NEW CASTLE —
Another chapter of the Jordan Brown case is expected to be written next week.
Lawrence County Judge John W. Hodge is scheduled to announce the disposition of the case on Friday.
Proceedings are closed to the public because it is a juvenile court case.
On April 13, following three days of testimony, Jordan was found to have been responsible for the death of Kenzie Houk, 26, and her unborn baby.
He was charged following the Feb. 20, 2009, shooting of Houk, his father’s pregnant fiancée as she lay in bed in the New Beaver farm house she shared with Jordan, his father, Chris Brown and her two daughters, Jenessa and Adalynn.
Jordan was 11 years old at the time. He has been in custody since then.
A disposition, which is the juvenile court equivalent term for a sentence, focuses on treatment not on punishment. The case will be re-evaluated every six months.
Jordan, now 14, could remain in the custody of the juvenile system until his 21st birthday. If the youth makes progress and completes treatment to the satisfaction of supervisors, he could be released sooner.
Had the case remained in criminal court and Jordan been found guilty of the crimes charged, he could have faced life in prison without parole.
At the time the delinquent finding was announced last month, when Hodge ruled that Jordan is responsible for the deaths, defense attorneys Dennis Elisco and Stephen Colafella said they were considering an appeal.
Attempts to reach Elisco and Colafella have been unsuccessful.
Anthony J. Krastek, senior deputy attorney general who prosecuted the case, confirmed a disposition is scheduled for Friday.
“But this is not a one and done,” he said of the proceeding. “In the juvenile court system, as I understand, there are regular reviews every six months when the juvenile’s progress is assessed. At that time, he can be allowed to continue, recommended to be transferred to another facility or released.”
Krastek said he has not heard of defense plans to appeal Jordan’s conviction.
“In the criminal court, an appeal can be taken following the sentencing or disposition,” he said. “I would think that the juvenile court would follow the same appeals rights.”
However, Krastek said, he does not know if the defense attorneys are considering an appeal for Jordan at this time.
(Email: nlowry@ncnewsonline.com)
Jordan Brown Case
Disposition of Jordan Brown case set for Friday
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