Originally posted by
faire_weather at
Jordan Brown Should Be Tried As A JuvenileI remember hearing about this case a couple years ago, but at the time, I didn't think long on it because I assumed it would actually turn into a case, evidence would be presented (or not, if there was none) and a decision would be made. I was wrong about that.
Jordan Brown has been incarcerated in Pennsylvania for over two years. He was 11 years old when he was charged with murder and he is 13 today. Though he has been charged as an adult with two counts of murder the prosecution has yet to present solid physical evidence linking him to the crime. His constitutional rights are being violated and we are asking Pennsylvania's Attorney General to do the right thing and finally uphold this boy's human and constitutional rights.
Jordan has a hearing on August 5th. Judge Motto was ordered by the PA Superior Court to make a new ruling regarding whether Jordan is tried as a juvenile or an adult. If he again decides Jordan should be tried as an adult he will face life in adult prison without the possibility of parole. Your signature matters!
Jordan was denied the opportunity to have his case waived to juvenile court for reasons that were in violation of his Constitutional rights. According to Pennsylvania Rule 600, Jordan Brown has the right to a speedy trial (a trial that takes place within 365 days of the original charges). By the time Jordan's hearing regarding decertification to juvenile court finally takes place on August 5th of 2011 he will have been incarcerated (without a trial) for 2 and a half years for crimes he maintains adamantly he did not commit.
Currently the Pennsylvania Attorney General is asking Jordan Brown to admit to crimes he maintains he did not commit to receive a trial in juvenile court. This violates his Constitutional right not to self-incriminate. There is no physical evidence connecting Jordan to the crime and no one should ever receive pressure or coercion to admit to a crime they maintain they did not commit to receive fair treatment under the law.
The longer this case goes unresolved, the longer all of the victims of the crimes go without resolution and closure as well. It is time for justice and this boy deserves to have his Constitutional rights upheld.
Is he guilty? He might be, but that's not what is making me absolutely RAGE at this case. This boy has been incarcerated for TWO YEARS WITHOUT TRIAL. He's about to go on trial now, and the prosecutors are asking for Life WITHOUT PAROLE. Are you serious? Adult killers don't even get this, and they want to put a kid away for the rest of his life with no chance at parole, and with QUESTIONABLE evidence?
Not only is this against Jordan's constitutional rights for a speedy trial and not forcing him to self-incriminate, this is absolutely absurd. Why are we wasting US tax payer money putting children away for life, when we could be doing USEFUL things with it? Like fixing our debt or getting rid of actually dangerous people. If the courts say he's guilty, and they provide strong evidence for it, then I will go with that, but this case has been handled very badly since the beginning, and this kid does not deserve Life Without Parole.
If you feel that Jordan should get a fair trial as a juvenile (whether he is guilty or not), and also to have a chance at therapy and reintegrating into society if he is guilty (he was 11, come on), then please boost this signal & SIGN HIS PETITION.
They need to meet their signature quota by JULY 31. Jordan goes on trial AUGUST 5. Help him if you can.
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SIGN JORDAN'S PETITION for him to have a fair trial as a juvenile. There is also a short video you can watch.
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HUFFINGTON POST ARTICLE on the case.