GUILTY KY - Crystal Rogers, 35, Bluegrass Parkway, 3 July 2015 #4 *arrest in 2023* Brooks Houck on Trial

[Emi]

 

[Emi]

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, July 2nd:
*Trial continues (Day 6) [for both] (@ 9:30am ET) - KY – Crystal Maria Rogers (35) (reported missing July 3, 2015; car (with flat tire) was found July 5, 2015 on Bluegrass Parkway near mile marker 14 with keys in ignition & her belongings (phone & purse) in car, Bardstown). – *Brooks William Houck (33 @ time of crime/41/now 43) arrested, charged & indicted (9/27/23) & arraigned (10/5/23) with felony murder & tampering with physical evidence. Plead not guilty. Bond $10M Cash Only! Reduction of bond (to $500K) denied (10/9/23). KY Supreme Court denied (3/12/24) review of bond reduction. Was transferred (9/27/23) from Nelson County jail to Hardin County Detention Center. Was transferred (12/13/23) to Oldham County Detention Center. Transferred on 6/18/25 to Warren County Regional Jail. Nelson County
*Joseph Stephen Lee Allen Lawson (24 @ time of crime/32/now 34) arrested, indicted & charged (7/24/23) with criminal conspiracy to commit murder & charged (6/21/23) with complicity in tampering with physical evidence. Bond $50K unsecured bond (tampering) & $550K Cash bond (conspiracy). Bond reduced (2/12/24) to $250K Cash bond. Plead not guilty. Held in Grayson County Kentucky Detention Center. Transferred on 6/18/25 to Warren County Regional Jail. Nelson County
Trial set to begin on 6/24/25 & ended on 6/24/25. Jury: 12 jurors & 3 alternates.
Trial began on 6/25/25 & prosecutors rested their case on 7/1/25. Defense start their case on 7/2/25. Trial will be held in Warren County. Trial: 4 days this week [6/30 to 7/3] & the first two days of the week following the 4th of July weekend [7/7 & 7/8/25].
Nelson Circuit Court Judge Charles Simms III presiding. Special prosecutor Shane Young. Assistant Prosecutor Jim Lesousky. Houck’s defense attorneys Steven Schroering, Brian Butler, Michael Denbow & Jennifer Henry Jackson & J. Lawson’s defense attorney Kevin Coleman.
Case & Court info from 7/23/20 thru 6/18/25 & Jury Selection (6/24/25) & Trial Day 1-4 (6/25 to 6/30/25) reference post #874 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...y-3-july-2015-4-arrest-in-2023.690447/page-44
7/1/25 Tuesday, Trial Day 5: State witnesses: Terry Benjamin. He's a K-9 handler for "Ranger" Josh Hickman, digital forensics expert from North Carolina. Hickman reviewed data extracted from Crystal Rogers' phone & provided jurors with a timeline of what she was doing on her phone on July 3, 2015. Lon Spaulding [lived next to the property authorities searched at on Thompson Hill Road looking for evidence in Rogers' case]. [see post #876, page 44]. Rebecca Greer, Joseph Lawson's step-mom. Stacie Cranmer, former Houck employee. Barbara Colter. She's Joseph Lawson's grandmother & Steve Lawson's mom.
*The prosecution has rested its case & the jury has been dismissed for the day. Before court ends, Judge Charles Simms will hear motions from the prosecution & defense. [see post #877, page 44].
*Both Houck & Lawson's attorneys filed motions for a directed verdict, which asks Judge Charles Simms to give a verdict in the case rather than go to the jury for deliberations because the prosecution failed to present enough evidence. Judge Simms said there's "certainly proof of death in this case." "The Court believes it would be reasonable for a jury to find that Mrs. Rogers is deceased in this case," he added. Lawson's attorney Kevin Coleman argued there was still confusion as to the conspiracy charge & argued some of the recent statements about Steve & Joseph Lawson were confusing. Ultimately, Simms denied both motions.
Opening statements for Joseph Lawson's defense, followed by Houck's defense begins Wednesday, 7/2/25 at 9:30a. [see post #880, page 44].
*Steven Eugene Lawson (48 @ time of crime/53/now 54) – Trial began on 5/27/25 & ended on 5/30/25. Found GUILTY of conspiracy to commit murder & tampering with physical evidence charges. Sentencing hearing on 8/6/25.

