Federal Lawsuit Claims Evidence Was Fabricated In The Wrongful Conviction Of Jordan Brown

CBS Pittsburgh

1 Jul 202002:12

Summary

TLDRA civil rights lawsuit has been filed against the Pennsylvania State Police regarding the wrongful arrest and murder conviction of 11-year-old Jordan Brown, who was accused of killing his father's pregnant girlfriend in 2009. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned the conviction due to insufficient evidence and claims of illegal coercion and false testimony by the police. Now 20, Brown attends college with aspirations to become a civil rights attorney, seeking compensation and justice.

Takeaways

😷 Local businesses are urged to enforce mask-wearing and social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus.
📜 A civil rights lawsuit has been filed against the Pennsylvania State Police regarding the wrongful arrest and murder conviction of 11-year-old Jordan Brown.
🏛️ The Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned Jordan Brown's conviction due to insufficient evidence.
🔍 Jordan's lawyers allege that the police illegally coerced false testimony, leading to his wrongful conviction.
⏳ The incident occurred in February 2009 in New Beaver, Laurens County, where Jordan was accused of shooting and killing his father's pregnant girlfriend.
🚨 The Pennsylvania State Police are accused of fabricating evidence and hiding evidence that would have exonerated Brown.
🈚️ There was no direct or circumstantial evidence, including DNA or fingerprints, linking Jordan Brown to the crime.
👧 The case relied heavily on the statement of a 7-year-old girl who changed her story multiple times, with interviews conducted against protocol.
🎓 Now 20 years old, Jordan Brown is attending college and aspires to become a civil rights attorney.
💼 The lawsuit seeks compensation and names four former state troopers and a former state police commissioner.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the script?
-The main issue is a civil rights lawsuit filed against the Pennsylvania State Police for the wrongful arrest, conviction, and imprisonment of 11-year-old Jordan Brown for the murder of his father's pregnant girlfriend.
What was the outcome of Jordan Brown's case in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court?
-The Pennsylvania Supreme Court threw out Jordan Brown's conviction, stating there was insufficient evidence to support the charges against him.
What are the allegations against the Pennsylvania State Police made by Jordan Brown's lawyers?
-Jordan Brown's lawyers allege that the Pennsylvania State Police illegally coerced false testimony, fabricated evidence, and hid evidence that would have exonerated Brown.
Where was Jordan Brown placed immediately after his arrest?
-Immediately after his arrest, Jordan Brown was placed in a confinement suicide watch cell in an adult facility.
What was the nature of the evidence used against Jordan Brown during his trial?
-The evidence used against Jordan Brown was primarily the statement of a 7-year-old girl who changed her story, and there was no physical evidence such as DNA or fingerprints.
How many times was the 7-year-old girl interviewed by the police, and were the interviews recorded?
-The 7-year-old girl was interviewed four times against protocol, and none of the interviews were recorded except for the fourth one, which was recorded after midnight.
What is Jordan Brown's current situation?
-Jordan Brown is now 20 years old, attending college, and hopes to become a civil rights attorney.
What does the civil rights lawsuit seek and who are the defendants named in it?
-The civil rights lawsuit seeks compensation for the wrongful conviction and imprisonment. It names four former state troopers and a former state police commissioner as defendants.
When did the incident involving Jordan Brown occur?
-The incident involving Jordan Brown occurred in February of 2009 in New Beaver, Lawrence County.
What was the community's reaction to Jordan Brown being accused of murder at the age of 11?
-The community was shocked by the accusation that an 11-year-old boy, Jordan Brown, was responsible for shooting and killing his father's pregnant girlfriend.
What is the significance of Jordan Brown's case in terms of civil rights?
-Jordan Brown's case highlights issues of coerced confessions, the treatment of juveniles in the criminal justice system, and the potential for wrongful convictions, which are significant civil rights concerns.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Civil Rights Lawsuit Over Wrongful Conviction

This paragraph discusses the case of Jordan Brown, an 11-year-old boy who was wrongfully convicted of shooting and killing his father's pregnant girlfriend in 2009. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned the conviction due to insufficient evidence. A civil rights lawsuit has been filed against the Pennsylvania State Police, alleging that they coerced false testimony and fabricated evidence. The attorneys claim there was no physical evidence linking Brown to the crime, and the only evidence was the statement of a 7-year-old girl who changed her story. Brown, now 20 and attending college, hopes to become a civil rights attorney, and the lawsuit seeks compensation for the wrongful conviction and names several former state troopers and a former state police commissioner.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Mask-Wearing

Mask-wearing refers to the act of wearing a mask, typically a face covering, to protect oneself and others from the spread of infectious diseases. In the context of the video, it is a preventive measure that local business owners are urged to enforce to help curb the spread of a virus. This is a critical public health practice, especially during pandemics, and the video underscores its importance in community settings.

