Judge weighs ‘adult’ status of murder suspect, 12

NEW CASTLE, Pa. (AP) — A judge is scheduled to hear arguments today about whether a 12-year-old boy should be tried as a juvenile or an adult on charges he killed his father’s pregnant fiancee.

Jordan Brown was only 11 when he allegedly shot 26-year-old Kenzie Marie Houk in February 2009 as she lay in bed at their home in New Galilee. Houk and her unborn son died in the shotgun killing.

If Lawrence County Judge Dominick Motto determines Brown can be tried as an adult, he’ll face up to life in prison if convicted. If he’s tried as a juvenile, the longest he could be incarcerated or on probation is until he turns 21.

The boy’s attorney, Dennis Elisco, says the judge is not expected to rule on Jordan’s status at Friday’s hearing.