 

[Emi]

Crystal Rogers updates | Brooks Houck's sister testifies in Day 6 of second murder trial: BLOG

Electronics aren't allowed in court, but our crews are taking handwritten notes to provide updates throughout the day.

www.whas11.com

Crystal Rogers case: Trial updates​

8:30 a.m.
The trial resumes at 8:30 a.m. CT, or 9:30 a.m. ET.
Prosecutors wrapped their case on Tuesday after five days of witness testimony, so Houck and Lawson's attorneys will now present their case to the jury.
Wednesday's hearing will start with opening statements from Lawson's attorneys followed by Houck's defense.
Attorneys for both men filed a motion for directed verdict prior to court ending on Tuesday.
Essentially it asks the judge to issue a verdict in the case rather than let the jury go to deliberations because the prosecution failed to present enough evidence.

Credit: WHAS11 News
File photo of Judge Charles Simms and Crystal Rogers.

Judge Charles Simms denied the motion with a powerful statement that sent shockwaves through the courtroom.
"The Court believes it would be reasonable for a jury to find that Mrs. Rogers is deceased in this case," he said.
Members of Rogers' family could be seen crying, there were wails from that side of the gallery, and people doubled over with their face in their hands.
Remember to tune in at 1 p.m. ET for a live midday trial update with Alexandra Goldberg here on WHAS11.com. She'll provide a brief recap of what happened this morning.

 

[Emi]

Crystal Rogers updates | Brooks Houck's sister testifies in Day 6 of second murder trial: BLOG

Electronics aren't allowed in court, but our crews are taking handwritten notes to provide updates throughout the day.

www.whas11.com

Note: All of the summaries and daily blogs that I have posted so far are from WHAS11

Crystal Rogers case: Trial updates​

10:59 a.m.
The defense's next witness was Porter Hendrix. He is another raccoon hunter who participated in that hunting competition on July 3, 2015 near the Houck family farm.
Two other hunters previously took the stand to testify that they saw a white Buick parked on a road behind the Houck family farm that day. However, Hendrix said he walked back up a road and didn't see any vehicles.
During cross-examination, he told Prosecutor Shane Young he couldn't remember how far up the road he drove.
Young then showed him an FBI transcript where he told investigators he was separated from the other hunters for some time, but Hendrix testified on the stand today that he couldn't recall.
Jurors asked two more questions for Hendrix. They wanted to know what time he arrived on the farm and how long did it take for his dog to pick up on a raccoon when he arrived.
Hendrix said he didn't know what time he got there, but it took about 20 minutes for his dog to start tracking.
10:36 a.m.
Joseph Lawson's attorney, Kevin Coleman, began Wednesday's hearing saying Lawson is "collateral damage."
"As far as Joey Lawson's case goes, there is no forensic evidence that Joey Lawson was in that car," he said, alleging that Lawson is collateral in the Commonwealth's attempt to prosecute Brooks Houck. "One you look at all of the evidence we have, you'll conclude what we already have -- that Joseph Lawson is not guilty."

Credit: Sydney Young
Joseph Lawson's attorney, Kevin Coleman, speaks to jurors during his opening statements on Wednesday. | July 2, 2025

Brooks Houck's defense then began with their first witness: Heath Farthing, a K-9 consultant and trainer.
His testimony mainly focused on Terry Benjamin's testimony on Tuesday that his cadaver dog had picked up the scent of human remains in the back of the white Buick owned by Houck's grandmother, Anna Whitesides.
Benjamin said his dog was trained to assist in live rescues and finding human remains, which the defense argues isn't recommended.
"A cross-trained dog might give an alert on an alive person when they were deceased," Farthing testified, adding that multiple agencies don't cross-train dogs after the 9/11 terrorist attacks when dogs were giving false alerts.

Credit: Sydney Young
Heath Farthing, a K-9 consultant and trainer, testified in Brooks Houck's defense. | July 2, 2025

Houck's attorney Steve Schroering said Whitesides' car was processed 14 days before the cadaver dog search, the carpets had also been removed.
"Can that kind of work impact a search?" Schroering asked.
"Absolutely," the witness said.
Schroering also asked how much the defense was paying Farthing for his testimony. He said he was getting paid $10,000.
During cross-examination, Prosecutor Shane Young admits, "this is not an ideal situation and things could have been done better."
"The processing of the vehicle may not have impacted this at all, correct?" he asked Farthing.
Farthing said that's not entirely correct, adding the live scent could have been a problem.
However, Farthing refused to answer many questions about the dog because there were no training records. Young had to ask Judge Charles Simms to intervene and make the witness answer his questions.
"You're saying it's not impossible for this dog to have alerted on human remains detection?" Young asked.
"No, not impossible," Farthing responded.
Jurors had a question for the K-9 expert as well, asking: "Do you think, even though its not recommended, can dogs still be successful cross-trained?"
"No I don't," Farthing said.

