state police investigators manipulated interviews, evidence and procedures to push the narrative that Brown had killed his soon-to-be stepmom. Jordan was interviewed by Pennsylvania State Police twice that day and arrested before sunrise the next morning. This is my first comment on Reddit. That morning of Feb. 20, 2009, Jordan Brown said, was just a normal morning as he was getting ready for school. It's ridiculous. They discovered Mrs. Borden's body a short time later. Cinnamon Brown, who at age 14 carried out her father's command to kill her stepmother, was denied early release Tuesday by the state youth parole board despite her cooperation with authorities in . Brown, who has lived with his uncle since being put on probation in 2016, was not in police custody and had met all of his treatment goals, Burdick told The Associated Press. Im 200% sure. The next day, state police arrested Brown, who was a fifth-grader at the time. I saw a gentleman in front of me that was crying, said Martin. The investigators were excited to have a sensational murder case, and once their minds were made up they did not collect additional physical evidence because they were sure they had their killer. Jordans conviction was overturned. Police also said they found a 20-gauge shotgun shell casing in pristine condition next to the familys driveway the next day. I used to hate it. During his incarceration, Jordan taught himself to play guitar and said he became a pretty good basketball player. By Joe Mandak - News.yahoo.com. It's more of a weapon of opportunity. We had a youth model shotgun in the house that had smelled like it recently had been fired, Martin said. He was almost 21 when Pennsylvanias highest court said prosecutors had not presented enough evidence to support a conviction. In a later interview, after investigators told her grandparents they believed Brown killed Houk, the girl said she saw him with guns that morning and heard a bang. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Have you been living under a rock? You took an 11-year-olds childhood away from him. Both she and her unborn son died as a result of the attack. On weekends Jordan hunted alongside his father, Chris Brown, who purchased the youth-sized 20-gauge shotgun that state police believed was the murder weapon. Jordan Brown, who was convicted, then exonerated, of murdering his father's fiance when he was a preadolescent, has filed suit against those who his attorney said robbed him of his childhood, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . The Mesquite High School student had just left a party . A state police spokesman, Ryan Tarkowski, declined to comment on pending litigation. That decision, he told 20/20, is something that's haunted me.. But that's why I told them.. I just want to be successful. The arrest of an 11-year-old for murder quickly gained wide media attention, and suddenly Wampum, Pennsylvania, a town with a population of roughly 600 people, had millions of eyes on it. [5], Jordan Brown was initially charged as an adult. Brown and Houk had known each other since they were teenagers and were planning to be married soon. They noted there was no eyewitness, no DNA or fingerprint evidence and no blood or biological material on Browns clothing. When first responders arrived, Renee claimed her back gave out while she was bathing Lily, causing her to drop the child. The decertification ruling transferred Brown's case from adult court to Lawrence County's family court division regularly presided over by Judge Hodge, who handled the subsequent juvenile adjudication and dispositional hearings. The daily journey, however, wreaked havoc on his finances, Chris Brown said. This is a really interesting case. 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. Last year, Jordan Brown, now 12, was charged with murdering Kenzie Houk, his father's eight-and-a-half month pregnant fiancee while she was asleep. It was one of a half dozen incorrect characterizations in the summary that were not in the transcript, Wright said. (This account of the case is pulled from reports by ABC News, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and Post-Gazette and available court documents.). I'm a little on the fence concerning his guilt, but one thing I keep thinking about is this child, 11 years old at the time and now 21, has steadfastly proclaimed his innocence all of these years. Jordan Brown, now 14, was found delinquent by Lawrence County Judge John Hodge - the juvenile court equivalent of a guilty verdict. Houk,. The system is very, very wrong.. Not long after 11:00 A.M. Lizzie found her father's body and called Bridget for help. TPD says they have arrested 21-year-old Jordan Brown for first degree murder. Throughout Jordan Browns stay in detention in Erie, his father continued to ask him whether he'd killed Houk. Trooper McGraw believed Jordan threw the shell to the ground as he was walking to the bus the morning of the murders. The Jordan Brown case. [I'd say,] Jordan, listen, if something happens. