February 10, 2010 3:25 PM

Kenzie Houk Shot in Cold Blood By 11-Year-Old Jordan Brown, Say Prosecutors

By
Ryan Smith
Topics
Daily Blotter
(AP Photo/The Houk Family)
(AP Photo/Lawrence County Prison)
NEW CASTLE, Pa. (CBS/AP) Kenzie Houk was eight months pregnant when she was found in her bed with a bullet though her head. Her fetus died with her.

But the suspect in the 26-year-old's murder last February may not be who you expect.

Photo: Kenzie Marie Houk with her daughter Adalynn.

PICTURES: Kenzie Houk Murdered

Jordan Brown was only 11 years old when Pennsylvania prosecutors say he shot Houk, his father's fianc?e.

Now a court will decide if Brown, at 12-years-old, will become one of the country's youngest murder defendants to be tried as an adult. The next hearing is March 12.

If Brown is tried and convicted as an adult, he faces life in prison. If convicted in juvenile court, he can only remain in detention until he is 21.

Photo: Jordan Brown.

PICTURES: Kenzie Houk Murdered

A defense psychologist testified Friday that an adolescent's brain does not control impulses in a "mature way."

Lawrence County Judge Dominick Motto continued the rest of the hearing to allow the prosecution's psychologist to examine Brown. That doctor will testify when the hearing resumes.

To her friends, Houk was a "warm-hearted" woman, whose life is "sadly missed" and was "taken too soon."

Brown's family is standing behind him. According to CNN, they want the case tried in juvenile court and believe the "all-American boy" who loves to hunt with his father Chris Brown and play football, is innocent.


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PICTURES: Kenzie Houk Murdered

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February 10, 2010 - Jordan Brown, 12, Could Be One of Country's Youngest Murder Defendants to Be Tried As Adult

Add a Comment
by wt5 June 29, 2011 12:52 AM EDT
There is something very suspicious in the way this case has been handled. The fiancé has been mentioned as a person of interest and would have the most to gain by the death of Kenzie Houk and her unborn child.

Jordan Brown has maintained his innocence throughout, even with the possibility of a speedy trial and spending time in juvenile hall and being released at some point in his life. Question: WHY are the authorities so anxious to have this child admit to something he did not do? Why did they only spend 5 hours investigating Kenzie's murder? Doesn't she deserve better than that?

If he is guilty, then let the courts decide. Why hasn't he been given a trial? Why are his rights being violated? "Whether he committed the crime or not every U.S. citizen, regardless of age, etc. and regardless of whether they are guilty or innocent has the right to a fair and speedy trial by an impartial jury...it says so in the sixth amendment of the constitution."

America has a shameful history of throwing innocent people in front of the bus, then trying to correct it later. Are we that lazy?

This is truly a miscarriage of justice and disgusting how this country is so willing to frame innocent people for crimes they didn't commit. However, this case is all the more disgusting and vile because this boy's life doesn't seem to matter one little bit.

We are a better country than that aren't we? Why are we so willing to look with disgust at other countries who treat their citizens in a shameful matter such as this, but WE turn around and do the same thing on a daily basis.

Jordan's case is highlighted with Amnesty International and Change.org. Before you make up your minds whether this child is guilty, advocate for justice and a trial and let the PEOPLE decide in a fair and judicious matter.
Reply to this comment
by rmagee3 February 16, 2010 4:07 PM EST
Irregardless of this young mans age, he willfully killed his stepmother out of anger or jealousy or whatever other reason he used to get rid of her. He should be tried and punished and rehabilitated if possible. I do however seriously doubt that anyone who takes this kind of action so early in life is salvageable. I have an 11 year old grandchild that has had to accept many trials in her life and never did she ever take a violent course of action. This subject is seriously damaged and no one is safe with him. He may need to be hospitalized in an establishment for the criminally insane rather than prison. Just as long as he doesn't get off with a slap on the wrist for killing someone!! Wake up people its only going to get worse. Read the papers. Anyone read about the professor who shot and killed her brother in 1986? She got away with it and now 3 other people are dead by her hand and 3 more are injured. You cannot excuse this type of behavior unless it is a clear case of self defense.
Reply to this comment
by proudmomof4boys February 13, 2010 9:02 AM EST
This is what is wrong with America today...we let people do whatever they want with little to no punishment. I have a 10 year old son, he knows NEVER to touch a gun, NEVER. He knows what murder is and how precious human life really is. If we, as Americans, would just stand up to defend the ACTUAL innocent ones, and stood up for what is right & wrong, if the guilty were actually punished (cable TV and no hard work in jail is not punishment) then I think we would see a HUGE turn around in this country. Let's take God out of some more things and see how quickly we slide down the slippery slope straight to h3!!
Reply to this comment
by newsterl February 13, 2010 2:48 AM EST
A defense psychologist testified Friday that an adolescent's brain does not control impulses in a "mature way."


Too bad, but he KILLED a woman and whether he had "control" or not, or is rehabbed or not, the woman is STILL dead, fry him.
Reply to this comment
by abutterflyloves February 11, 2010 12:58 PM EST
Nice of dad to knock up a 20 yr old, who already has a kid, and expect the 11 yr old, who is going through hormone changes, etc, to just accept it. Poor kid. Fry the dad.
Reply to this comment
by pak31 February 11, 2010 8:42 AM EST
While I do understand that children's brains process info different from an adult, children at that age should be aware that murder is NOT an option, that it is wrong in every way. The fact that a child could even consider commiting murder is shock enough. Something must be very wrong with this boy, child or not. I wasn't surprised to see that he was a hunter, so he knows how to handle a weapon. I also know that many children have hunted and don't think to do it to a person. But you have to think that if he has mental issues and can kill an animal with no problem then he can't make a distinction between the two. Basically for a child to murder there must be something very wrong with him. I don't know what the answer is, do away with him in society forever or find out why he did what he did? Did he know the act was permanent? Did he think she'd wake up? Lots of questions.
Reply to this comment
by RoboBlogger February 11, 2010 1:48 AM EST
Relation to the victim?
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