 

[Emi]

Crystal Rogers updates | Brooks Houck's sister testifies in Day 6 of second murder trial: BLOG

Electronics aren't allowed in court, but our crews are taking handwritten notes to provide updates throughout the day.

www.whas11.com

12:36 p.m.
The court has recessed for lunch until 12:30 p.m. CT, or 1:30 p.m. ET.
Jurors had several questions for McIlvoy, the most they've had since the trial started.
12:15 p.m.
Brooks Houck's sister, Rhonda McIlvoy, took the stand in her brother's defense. She is Brooks and Nick's younger sister.
"In 2015, Nick was a police officer," she said. "He continues to work on rental properties and works with an armored car company."
McIlvoy's mom is Rosemary Houck. She said her mom and grandmother, Anna Whitesides, didn't have a good relationship.

Credit: Jessica Farley, WHAS11 News
Brooks Houck's sister Rhonda McIlvoy walks through the Warren County Justice Center. | July 2, 2025

In previous testimony, the prosecution argued Brooks Houck tinted his truck's windows prior to Rogers' disappearance to allegedly hide that no one was in the passenger seat when he left the farm around midnight on July 3, 2015.
Houck's attorneys argued he tinted his windows to help with his son's eye condition. McIlvoy testified Wednesday that Brooks and Crystal's son was born with an undeveloped optic nerve
"He's been to the doctor five times in the last two years due to issues with his eyes," she said. "The eye has been a consistent concern with Eli."
She showed a photo of the young boy and Brooks where he can be seen wearing eye glasses. A medical record from 2015, which described eye issues, was also presented for the jury.
McIlvoy also testified to the relationship Rosemary Houck had with Rogers.
"It wasn't a super close relationship but I never saw any huge blow up or arguments," she said.

Credit: Jessica Farley, WHAS11 News
Brooks Houck's family enter the courtroom as his trial in Crystal Rogers' death begins. His mom, Rosemary Houck, was notably missing. | June 24, 2025

McIlvoy said Sundays were family days for the Houcks and they would enjoy spending time together outside on the family farm at the barn.
"It would be a family activity, we all went out together," she said.
The defense shared photos of Houck pulling Rogers in a tube in the snow on the farm.
Houck's attorney Brian Butler asked McIlvoy if they had any hogs on the farm in 2015.
"No. What was there was some little pink pigs with black dots on them," she responded, showing photos of the pigs.
McIlvoy described what buildings were on the farm including a white house, a large metal building for storage (known as the skid house), and a small wooden shack or barn.
According to McIlvoy, there were threats being made toward the family after Rogers' disappearance in July 2015. She moved to North Carolina in October 2015 to get away from the threats and accusations and moved back when her dad was diagnosed with lung cancer two years later.
She said she never met or knew of the Lawsons.


Credit: WHAS11 News
Joseph and Steve Lawson appear in court together. It was the first time the father-and-son duo had seen each other since their arrests. | Feb. 8, 2024

McIlvoy said then-Nelson County Det. Jon Snow went to North Carolina to interview her.

"They claimed a member of the Ballard family had a photo that I had babysat Eli on July 3," she said.
"Did you babysit Eli?" Butler asked.
"No," she said. "In the past it wouldn't be abnormal, but on that particular day it was impossible."
McIlvoy said she was in Louisville at the Kentucky Science Center with her kids and husband that day. Photos of them at the center were showed in court.
Years later, she said the FBI showed a grainy photo of a car and claimed it was her car heading to the farm on July 3.
Butler asked McIlvoy why she secretly recorded her grand jury testimony.
"I was paranoid, the whole family was paranoid due to the threats and accusations," she testified.
"Were you part of any conspiracy to murder Crystal Rogers?" Butler asked directly.
"No," McIlvoy responded.
Prosecutor Jim Lesousky conducted the cross-examination. He asked McIlvoy if the Houcks had a meeting.
"There was no meeting," she said. "It was due to the environment and circumstances. I felt the need to know what I did say and what I did not say. To have proof."
She said she learned about the recorders found in a bedroom closet inside the white house, which was owned by Rosemary, on the news. She said she had no knowledge of who used the devices.