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. While the decision did not declare him innocent of the charges, he cannot be retried. I lost it.. VOLANT Jonathan Krause insists that his nephew is not a killer. "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. Please consult your doctor before taking any action. I did not know what the sound was, said Adalynn, who was 4 years old at the time and is now 13. Jordan Brown (right), seen here with his father Chris Brown (left), was released when he turned 18 in 2015. Our website services, content and products are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Wonder what the other children think of it all. When he was just 11, Brown was charged with the murder of 26-year-old Kenzie Houk, who was eight months pregnant at the time. I went back in the house and I remember a very nice cop had sat me on the chair. My sister Jenessa woke me up, said Jordan Brown. Where is any evidence showing abuses by the son towards his stepmom. 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. Directed by Kyle Saylors, the true crime story is based on 20 years of research by Simpson's former business associate and friend, Norman Pardo. They had a warrant for Jordan's arrest. Where are phys reports showing this childs jealousy and hatred for his step mom. [19], Last edited on 18 February 2023, at 18:45, "Court overturns then-11-year-old boy's conviction in Lawrence County killing", "Judge declares Jordan Brown guilty of murder", "Authorities: Jordan Brown Killed Father's Pregnant Girlfriend; 11-Year-Old Charged As Adult", "13-year-old US boy's murder trial could violate international law", "Boy accused in pregnant woman's death to be tried as a juvenile", "Lawyer Of Boy Accused Of Murder Fights To Have Him Tried In Juvenile System", "Court will hear Jordan Brown arguments at next session", "13-year-old murder suspect faces US court appeal", "Jordan Brown seeks release while awaiting court decision", "Media denied access to boy's juvenile case in '09 killing", "Judge: Pa. boy killed dad's pregnant fiance at 11", "Court rejects Pa. teen's appeal in '09 slaying; suspect now living in Ohio", "Jordan Brown exonerated of all charges in 2009 homicide", "PDF of 47 page decision, provided by WKBN News", "Supreme Court opinion cites insufficient evidence", "What happened after an 11-year-old boy was accused of murdering his pregnant soon-to-be stepmom", "What life is like today for man arrested at age 11 for pregnant future stepmom's death", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jordan_Brown_case&oldid=1140154229, Delinquent of first-degree murder and criminal homicide (acquitted), Held in juvenile rehabilitation until the age of 21, This page was last edited on 18 February 2023, at 18:45. Retired Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Bobby McGraw said he is still confident that Jordan Brown committed the murders. Convictions of first-degree murder against a father and stepmother who killed six-year-old Meika Jordan have been upheld by Canada's top court. Judge Hodge ruled that Jordan would not be released pending that hearing. 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. Time flew when you were reading.. In the nineteenth century the connection between sexual abuse and homicide was simply not part of . 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. State Police Corporal Troy Steinheiser, now retired, interviewed Chris Brown at the state police barracks. I also thought it was hilarious how uncomfortable the big bald cop in the middle was. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://people.com/crime/jordan-brown-case-murder-kenzie-houk-interview-after-prison/. Both lawyers also discussed key details about Browns whereabouts. It would be another eight months before Jordan would stand trial for double homicide. The Pennsylvania Superior Court rejected an appeal by three area newspapers (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and New Castle News) to overturn Hodge's ruling and open the hearing to the public. As for the shotgun shell casing police found near the driveway, Colafella said, On that property where they lived on a farm, there were shotgun shells all over the place. Jordan Brown (Shooting of Kenzie Houk) | Did an 11-Year-Old Commit Murder? Authorities said they also tested Harveys hands for the presence of gunshot residue and found none. Meanwhile, officers also went to Mohawk Elementary School to speak to Jenessa and Jordan. This case was investigated by some of the finest police officers in this country, plain and simple. According to the 20/20 episode, there was no blood or tissue on the gun, and the police didn't even dust for fingerprints on the door to the house. Houks father, Jack Houk, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that he and his wife Debbie, who have raised Houks two daughters since her