💡Social Distancing

Social distancing is the practice of maintaining a certain physical distance between people to prevent the spread of contagious diseases. The video emphasizes its importance as a public health measure, suggesting that local businesses should enforce it to keep the virus from spreading. It is a key strategy in controlling the transmission of infections, particularly in crowded or communal areas.

💡Civil Rights Lawsuit

A civil rights lawsuit is a legal action brought forward to protect an individual's rights as guaranteed by the constitution or laws. In the video, a civil rights lawsuit has been filed against the Pennsylvania State Police, highlighting a case of alleged misconduct and violation of rights. This term is central to the video's narrative, which revolves around the pursuit of justice and accountability for alleged wrongful actions by law enforcement.

💡Arrest and Murder Conviction

An arrest and murder conviction refers to the legal process where an individual is apprehended and subsequently found guilty of the crime of murder. The video discusses the case of Jordan Brown, who was convicted of shooting and killing his father's pregnant girlfriend. However, the conviction was later thrown out by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court due to insufficient evidence, which is a pivotal point in the video's storyline.

💡Insufficient Evidence

Insufficient evidence means that the proof provided is not adequate to support a conclusion or a verdict in a legal case. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court threw out Jordan Brown's conviction on these grounds, as mentioned in the video. This term is crucial as it signifies a miscarriage of justice and is the basis for the civil rights lawsuit against the police.

💡Illegally Coerced False Testimony

Illegally coerced false testimony refers to the act of forcing someone to provide false information or evidence under duress, which is unlawful and unethical. The video suggests that Jordan Brown's lawyers claim the police illegally coerced false testimony, which is a serious allegation that forms a significant part of the civil rights lawsuit and the narrative of the video.

💡Confinement Suicide Watch Cell

A confinement suicide watch cell is a specialized cell used to house inmates who are considered at risk of self-harm or suicide. The video describes how Jordan Brown was placed in such a cell in an adult facility, which underscores the severity of his situation and the impact on his mental health. This term is significant as it highlights the harsh conditions faced by the individual at the center of the video's story.

💡Fabricated Evidence

Fabricated evidence is evidence that has been invented or falsified, rather than being genuine or authentic. The video alleges that the police fabricated evidence in the case of Jordan Brown, which is a serious charge that calls into question the integrity of the investigation and the legal proceedings. This term is central to the video's theme of seeking truth and justice.

💡Exonerate

To exonerate someone means to clear their name of guilt or suspicion. In the video, it is mentioned that there was no evidence to implicate Jordan Brown, suggesting that he should have been exonerated. This term is important as it reflects the video's focus on the pursuit of justice and the rectification of a perceived wrong.

💡Civil Rights Attorney

A civil rights attorney is a legal professional who specializes in advocating for and protecting the rights of individuals as outlined in the constitution and laws. The video mentions that Jordan Brown now aspires to become a civil rights attorney, indicating a personal transformation and a commitment to justice. This term is significant as it ties into the video's theme of fighting for one's rights and seeking redress for past injustices.

Highlights

Local business owners are urged to enforce mask-wearing and social distancing to prevent virus spread.

A civil rights lawsuit has been filed against the Pennsylvania State Police.

The lawsuit involves the wrongful arrest and murder conviction of 11-year-old Jordan Brown.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned the conviction due to insufficient evidence.

Jordan Brown's lawyers claim police illegally coerced false testimony.

The incident occurred in February 2009 in New Beaver, Laurens County.

Jordan Brown was accused of shooting and killing his father's pregnant girlfriend.

The community was shocked by the accusation against an 11-year-old.

Jordan Brown made national news as an 11-year-old killer.

Attorneys argue that the Pennsylvania State Police fabricated evidence against Brown.

There is no direct or circumstantial evidence linking Jordan Brown to the crime.

No physical evidence such as DNA or fingerprints was found.

The case relied on the statement of a 7-year-old girl who changed her story.

The girl was interviewed four times against protocol on the day her mother was found dead.

Jordan Brown is now 20 years old and attending college.

Brown aspires to become a civil rights attorney.

The lawsuit seeks compensation and names four former state troopers and a former state police commissioner.

Jordan Brown was initially placed in a confinement suicide watch cell in an adult facility.