"Did you tell your brother you didn't want to take the recorded into the grand jury room?" Lesousky asked.
"I don't remember," she said.
"Do you remember him saying -- 'No, you need to take it in there because Nick wants your testimony'?" the prosecutor again asked.
"No, I don't remember that," she responded.
Transcript of one of the recordings was provided to McIlvoy, who again said the whole family was paranoid.
"You don't see the transcript that says Brooks and Nick want to know what you said?" Lesousky asked.
"I just have a different interpretation," McIlvoy responded, adding that at the time, she wasn't aware other family members made secret recordings as well.

 

[Emi]

Crystal Rogers updates | Brooks Houck's sister testifies in Day 6 of second murder trial: BLOG

Electronics aren't allowed in court, but our crews are taking handwritten notes to provide updates throughout the day.

www.whas11.com

Crystal Rogers case: Trial updates​

12:44 p.m.
Be sure to join WHAS11's Alexandra Goldberg at 1 p.m. ET for a midday trial update. She'll provide a brief recap of what's happened so far during this morning's testimony.
You can watch it live here in this story in the video player above.
12:36 p.m.
The court has recessed for lunch until 12:30 p.m. CT, or 1:30 p.m. ET.
Jurors had several questions for McIlvoy, the most they've had since the trial started.
The jury asked whether her car's windows were tinted, which she said they were. They also asked if the grand jury testimony was the only time she used a recorder.
"I've used a cell phone to record as well," she said. "May have been more than the grand jury."

Credit: Aspen Hester, WHAS11 News
Rhonda McIlvoy, Brooks Houck's sister, leaves the courtroom after testifying during second trial of Crystal Rogers case. | July 2, 2025

"Did you spend the night in Louisville [on July 3]?" the jury then asked, following up with what time they got home.
"We returned to our home in Bardstown," McIlvoy said. She said they got to the Science Center around 5 p.m., took the photos around 7 p.m., and it would have taken an hour to get back to Bardstown.
The jury also asked if Rogers' windows were tinted. "Yes, very dark windows," McIlvoy said.
Jurors also wanted to know if she was in any of the photos taken in Louisville, which she said there was one where she's holding her child.

 

[Emi]

Crystal Rogers updates | Brooks Houck's sister testifies in Day 6 of second murder trial: BLOG

Electronics aren't allowed in court, but our crews are taking handwritten notes to provide updates throughout the day.

www.whas11.com

Crystal Rogers case: Trial updates​

2:38 p.m.
Adrian Lauf, a professor at the University of Louisville and a computer science expert, took the stand following the lunch break.
He said there was no cell location data for Rogers' phone because she had Bluegrass Cellular, which is considered a second tier provider. Rogers' also didn't have her Google location tracking turned on.
Lauf also rebutted previous testimony from LMPD digital forensics expert Tim O'Daniel regarding Steve Lawson's location when his phone pinged off cell towers after midnight the morning of July 4, 2015.


Credit: Sydney Young
Adrian Lauf, a UofL professor and computer engineering expert, testified to the defense's cell data theories. | July 2, 2025

The defense has provided an alternate theory as to why the Lawsons' phones pinged near the Bluegrass Parkway, arguing they weren't near Rogers' car but rather on Boston Road, which runs parallel to the parkway.
"Would you have accessed that tower if you were on the Bluegrass Parkway?" Houck's attorney Brian Butler asked.
"No, it's getting too far," Lauf testified.
"Would that be consistent with that phone being on Boston Road?" Butler responded.
"Absolutely," Lauf said, adding cell records are consistent that Steve Lawson was traveling on Boston Road.
Lauf also testified to the defense's explanation as to why Houck's phone was picked up at the Old Kentucky Home campgrounds. The defense said the phone connected to Wi-Fi as he traveled home after leaving the Houck family farm.
"Your phone is always looking for Wi-Fi, that means your phone is going to free Wi-Fi networks on the side of the road," he said. "It may only be for an instant, but that's enough for your phone to say it was there."

 

[Emi]

 

[tlorik]

The defense is reaching.