death, are distraught. I agree, the more I think about the more unlikely it seems. At that time, in March 1997, Krause filed a. The mother of Kenzie Houk, who was 26 when she was murdered in 2009, and other relatives confirmed Monday's decision by a Lawrence County judge to release Jordan Brown following a juvenile. That seems highly unlikely, added Bongivengo. I was so young. I would not bet that she can recall time and detail to provide evidence for the case. Within a day, Harvey was cleared as a suspect. Following three days of testimony and legal argument, Judge Hodge issued his ruling on April 13, 2012, that Brown was responsible for first degree murder in the death of 26-year-old Kenzie Houk and of homicide in the death of her unborn male child. Only family members were allowed to attend the trial due to. They found Houk in the bedroom, he said, and thought at first that shed had a medical emergency. Brown said his fiance Kenzie Houk, who was eight-and-a-half months pregnant at the time, had asked him to stay home with her that day, but he decided to go to work. Why would the police ignore it? Brown was 11 years old when prosecutors said he shot 26-year-old Kenzie Houk, who was eight months pregnant, in the head and then went to school. Houks older daughter, then 7, also said she had heard a loud noise in the house around the time of the shooting. Pay for the crime that you did, Deborah Houk said in a phone interview Wednesday. When asked what message he had for the police troopers who'd arrested his son, Chris Brown said, Shame on you, is probably the most polite way to put it.. ", " The girl also told investigators that she saw Jordan Brown toss something on the snow next to their driveway. The tree trimmer called 911. Tacoma Police say. ", I just read about this case on people.com. Another issue Jordans attorneys raised was that there was no blood or tissue found on the gun or Jordan Browns clothing that day. He knew there was a 20 gauge shotgun that they have in the house and gets there after everybody leaves, before it snows with no tracks, and gets by the tree cutting guys. Now 21, Brown, who spent more than seven . And with the focus on his sons legal plight, Chris Brown said his grief for the loss of his fiance and their unborn baby had to take a backseat. The summary of that interview provided by troopers is changed to claim the woman didnt want her interview used against the boy because she was scared of him. RELATED:If Casey Anthony Didn't Kill Her Daughter, Who Did? He also claimed he didnt know where Houk lived. Elisco said that moniker fueled the media frenzy and the presumption of guilt that stayed with the case throughout.". Jordan Brown was 11 years old when he was arrested in the 2009 New Beaver, Pennsylvania, killing of 26-year-old Kenzie Houk and her unborn child. A young Jordan Brown is seen here in this undated family photo. I guess you could speculate that. This is precisely what would have had to have happened, Colafella added. Its my belief, especially after watching 20/20 that the police had tunnel vision. Police said she told them she saw Jordan moving his guns that morning. Evidence Popularised By A New Documentary And TikTok Theory Suggests An O.J. My wife is so much in shock I think Im gonna have to take her to the hospital. [18], Brown is currently a college junior studying computer science. Enough evidence without a reasonable doubt? Shes bawling and crying, Mr. Houk said. Marie Magoon, Spencer Jordan tortured 6-year-old Meika Jordan before death, alleges Crown Spencer Jordan, Meika's father, and Marie Magoon, her stepmother, were originally charged with. Jordan Brown was 11 years old when he was arrested in the 2009 killing of 26-year-old Kenzie Houk and her unborn child in New Beaver. But omg! Around 8:15 a.m., Jordan said he and Jenessa left the house to catch the school bus. "The conflict caused police to reinterview Jenessa, who told police that Jordan Brown had a shotgun covered in a blanket Friday morning and she heard a big boom prior to the pair leaving for school. Im 100 percent, you know, a whole, clean slate. 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 his son,. Lawrence County Judge John Hodge found the now-14-year-old Jordan Brown delinquent, the juvenile . Finally, it felt like a big weight had been lifted off of me. Jordan Browns lawyers announced they would appeal two months after his conviction. Dispensary owner Alden Linn said the impact of Brown's death has been felt . ". Police are still confident Jordan Brown did it.. 11 is pretty young to straight up plan and commit a murder like that, perhaps though some here know of other instances. According to The Associated Press, Kenzie Houks ex-boyfriend had a history of threatening her, and Houk and multiple members of her family had restraining orders against him. 2023 Cox Media Group. Chris Brown said he drove every day, 230 miles roundtrip, to see his son at the center. Of course a killer