PITTSBURGH, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- The trial of a Pennsylvania boy accused of fatally shooting his father's fiancee when he was 11 should be closed and moved to juvenile court, a court ruled.
The Pennsylvania Superior Court Wednesday refused to open the trial of Jordan Brown, now 14, who was initially charged as an adult in the February 2009 shotgun slaying of Kenzie Houk, 26, and her unborn child.
A Lawrence County judge later ruled Brown, who allegedly shot Houk in the back of the head, should be tried as a juvenile and the case closed to the public.
Three Pennsylvania newspapers appealed the ruling in September arguing closing off the trial to the public required a "compelling government interest," the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported.
The Superior Court said Brown's trial would be delayed while it considered the appeal. It is unclear when it will proceed.
Under Pennsylvania, if Brown is convicted as a juvenile, he would have to be freed from incarceration by age 21, the newspaper said.
