NEW CASTLE —
The Jordan Brown case continues to demonstrate the distorted logic of how Pennsylvania handles juvenile homicide suspects.
Attorneys for the now-14-year-old-boy are petitioning the courts for his release, arguing his juvenile trial was not conducted in timely fashion. The matter is now on appeal.
So too is an effort by the New Castle News and two Pittsburgh newspapers to keep Jordan’s juvenile proceedings open to the public. The entire case has the look of a tangled mess.
And it all began because Pennsylvania law requires that juveniles who are accused of homicide automatically must be charged as adults. That’s what happened in February 2009, when Jordan — 11 at the time — was accused in the shooting death of Kenzie Houk, his father’s pregnant fiancée.
Shortly after the shooting, state police charged Jordan with two counts of homicide. That began a long and highly publicized legal journey that culminated last August in a local court decision declaring that Jordan’s case be transferred to juvenile court.
But by that point, the matter long had been the source of intense public scrutiny. And when Common Pleas Court Judge John Hodge proceeded with plans to close Jordan’s juvenile trial to the press and public, The News and the other newspapers objected, arguing the full story of the case needed to be told.
Last week, Pennsylvania’s Superior Court conducted a hearing on appeals of Hodge’s order. A ruling is now awaited.
Meanwhile, attorneys Dennis Elisco and Stephen Colafella, who represent Jordan, have their own appeal of a Hodge decision before the Superior Court. It involves Hodge’s refusal to release Jordan from the Erie detention facility where he has been housed for more than two years.
Elisco and Colafella cite state law that requires juvenile hearings to be conducted within 10 days of the filing of petitions against the child. That deadline was missed in Jordan’s case because the newspapers appealed Hodge’s decision to keep proceedings closed.
It is understandable a judge would not want to release a homicide suspect. It is also understandable Jordan’s attorneys want to protect his rights under the law.
Jordan has been in government custody for nearly three years now. But because there has been no decision regarding his guilt or innocence, he is merely held and educated. There is no treatment normally accorded juveniles who are ruled accountable for crimes.
It is unfortunate these appeals are delaying a final decision in Jordan’s case. But they are an outgrowth of state law.
We continue to argue that the Jordan Brown case shows a need to alter the law regarding juveniles and homicides.
Jordan Brown Case
Jordan Brown case grows more confusing amid appeals
- Jordan Brown Case
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Prosecutors granted stay in Jordan Brown decision
A hearing on the status of a boy accused in a 2009 fatal shooting has been canceled. The hearing on 15-year-old Jordan Brown’s detention had been planned for Lawrence County Court today, but was canceled after prosecutors requested, and received, a stay in the proceedings.
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Jordan Brown Case: Next step unclear, attorneys say
The Jordan Brown case has stretched into its fifth year. But it is not over yet. And the lawyers representing the 15-year-old don’t know exactly what will happen next.
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Jordan Brown Case: Victim’s parents ‘devastated’ by ruling
Kenzie Houk’s parents are devastated — again. The first time was when she was fatally shot in February, 2009. The second time was Wednesday, when they learned of a ruling by the Pennsylvania Superior Court.
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Appeals court overturns Jordan Brown ruling
A Pennsylvania appeals court has overturned the Jordan Brown decision in Lawrence County. As a result, a new juvenile proceeding will be needed for the now-15-year-old accused in the 2009 shooting death of his father’s pregnant fiancée, Kenzie Houk.
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Jordan Brown heading to George Junior
Jordan Brown is moving closer to home. At a hearing Thursday, Judge John W. Hodge approved transferring the 15-year-old from a facility in central Pennsylvania to one in western Pennsylvania. Jordan was in the courtroom, which was closed to the public.
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Jordan Brown Case: Observers comment on teen’s first treatment review
Kenzie Houk’s family and friends fear Jordan Brown is not receiving the help he was promised. After Friday’s evaluation hearing, the father and sister of the woman Jordan had been found responsible for killing expressed concerns the teen may be a victim of abuse perpetrated by the system, his family and defense counsel.
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Jordan Brown Case: Victim’s family disappointed at evaluation report
Jordan Brown visited Lawrence County on Friday. As in the past, he said nothing. In April, Jordan, 15, was found responsible for the 2009 deaths of his father’s pregnant fiancée, Kenzie Marie Houk, and her unborn child.
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Evaluation hearing scheduled for Jordan Brown
An evaluation hearing for Jordan Brown is scheduled for Nov. 2 at the Lawrence County Government Center. The 15-year-old was found responsible for the 2009 deaths of his father’s pregnant fiancée, Kenzie Marie Houk, and her unborn child.
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Judge rules Jordan Brown must go to a juvenile facility in Kenzie Houk slaying
After 1,173 days in an Erie holding facility, Jordan Brown is headed to a juvenile facility for counseling and treatment. Lawrence County Judge John W. Hodge made that decision regarding the 14-year-old yesterday.
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Jordan Brown's attorneys to appeal delinquency decision
An appeal is planned in the homicide case of Jordan Brown. Defense attorney Dennis Elisco confirmed Friday that an appeal will be made, claiming a lack of evidence.
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