 

[justtrish]

Crystal Rogers updates | Brooks Houck's sister testifies in Day 6 of second murder trial: BLOG

Electronics aren't allowed in court, but our crews are taking handwritten notes to provide updates throughout the day.

www.whas11.com

Crystal Rogers case: Trial updates​

12:44 p.m.
Be sure to join WHAS11's Alexandra Goldberg at 1 p.m. ET for a midday trial update. She'll provide a brief recap of what's happened so far during this morning's testimony.
You can watch it live here in this story in the video player above.
12:36 p.m.
The court has recessed for lunch until 12:30 p.m. CT, or 1:30 p.m. ET.
Jurors had several questions for McIlvoy, the most they've had since the trial started.
The jury asked whether her car's windows were tinted, which she said they were. They also asked if the grand jury testimony was the only time she used a recorder.
"I've used a cell phone to record as well," she said. "May have been more than the grand jury."
View attachment 599316
Credit: Aspen Hester, WHAS11 News
Rhonda McIlvoy, Brooks Houck's sister, leaves the courtroom after testifying during second trial of Crystal Rogers case. | July 2, 2025

"Did you spend the night in Louisville [on July 3]?" the jury then asked, following up with what time they got home.
"We returned to our home in Bardstown," McIlvoy said. She said they got to the Science Center around 5 p.m., took the photos around 7 p.m., and it would have taken an hour to get back to Bardstown.
The jury also asked if Rogers' windows were tinted. "Yes, very dark windows," McIlvoy said.
Jurors also wanted to know if she was in any of the photos taken in Louisville, which she said there was one where she's holding her child.

I'm curious if there was nothing at all going on, then why is everyone paranoid and recording things? I've never heard of this before and now the sister, mother, brother was recording things with recorders and cell phones. When you tell the truth, you don't need a recording to remember what was said, you just tell what you did, what you know and that's it.

 

[tlorik]

They sound super paranoid - with no reason if they weren't doing something wrong. My understanding was the Houcks were big fish in the small pond of Bardstown- in with the cops and city leaders and all that. But all the family suddenly needs to record everything that's going on - not normal behaviour unless you've had a really bad experience with LE before.

 

[justtrish]

They sound super paranoid - with no reason if they weren't doing something wrong. My understanding was the Houcks were big fish in the small pond of Bardstown- in with the cops and city leaders and all that. But all the family suddenly needs to record everything that's going on - not normal behaviour unless you've had a really bad experience with LE before.

Don't forget the brother was a LEO and he was in trouble for telling Brooks to not cooperate during the interview.

 

[tlorik]

Oh I absolutely agree - they were big fish and got away with nearly anything. I had to laugh when Ms. Rosemary was quoted as saying Krystal 'was not like us' or something in that vein. Like what, she's not a criminal?? Brooks had charges for stealing building supplies or something and Nick got kicked off the police force - I suspect him of a lot of things, personally. Guilty people and paranoid people record all their conversations - IMO.

 

[Megnut]

Oh I absolutely agree - they were big fish and got away with nearly anything. I had to laugh when Ms. Rosemary was quoted as saying Krystal 'was not like us' or something in that vein. Like what, she's not a criminal?? Brooks had charges for stealing building supplies or something and Nick got kicked off the police force - I suspect him of a lot of things, personally. Guilty people and paranoid people record all their conversations - IMO.

Like some kind of mafia family, just without the class.

It never cases to amaze (horrify) me that murderous people have people they can call up to help murder/conceal. I don't have friends like that. Nor family.

She's right -- Crystal wasn't like them. She was good and kind and decent and human --

JMO

 

[Emi]

Crystal Rogers case: Trial updates​

3:58 p.m.
Court has adjourned for the day. The jury will return for more testimony at 8:30 a.m. CT, or 9:30 a.m. ET, on Thursday.
Prior to court ending, Prosecutor Shane Young cross-examined Lauf in a very technical and mathematical exchange regarding cell towers. Young said he found one data point error in Lauf's calculations.
"I'm not calling anything into question," he told the prosecutor.
Young then brought up a previous testimony Lauf made in another case, where he essentially said if one data point is off it would throw the entire data set into question.
Lauf argued those are different cases, different data sets and over different years, but Young said the data is inaccurate.
Houck's attorney Brian Butler, objected saying that was a misrepresentation.
"If you look at [the cell data], does it appear Steve Lawson's phone was on the Bluegrass Parkway or Boston Road?" Butler asked Lauf.
"Boston Road," Lauf said, confident in his response.
The prosecutor also asked how much the defense was paying him to testify. Lauf said it was $10,000, adding that part of his job is community engagement.
Judge Charles Simms also provided a new timeline of how soon the case could wrap up.
He said the defense's witness testimony will continue Thursday, with closing arguments expected next Monday, and jury deliberations starting as soon as next Tuesday.