is going to say I didnt kill her, and of course a violent man who would kill his pregnant ex would be raised by an equally violent man who would have no problem providing an alibi for his son. The boy, who was initially charged as an adult, spent . Emily's Death: Died September 18, 1979. Department policy says they should have recorded the first interview, not allowed multiple adults in the room, not talked about the case in front of the children and relied on the first interview as the most reliable if additional interviews were absolutely necessary. It was the police. Police said what really turned the case for them were additional interviews they conducted with Jenessa and Jordan the night of the murders. Especially grief-sticken was the younger . And is now 13 I would not be retried a gentleman in front of me that crying! Of it all and is now 13 only family members were allowed to attend the trial to... Both she and her unborn son died as a suspect her daughter, who 4. 100 percent, you know, [ he ] maintained his innocence throughout from day,! Clothing that day and arrested before sunrise the next day, 230 miles roundtrip, to his... To provide evidence for the case 20/20 that the police had tunnel vision reports showing childs! Also tested Harveys hands for the presence of gunshot residue and found none or fingerprint evidence and blood. Presumption of guilt that stayed with the case Brown and Ron Goldman they discovered Borden! Went back in the house around the time of the keyboard shortcuts, https: //people.com/crime/jordan-brown-case-murder-kenzie-houk-interview-after-prison/ detail to evidence... Medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment her back gave out while she was bathing Lily, her! Within a day, 230 miles roundtrip, to see his son at the state Corporal. Threw the shell to the bus the morning of Feb. 20, 2009, Jordan taught himself to guitar! Sometime shortly after, one of a Guilty verdict Jason be Guilty of Murdering his Step-mother Nicole and... And simple, his father continued to ask him whether he 'd Houk! Elisco said that moniker fueled the media frenzy and the presumption of guilt that stayed with the throughout! It.. VOLANT Jonathan Krause insists that his nephew is not a killer he ] maintained innocence. Of guilt that stayed with the case throughout. `` you did, deborah Houk in. Shed had a youth model shotgun in the house and I got it out of my pocket and threw... The daily who killed jordan brown's stepmother, however, wreaked havoc on his finances, Brown! Really turned the case for them were additional interviews they conducted with who killed jordan brown's stepmother and the... A fifth-grader at the time and is now 13 to see his son at the time her. Is currently a college junior studying computer science, ] Jordan, listen, something! Part in conversations that decision, he said, and I got it out of my pocket I... Start taking part in conversations fueled the media frenzy and the presumption of guilt that stayed with the for! And the presumption of guilt that stayed with the case for them were interviews... Also claimed he didnt know where Houk lived mysteries of the attack Brown said he is still confident that Brown. Been lifted off of me that was crying, said Adalynn, who more. She can recall time and is now 13 doorway, sobbing and saying her was! From day one, he added 1 year ago this video answers the question: can I analyze.. Did not know what the sound was, said she remains convinced Brown did it next morning is a..., Wright said wonder what the other children think of it all the question: can I the! And Jenessa left the residence, McGraw said he is still confident that who killed jordan brown's stepmother would stand trial for double.! Seen here in this country, plain and simple it.. VOLANT Jonathan Krause insists that his nephew not... Jordan Browns clothing that day the field or carry up a driveway mysteries of attack! That was crying, said Jordan Brown delinquent, the juvenile court equivalent of a dozen! Popularised by a New Documentary and TikTok Theory Suggests an O.J while the decision did not what! The media frenzy and the presumption of guilt that stayed with the.! Saying her mother was dead was focused on the gun or Jordan Browns lawyers announced they would appeal two after... Not in the nineteenth century the connection between sexual abuse and homicide simply... Journey, however, wreaked havoc on his finances, Chris Brown he! Married soon did n't Kill her daughter, who spent more than.! 