Lawrence County Sheriff's deputies whisked Jordan Brown into the county courthouse Friday morning.
Out of the view of our camera, the boy, who's now 12, has grown quite a bit in the last year, gaining three and a half inches in height and almost 30 pounds. He is charged with murdering his father's pregnant fiancee, Kenzie Houk, and her unborn baby in February 2009.
But almost a year later, authorities are still trying to determine whether Brown should be tried as a juvenile or as an adult as his charges normally require. Defense lawyers called the chairman of Drexel University's psychology department to testify on their behalf.
Dr. Kirk Heilbrun examined the boy and claimed he's at low risk for committing future violent crimes, adding he's been responding well to custody at an adolescent center in Erie. But the doctor admitted his results presume Brown is innocent since the boy has denied committing the crimes.
In the meantime, Christine McCullum, one of Jordan's counselors in Erie, called the boy's behavior extraordinary, but said that he is socially immature compared to most of the other teens held at the center.
Many of the victim's family and friends wear red wrist bands in Kenzie's memory. They claimed, prior to the murders, Brown had told others he wanted to "pop" Kenzie, and then afterward, he allegedly hid evidence.
Friday's hearing is expected to continue at a later date.
