A judge has ruled that a Pennsylvania boy, who was only 11 years old when he was accused of shooting his father's pregnant girlfriend in the back of the head with a shotgun, will be tried as an adult. Jordan Brown faces first-degree murder charges for both Kenzie Marie Houk and her unborn child.Brown, 12, could face life in prison if convicted in adult court.
"This offense was an execution-style killing of a defenseless pregnant young mother. A more horrific crime is difficult to imagine," Lawrence County Judge Dominick Motto said.
Brown is accused of taking his youth-model 20-gauge shotgun into Houk's bedroom on Feb. 20, 2009 and shooting her in the back of the head while she was laying on the bed. She was 8-1/2 months pregnant at the time. Prosecutors said he was jealous of his father's new girlfriend and her unborn son.
The judge heard evidence and testimony from both the prosecution and the defense before refusing to move the case to juvenile court. Under Pennsylvania law, defense attorneys have to convince the judge that Brown would be more amenable to rehabilitation in the juvenile system.
Continues to Deny Wrongdoing
Evidence the judge considered from the prosecution included:
- Brown wrapped his shotgun in a blanket so that Houk's 7-year-old daughter would not see it as he walked to Houk's bedroom.
- He took the spent shells with him and threw them away on the way to school.
- Tests showed the shells were fired from his shotgun.
- He continues to deny to even his own doctors that he shot Houk.
See Also:
Adult Trial for Boy in death of Pa. Woman, Fetus
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Comments
I understand that Judge Motto cited the psychiatrist as the basis for his decision to try an 11-year old boy as an adult. Correct me if I am wrong! My personal conviction is that any child in the eyes of the law should only be tried as a child. An 11-year old boy is technically 2 years younger than a girl would be in terms of mature development. Most young boys live partially in fantasy and sometimes cannot distinguish between that and reality. Whether he committed the crime or not, it is not reasonable to try that young of a child the same as an adult. Also, the consideration that, perhaps, he may even be innocent should be given and given without malice! He should be forced to commit himself when in fact he does not agree with this. The ultimatum of either or is perhaps not even constitutional. Judge Motto basically is forcing him to plead guilty so that he can be treated as a child under the eyes of the law rather than adult. Forcing someone to plead guilty should be even be constitutional for an adult, nevertheless, a child. Give Jordan Brown a fair chance.
My own brother (age 11) and his friend (age 12) picked up a shotgun on display in a store and began playing with it. It went off and hit a woman in the head. Luckily, she was not badly hurt. However, at that time in history, the children were not held responsible — only the store. The other point that I wanted to make was that whenever guns are on hand, children may play with them and things do happen especially when the children are very young and cannot adequately distinguish reality from fantasy.
This child should not be tried as an adult. He is a child. And if his father wasn’t shacking up with a strange woman and her child, this never would have happened. How is a child supposed to react to that??! It’s a bad situation and that’s why his reaction was bad. BUT, he is a minor. His father, however, and the “girlfriend” are adults. What responsibility are they taking for tearing this child’s life and family apart? Who is going to prosecute them for making him so miserable as to commit murder? Shame on them. The child needs therapy and a loving family, not a jail sentence.
It sounds as tho you need help. Shacking up with a strange woman? Are even serious? It would of never happened? You really don’t know any facts do you? Shame on you for being ignorant to facts. Just 1 question for you- had it been your daughter and grandson,would you still feel the same????????? If your answer was YES,when and if the Evil Child gets out,I hope he moves next door to you.. HERE’S 1 FACT FOR YOU, he was in therapy–it worked well, don’t you think?? FACTS COUNT NOT FEELINGS!!!
This child should not be tried as an adult. He is a child. And if his father wasn’t shacking up with a strange woman and her child, this never would have happened. How is a child supposed to react to that??! It’s a bad situation and that’s why his reaction was bad. BUT, he is a minor. His father, however, and the “girlfriend” are adults. What responsibility are they taking for tearing this child’s life and family apart? Who is going to prosecute them for making him so miserable as to commit murder? Shame on them. The child needs therapy and a loving family, not a prison sentence.