 

[Emi]

Oh I absolutely agree - they were big fish and got away with nearly anything. I had to laugh when Ms. Rosemary was quoted as saying Krystal 'was not like us' or something in that vein. Like what, she's not a criminal?? Brooks had charges for stealing building supplies or something and Nick got kicked off the police force - I suspect him of a lot of things, personally. Guilty people and paranoid people record all their conversations - IMO.

Sorry to correct you but Krystal's name is spelled Crystal.

 

[mom2chloe]

Like some kind of mafia family, just without the class.

It never cases to amaze (horrify) me that murderous people have people they can call up to help murder/conceal. I don't have friends like that. Nor family.

She's right -- Crystal wasn't like them. She was good and kind and decent and human --

JMO

IMO the entire Ballard family are good, hard working trustworthy people. They are all way above these scheming, conniving lying Houcks. They cost the son his mother and then his grandfather who was murdered right beside a brother. Evil doesn’t even begin to describe them.

 

[Emi]

 

[Niner]

Thursday, July 3rd:
*Trial continues (Day 7) [for both] (@ 9:30am ET) - KY – Crystal Maria Rogers (35) (reported missing July 3, 2015; car (with flat tire) was found July 5, 2015 on Bluegrass Parkway near mile marker 14 with keys in ignition & her belongings (phone & purse) in car, Bardstown). – *Brooks William Houck (33 @ time of crime/41/now 43) arrested, charged & indicted (9/27/23) & arraigned (10/5/23) with felony murder & tampering with physical evidence. Plead not guilty. Bond $10M Cash Only! Reduction of bond (to $500K) denied (10/9/23). KY Supreme Court denied (3/12/24) review of bond reduction. Was transferred (9/27/23) from Nelson County jail to Hardin County Detention Center. Was transferred (12/13/23) to Oldham County Detention Center. Transferred on 6/18/25 to Warren County Regional Jail. Nelson County
*Joseph Stephen Lee Allen Lawson (24 @ time of crime/32/now 34) arrested, indicted & charged (7/24/23) with criminal conspiracy to commit murder & charged (6/21/23) with complicity in tampering with physical evidence. Bond $50K unsecured bond (tampering) & $550K Cash bond (conspiracy). Bond reduced (2/12/24) to $250K Cash bond. Plead not guilty. Held in Grayson County Kentucky Detention Center. Transferred on 6/18/25 to Warren County Regional Jail. Nelson County
Trial set to begin on 6/24/25 & ended on 6/24/25. Jury: 12 jurors & 3 alternates.
Trial began on 6/25/25 & prosecutors rested their case on 7/1/25. Defense started their case on 7/2/25. Trial will be held in Warren County. Trial: 4 days this week [6/30 to 7/3] & the first two days of the week following the 4th of July weekend [7/7 & 7/8/25].
Nelson Circuit Court Judge Charles Simms III presiding. Special prosecutor Shane Young. Assistant Prosecutor Jim Lesousky. Houck’s defense attorneys Steven Schroering, Brian Butler, Michael Denbow & Jennifer Henry Jackson & J. Lawson’s defense attorney Kevin Coleman.
Case & Court info from 7/23/20 thru 6/18/25 & Jury Selection (6/24/25) & Trial Day 1-5 (6/25 to 7/1/25) reference post #874 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...y-3-july-2015-4-arrest-in-2023.690447/page-44
7/2/25 Wednesday, Trial Day 6: Opening statements by Joseph Lawson’s attorney Kevin Coleman.
Defense witnesses: Heath Farthing, a K-9 consultant & trainer. Porter Hendrix. He is another raccoon hunter who participated in that hunting competition on July 3, 2015 near the Houck family farm. [See post #885, page 45]. Rhonda McIlvoy, Brooks sister. [see posts #886 & 887, page 45]. Adrian Lauf, a professor at the University of Louisville & a computer science expert. [see posts #888 & 896, page 45].
*Judge Charles Simms said the defense's witness testimony will continue Thursday, with closing arguments expected next Monday & jury deliberations starting as soon as next Tuesday. Trial continues on Thursday, 7/3/25 @ 9:30am.
*Steven Eugene Lawson (48 @ time of crime/53/now 54) – Trial began on 5/27/25 & ended on 5/30/25. Found GUILTY of conspiracy to commit murder & tampering with physical evidence charges. Sentencing hearing on 8/6/25.