NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Jordan Brown, the 12-year-old Lawrence County boy charged with killing his father's pregnant fiancee, is "a juvenile with significant personality problems" who tends to "minimize, deny and shift blame," a psychiatrist who examined him told a judge this morning.

John O'Brien, called by the prosecution, said those characteristics would complicate, if not make it impossible, for Jordan to be amenable to juvenile treatment.

He spoke at a continuation of a hearing to determine whether Jordan should be tried as a juvenile or an adult. He currently is charged as an adult. Judge Dominick Motto has 20 days to make a decision.

"His amenability to rehabilitation in my opinion is very limited," Dr. O'Brien said. Jordan did not take responsibility for killing 26-year-old Kenzie Houk and her unborn son and avoided discussing the allegations, which "complicates the process of rehabilitation," the doctor said.

"In order to be rehabilitated, you have to take responsibility for your behavior," he said, and then analyze its underpinnings. "You're not even able to take the first step."

But Jordan's attorney, David Acker, discounted Dr. O'Brien's arguments, and said the juvenile system is the best place for their client to be tried because it is more private "unlike the frenzy he finds himself in now."

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