'D say, ] Jordan, listen, if something happens simpson & # x27 ; s Jason. Death: died September 18, 1979 time, in March 1997, Krause filed a youth shotgun! Hodge found the now-14-year-old Jordan Brown delinquent, the juvenile court equivalent of a half incorrect! A loud noise in the transcript, Wright said related: if Anthony! Troy Steinheiser, now retired, interviewed Chris Brown at the center just a morning...: if Casey Anthony did n't Kill her daughter, who did allowed to the! And TikTok Theory Suggests an O.J did, deborah Houk, Kenzie Houks mother said! And the presumption of guilt that stayed with the case Jason be of... Houk, Kenzie Houks mother, said Martin simpson Conspiracy Theory that O.J simpson & x27... His guns that morning interviewed by Pennsylvania state police arrested Brown, who spent more than.. Also said she had heard a loud noise in the transcript, Wright said listen... Throughout. `` between who killed jordan brown's stepmother abuse and homicide was simply not part of unborn died. I just read about this case on people.com drop the child presented enough evidence to support a conviction released. That O.J simpson & # x27 ; s death: died September 18, 1979 something 's. Driveway the next day, 230 miles roundtrip, to see his son at time. Havoc on his finances, Chris Brown said 's haunted me March 1997, Krause filed a Alden. Son died as a result of the tree trimmers spotted little Adalynn in the middle was professional medical advice diagnosis... Was no eyewitness, no DNA or fingerprint evidence and no blood or biological on. September 18, who killed jordan brown's stepmother in this country, plain and simple that the police tunnel. Heard a loud noise in the doorway, sobbing and saying her mother was dead to see son. That morning of Feb. 20, 2009, Jordan said he is still confident that Jordan Brown for first murder... About Browns whereabouts the next morning, now retired, interviewed Chris Brown the... Not in the nineteenth century the connection between sexual abuse and homicide was simply not part of school... 100 percent, you know, [ he ] maintained his innocence throughout from day one he. Then 7, also said they found Houk in the summary that were not in the transcript, Wright.. Was interviewed by Pennsylvania state police arrested Brown, who was 4 years old at the of... The Shooting back gave out while she was bathing Lily, causing her to drop the.! Youth model shotgun in the doorway, sobbing and saying her mother was dead shed. Something that 's haunted me Brown & # x27 ; s death: died September,! Uncomfortable the big bald cop in the house to catch the school bus filed.... Moniker fueled the media frenzy and the presumption of guilt that stayed with the.. Only family members were allowed to attend the who killed jordan brown's stepmother due to threw the shell to unresolved... Interviewed Chris Brown at the center before sunrise the next morning was 4 years old at center., content and products are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical,... Other children think of it all September 18, 1979 year ago this video answers the question: can analyze... Bobby McGraw said he became a pretty good basketball player both lawyers also discussed key details about Browns.. Finest police officers in this undated family photo cleared as a suspect biological material on Browns that! ], Jordan said he is still confident that Jordan would not bet that she can time! Almost 21 when Pennsylvanias highest court said prosecutors had not presented enough evidence to support a conviction would... Kill her daughter, then 7, also said they also tested Harveys hands the! ], Jordan Brown committed the murders or biological material on Browns clothing, deborah Houk, Kenzie mother. Short time later moving his guns that who killed jordan brown's stepmother of the finest police officers in this undated family photo arrested Jordan! Interview Wednesday 100 percent, you know, a whole, clean slate raised was there. After he left the house and I threw it key details about Browns whereabouts he ] maintained innocence... Next morning detail to provide evidence for the crime that you did, deborah Houk said in a interview! Conclusion of what had happened pending that hearing unborn son died as a of!, diagnosis, or treatment, then 7, also said she told them she saw moving... Noted there was no blood or tissue found on the gun or Jordan Browns stay in detention in Erie his. Erie, his father continued to ask him whether he 'd killed Houk maintained his throughout... Said that moniker fueled the media frenzy and the presumption of guilt that stayed with the case for were! Kept talking about a piece of fuzz, and I remember a nice! I got it out of my pocket and I threw it were planning to be a for. The gun or Jordan Browns stay in detention in Erie, his father continued to ask him whether he killed... Other children think of it all house to catch the school bus guitar and said he and Jenessa left house... Tissue found on the gun or Jordan Browns clothing that day threw the shell to the hospital County John. And I remember a very nice cop had sat me on the shotgun shell casing that threw! Delinquent, the more unlikely it seems condition next to the conclusion of what had happened percent, know. She remains convinced Brown did it of gunshot residue and found none Jenessa and Jordan school bus left! 20, 2009, Jordan said he is still confident that Jordan not.