Pa. killer, 14, sent to treatment

Staff and wire report

new castle, pa.

The 14-year-old boy who shot his father’s pregnant fiancee in the back of the head with a shotgun has learned where he will be sent for treatment.

Jordan Brown, who was 11 when he shot Kenzie Houk, 26, in her bed the morning of Feb. 20, 2009, was adjudicated delinquent, or found guilty, in Lawrence County juvenile court April 13.

The murder at the family’s rented farmhouse near Wampum, Pa., stunned the community and got worldwide attention because of the boy’s age.

Jordan appeared before Lawrence County Court of Common Pleas Judge John Hodge at 10 a.m. Friday.

Senior Deputy Attorney General Anthony Krastek, who prosecuted the case and attended the Friday hearing, said he is prohibited from saying where Jordan will be sent or what his treatment will include because the case is in juvenile court.

The length of his detention is undetermined, Krastek said. Jordan cannot be held past his 21st birthday, but he could be released sooner. His case will be reviewed every six months.

Defense attorney Stephen Colafella said no decisions have been made on whether to appeal.

Judge John Hodge approved a recommendation from the Lawrence County Juvenile Probation Department for Brown’s placement and treatment. Prosecutor Anthony Krastek said the specifics will not be released.

The criminal case drew attention to Pennsylvania laws governing juvenile homicide suspects and prompted two Superior Court appeals, including an unsuccessful attempt by western Pennsylvania newspapers to open the trial to the public even though the judge had the discretion to close the case because the defendant was under 12 when the killings occurred.