KC teen, acquitted of murder, now faces charges in double shooting

From John Shultz's report:

A Kansas City teen acquitted earlier this year of charges that he fatally shot two young men during a 2005 dispute is now wanted for allegedly shooting two other men.

Jawanza T. Brown, 18, has been charged with two counts each of first-degree assault and armed criminal action for purportedly shooting two men as they sat in a car in the 2600 block of East 11th Street on Dec. 20. Both victims survived the attack.

In April, Brown was acquitted of charges that he killed Chris Jackson, 17, and Antonio Hall, 18, near 12th Terrace and Woodland Avenue in August 2005. Both victims were shot four times as they walked through a housing complex. The shooting allegedly stemmed from an argument that broke out following a basketball game.

The Pitch had a story about Brown's previous trial earlier this year.

Comments

ATL #7 mentality is all I will say.

[kayceewolf]

A story like this makes you wonder what the jurors who acquitted the little thug in his murder trial think now. Maybe the Star could do a community service and interview some of them. It would at least provide an opportunity for them to apologize to the community for being dumb@$$es.

[Rosie]

Wow. This kid killed two people (oh, wait, he was acquitted) when he was, what, 16? Maybe even 15? Now he shoots two (more) people. He's headed for a lifetime of violence and institutionalization. How sad.

I've never met Jawanza but I bet I can guess something about what he's like -- didn't finish school, trouble reading, one parent or no parents in the home, little adult supervision after about age 9 or 10, early substance abuse. No real social skills, no manners, no problem-solving ability, deals with his emotions by reacting instead of thinking out his options. Basically never learned to respect anybody, least of all himself.

No I'm not a social worker. I'm just a former foster mom who's seen it before, seen it start young and seen it put boys in prison who think they're men, who don't have a clue how to be a real man in society, a real man with real responsibilities and self-esteem, an education, a job and a real future.

I'm sorry this young man chose a bad road, through whatever were the circumstances and choices he was presented with and made in his life without strong adult influence and positive role models. I hope better for his peers and for his victims now that they have seen what happens... but the lessons too often go unlearned.

[Gary]

They used the Claire McCasKILL defense - it was not really murder - it was done in the name of & under the protection of scientific research.....for the betterment of others....of course the jury bought it - works every time - even in elections....

[monty]

Rosie...strike 1. Daddy was is a preacher man and the most incredulous backer of his son during the first murder. Kid had a home life.Very excellente article by the Pitch when first trial was happening if you are able to archive it.
Hows abouta little levity? KNOCK KNOCK...Who dat? Jawanza? Jawanza who? Jawanza go get a 40 at the liquor stoe?

[EsqEB]

Damn shame Jawanza Kawanza's mother didn't believe in abortion...

[parkay]

I am acquainted with the family of murder victim Chris Jackson. It was a terrible thing when Jawanza Brown was acquitted of the double murder, knowing that the family would likely never see justice for that heinous crime. The prediction at the time, turning out to be accurate, was the Jawanza Brown, a drug-dealing killer, would kill or attempt to kill again. It is not safe to leave such hardened criminals loose in our community, regardless of their young age. What will such a hardened kill be like in ten years? A threat to us all, for sure.

Poor kid. Sounds like he just needs a hug. I'm sure he's just doing a few odd jobs hiding out from the police while he preps his med school application.

Saw his dad on TV. I can't imagine why the kid is such a scum bag. The dad seemed about as honest as Don King.

[unknown]

yal shut the fuck up