Pa. will take over prosecution of Lawrence Co. boy charged with murder

NEW CASTLE, Pa. (AP) — A newly elected district attorney can’t try a 12-year-old western Pennsylvania boy accused of killing his father’s pregnant fianceé.

Atty. Joshua Lamancusa is recusing himself because he gave the boy’s father legal advice shortly after the boy reportedly shot 26-year-old Kenzie Marie Houk in February, killing her and her unborn son as she lay in bed.

Lamancusa was elected Lawrence County District Attorney in November and takes office Jan. 4.

The state attorney general will now prosecute Jordan Brown, of New Galilee. A Jan. 29 hearing will determine whether the boy will be tried as a juvenile or an adult.

If he’s tried as an adult, Jordan faces up to life in prison. Juvenile court jurisdiction would end when he turns 21.