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State Superior Court Hears Arguments In Jordan Brown Case

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Lawyers for Jordan Brown who was just 11-years-old when he was charged in connection with the shooting death of his father's pregnant fiancé appeared before a Superior Court panel Wednesday.

They argued that Brown's right to a speedy trial has been violated.

For 37 months, Brown has been sitting in a juvenile detention facility.

He hasn't had a detention hearing and he hasn't had a trial. His attorneys argued before the Superior Court panel sitting in Pittsburgh today that it's a violation of Brown's rights.

Brown, who is now 14-years old, is accused in the fatal shooting of 26-year-old Kenzie Houk and her unborn child back in 2009.

His trial has been delayed while they argued over whether he should be tried as an adult or a juvenile, and while newspapers argued whether or not the trial should be public.

Brown's lawyers say its justice delayed.

"The Juvenile Act says that within 10 days after your case has been transferred to juvenile court, you must be brought to trial," said Dennis Elisco, Brown's attorney. "Otherwise, immediately released from detention."

More troubling perhaps, is that in all this time, J.B. - as he's referred to now as a juvenile - is not getting any treatment while the case lingers on.

"We believe it's definitely very harmful," said Elisco. "As Judge Ott pointed out right before I sat down, this is a very troubling case."

The Superior Court is expected to issue an order by this Friday, granting Brown an immediate detention hearing. It doesn't mean the charges will be dropped against him, but it does mean that he could be set free, pending trial.

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Victim's Family Wants Jordan Brown Trial Open To Public (1/10/12)
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