At least one killer will be taken off the streets before becoming a Serial Killer later on. He Had NO EXCUSE to do what he did. Making excuses for him is in a way encouraging him. That is what’s wrong with society today. Everyone has an excuse – and You know what excuses are like.
this is probably one of the
The prosecution’s witness is a well-known hack who always testifies to compliment whatever theory the prosecutor is offering on any given day. He is a disgrace to the legal profession and the medical profession and should be disbarred and removed from medical practice. No psychiatrist in the world would go along with the theory that because an 11 year old killed someone, he cannot be rehabilliated – this perspective is not just outside the mainstream, it is completely counter to scientific evidence. I wish the press would take a hard look at Obrien’s personal history and background. He is the worst sort of monster and has committed malpractice here.
It’s sad to say but the child put his self in an adult position & killed that poor young pregnant lady. He gets what he deserves & the child looks mentally disturbed & very dangerous
Susan, maybe you better read what this “child” did again b/c it seems that you just don’t get theseverity of the crime…he took the spent shells w/ him and disposed of them. I mean really are you serious.
they should get park dietz involved. he’s one of the best. we don’t know where this kid was cognitively. there’s no mention of his real mom. there’s no mention of psych eval results. I think the supreme court ruled no death penalty for minors and that they go to juvie until 18.
No child should be on trial as an adult even if the crime seems like something only and adult could do. We have an understanding that children can committ horrible crimes, that is why we have a juivenile court system.
By trying some as adults and others as children is unorthodox and truthfully unethical in so many ways.
The boy likely has many serious issues that need to be addressed, and now he will certainly have more issues then he had before, but if he is locked away for too long his issues would only get worse.
He has only had 11 years on this planet
I think that there should be some serious investigation into how he came to kill htat woman.
Most children would not consider such things but having a shotgun on hand, and maybe poor influences and perhaps a scewed sense of reality.
I think as a society we are equally responsible for the womans death and countless others who have died at the hands of a child.
Boo hoo hoo. This punk is getting a chance that the woman he murdered will never have: A jury will decide what to do with him until age 18.
Then he will go on to become another serial slayer.
I think he should be treated as an adult because he demonstrated adult behavior in planning his alleged crime. I am facing a situation of something similar with my grandson. He is a thief, has shown this type of behavior for the last 6 years . He is now 10 years old. But ever since he started school, he has stolen things from the teachers, other kids and even stolen business cards from the desk of the Dr. he has to see periodically.
I THOUGHT WE AS ADULTS AND PARENTS ARE SUPOSE TO TEACH ARE CHILDREN RIGHT FROM WRONG WHAT GOES SO WRONG ARE CHILDREN ARE KILLING I SAY GET RID OF DCFS AND THESE PEOPLE RUNNING AROUND PREACHING DONT SPANK THAT CHILD WE AS PARENT NEED TO START MAKING OUR CHILDREN MIND TAKE AWAY THE VIDEO GAMES AND D&D AND TEACH THEM TO LIVE IN REALITY THIS CHILD SHOWS BY HIS OWN ACTIONS HE KNEW WHAT HE DID WAS WRONG AND THE FACT HE WENT ON TO SCHOOL ONLY SHOWS HE DOESN’T FEEL ANY REMORSE IF YOU GIVE HIM WHAT MAY SEEM A STEEP OR HARSH PUNISHIMENT YOU MAY BE SAVING A LIFE LATER CHILDREN WHO KILL ONCE WILL KILL AGAIN THEY OFTEN ARE NOT WIRED RIGHT LOOK INTO THIS CHILDS PAST YOU WILL SEE SIGNS THAT SHOWED HE IS A LOOSE CANNON HE DID NOT WAKE UP OVER NIGHT AND SAY GEE ID LIKE TO KILL THIS HAS BEEN SOMETHING BOILING FOR SOME TIME
although this crime is horrendous by our human standards, the law which governs our societies must continue view the offender as a child. he should be given a fair trial in the juvenile Court which has been established for offenders his age.
Cathy are you seriously blaming the father and his girlfriend for what happened? Do you realize how many kids go through nasty divorces? That doesn’t mean they should get away with murder! You bleeding heart liberals are part of what is wrong with this world. If I had my way I would say execute him so he can’t kill again.
Have any of those brain scans that show areas of it that personify defects in association with others, behavior, or a part of heredity. Yes, he did commit a calculated and heinous crime, and should not be placed back on the streets even at 18, but to place him in an adult institution would be more harmful than helpful. For a fact, his current demeanor could be groomed to even more grotesque crimes, even in prison or mental institutional. Of course, this is only my personal opinion.
I would like to see if this child could be sent to a very good
psychiatric hospital where he could receive intense therapy
and possibly be rehabilitated as much as it is possible. Sending
this boy to prison will not do any good unless it is proven he
is truly a danger to himself or to society. He had a lot of anger
towards his father and the woman he was living with. If some
of this anger could be dealt with, it may make a difference
in the boy’s future behavior. I sure hope the judge will not
send him to prison or juvvy but to get some much need,
long awaited intense therapy, maybe medicine if needed
This child was acting out of anger in his previous deeds,
how come no one picked up on it? Where were the relatives
or DFS? I hope he gets the help he so desperately needs.
I think the parents should be put on trial!! Children not only have biological issues, but environmental developmental issues as well. Kids are generally innocent and learn behavior from their immediate surroundings. Parents should be more held accountable for their children and should be punished, not the children!
I am extremely sad to hear about this entire case. I am equally shocked at some of the EXCUSES that adults are posting here in reference to such evil behavior. 1st…an 11 year old with a gun & NO supervision, 1st mistake! The father has a right to be happy & “shack up” with who he wishes…where is the boy’s mother??? Sounds like the kid needs mental health, but is it too late for that? If we do not want to see a child tried as an adult…WE need to ask ourselves why not? Can he be cured of his evil intent, or will he make another premeditated plan of attack on the next person he doesn’t like???
How are you all so sure the boy actually did the killing it could be very possible the childs father did the killing an the boy is taking the wrap. any thing is possible totally, hes 11 what could he possibly get the father thinks im sorrie i dont see the child all to blame where was the father surposenly when all this went on an why does an 11 yr old have possesion of a shot gun . i have guns too but not where a child can get a hold of them at all. the father is partly to blame in my eyes!
If this child was not Caucasian I don’t believe there would b having a discussion! How many non-caucasians have been sent up the river for the same or even a lesser crime. Who were abused in ways that U can’t even fathom! Where was their “blending heart squad?”
Call a spade a SPADE! Maybe he shouldn’t. Be tried as an adult, but I truly feel safer knowing that he could spend the rest of his days locked away! Or better yet, he doesn’t have to be locked up. Let him come stay with U since U have all the answers!
It is regrettable the boy committed murder, It is even more regretable he took a human life and the life of a fetus.
wow idc if he is a child he deserves to be tried as an adult and put away for the rest of his life. He knew exactly what he was doing, come on he hid thegun so the daughter wouldnt see it and he threw the shells away while walking to school, really if thats not covering up a crime (a.k.a having knowledge you did something wrong and dont want to be caught) then i dont know what is. What kind of justice would it be if he was sent 2 a juvenile system til 18 yrs of age he took away 2 lives knowingly and willingly. His father didnt have him take the blame, this kid is a cold vicious human being and should be put away for life. How would you feel if someone murdered your loved one and basically go a slap on the risk because they were a child, honestly i doubt you would want him to have the posibility of returning home where you have to see him everyday
well im 11 and their is no way i would shoot my prego step mom!!!! he needs to go to jail for life or be locked up in the crazy instatution!! its sad to think a boy his age would find it aproprite to do something soo unessasarey im mean really was him shoting her really worth the consequnce
to be honest you all are thinking negitive that that kid may have shot that women and killed her and here soon to be child and i truly understand the trama of that.but jail and prison is not something a kid that young should expriance its terrible.im only eighteen years old and not lived long enough but i do understand children.i had much trama in my life abused bulyed all that stuff.this boy might of been. misstreated of that women made fun of and of course she wasnt his mother and that only man he had as a father figure was taken away.and now hes lonly had he probably thinks theres nothing to look forward to.so now hes proibably thinking to himself. whats did i do,how did this happine,why should i even live anymore.id say he just needs to be taught a lessen a week in jail to straighten up.i now how hw feels i treated terrible every day in my life and i hated it.so one day this girl who bulyied me i just broke one day and smashed her head on a sink and i was charged as an adult was there 2 years in prison i was only 13 it was the wost exprience in my life i just wanted to die so all im saying is give the poor kid a break!!!!