GUILTY KY - Crystal Rogers, 35, Bluegrass Parkway, 3 July 2015 #5 *arrest in 2023* Brooks Houck on Trial

[arielilane]

• Steven Lawson was sentenced to 17 years in prison Aug. 6 for his role in Crystal Rogers' disappearance.
• Lawson was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence in May.

Steven Lawson sentenced for involvement in disappearance of Crystal Rogers

The sentencing came about two months after a jury found Steven Lawson guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence.

www.courier-journal.com

 

[arielilane]

An order issued by Nelson Circuit Court has continued the sentencing to the afternoon of Wednesday, September 17.

Sentencing delayed for 2 convicted in Crystal Rogers case

The court says the delay is due to “ongoing serious health issues” with one of the men.

www.wave3.com

Both Joseph and Steven Lawson have requested new trials.

 

[Gigiky]

An order issued by Nelson Circuit Court has continued the sentencing to the afternoon of Wednesday, September 17.

Sentencing delayed for 2 convicted in Crystal Rogers case

The court says the delay is due to “ongoing serious health issues” with one of the men.

www.wave3.com

Both Joseph and Steven Lawson have requested new trials.

Judge rejected request from Steve Lawson for new trial.

 

[Gigiky]

An order issued by Nelson Circuit Court has continued the sentencing to the afternoon of Wednesday, September 17.

Sentencing delayed for 2 convicted in Crystal Rogers case

The court says the delay is due to “ongoing serious health issues” with one of the men.

www.wave3.com

Both Joseph and Steven Lawson have requested new trials.

I wonder why they couldn't go ahead with BH sentencing. It makes me wonder if something else is going on behind the sences. JMO.

 

[Niner]

Judge rejected request from Steve Lawson for new trial.

I don't see that in that article that was quoted. Did you find that in a different article? Just want to keep my notes updated! TIA!

 

[Megnut]

I don't see that in that article that was quoted. Did you find that in a different article? Just want to keep my notes updated! TIA!

I did some digging. I see where the judge denied his ask for a new trial but I think that came from the Defense motion at sentencing. It takes time to file an appeal and have the judge rule on it so I'm assuming that hasn't been done yet. JMO

From this article:

"Simms also denied a motion by the defense for a new trial but said Lawson has 30 days to appeal his conviction and sentence to the Kentucky Court of Appeals."

Steve Lawson sentenced to 17 years in prison for role in Crystal Rogers' murder

Nelson Circuit Court Judge Charles Simms III followed the recommendation of a jury, which, in May, found Lawson guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence.

www.wdrb.com

 

[Megnut]

I wonder why they couldn't go ahead with BH sentencing. It makes me wonder if something else is going on behind the sences. JMO.

"Ongoing serious health issues"

Brooks Houck, Joseph Lawson sentencing date pushed back due to 'serious health issues'

The final sentencing date for Brooks Houck and Joseph Lawson has been pushed back until next month.

www.wlky.com

 

[Niner]

I did some digging. I see where the judge denied his ask for a new trial but I think that came from the Defense motion at sentencing. It takes time to file an appeal and have the judge rule on it so I'm assuming that hasn't been done yet. JMO

From this article:

"Simms also denied a motion by the defense for a new trial but said Lawson has 30 days to appeal his conviction and sentence to the Kentucky Court of Appeals."

Steve Lawson sentenced to 17 years in prison for role in Crystal Rogers' murder

Nelson Circuit Court Judge Charles Simms III followed the recommendation of a jury, which, in May, found Lawson guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence.

www.wdrb.com

Thanks! Yes I remember the judge telling him he had 30 days to file an appeal - and all of sudden the judge denies new trial - I thought I missed a whole bunch of info - as I did not recall him even filing for an appeal yet! LOL! Thanks again - it IS as I remember it! thought I was "losing" it!

 

[Niner]

Detective in Crystal Rogers’ case must appear at Houck-Lawson sentencing

The lead detective in the Crystal Rogers’ case has been ordered to attend the sentencing of Brooks Houck and Joseph Lawson.

www.wave3.com

August 25, 2025

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - The lead detective in the Crystal Rogers’ case has been ordered to attend the sentencing of Brooks Houck and Joseph Lawson.

Detective Jon Snow was delivered the subpoenas on Thursday. Snow led the investigation into the disappearance of Crystal Rogers before his retirement from the Nelson County Sheriff’s office in 2019.

Snow was the first person to interview Houck days after Rogers’ disappearance. He took the stand in the trial detailing the interaction.


Wondering "why" he has subpoena??

 

[tlorik]

Agreed - I would think he would want to be there to see Brooks sentenced - no subpoena required.

 

[LookingForClues]

Really strange. Anyone ever heard of such a thing in other cases?

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, Sept. 17th:
*Sentencing Hearing [for both] (@ 2:0ET) - 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
Jury selection began on 6/24/25 & ended on same day. Jury: 12 jurors & 3 alternates. Trial held in Warren County.
Trial began on 6/25/25 & prosecutors rested their case on 7/1/25. Defense started their case on 7/2/25 & ended 7/3/25. Closing arguments done on 7/7/25. Jury [6 men & 6 women] got case on 7/8/25 & ended on 7/8/25. Deliberations: Day 1 [from 9:06am to 1:37pm) = ~4.5 hours.
VERDICT: Houck guilty of all charges & Lawson guilty of all charges.
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 & Robert Boyd.
Case & Court info from 7/23/20 thru 6/18/25 & Jury Selection (6/24/25) & Trial Day 1-8 (6/25 to 7/7/25) reference post #923 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...y-3-july-2015-4-arrest-in-2023.690447/page-47
7/8/25 Tuesday, Trial Day 9: *Jury [6 men & 6 women] started deliberations at 9:06am. Judge Charles Simms collected jurors phones & provided their family with an emergency number if they need to reach them during deliberations. Jurors can also order lunch, dinner or snacks. Three jurors were dismissed as alternates [2 men & 1 woman]. ~11:20am: Jury asked their first question of deliberations, requesting a white board & something watch videos on. [see posts #95 & 926, page 47]. ~11:35am: Jurors asked to rewatch Charlie Girdley's testimony. Gridley’s testimony is played in court [see post #927, page 47]. Jury came to a verdict at ~1:37pm. GUILTY! Houck was convicted of murder as a principal or accomplice to the crime & complicity to tampering with physical evidence. Lawson was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder & tampering with physical evidence.
*3pm: Jurors are deliberating the recommended sentence for both men. 3:30pm: The jury recommended Houck serve the maximum sentence of life in prison. Jurors recommended Lawson serve 20 years in prison for the conspiracy to murder charge & five years for tampering with physical evidence, which they recommend be served consecutively. It took jurors less than 20 minutes to deliver the maximum sentence [see post #943, page 47].
*Sentencing hearing on 8/21/25 @ 1pm. 8/18/25 Update: Due to ongoing serious health issues with one of the men, Houck & Lawson's sentencing date has been reset on 9/17/25. An article said sentencing hearing starts at 2:30pm.
8/1/25 Update: After Houck was conviction on the count of murder - principal or accomplice & tampering with physical evidence in the Crystal Rogers case, he made multiple calls from the Warren County Detention Center. LEX 18 obtained his phone calls from jail. Further, an emergency order from a judge halted Houck from trying to sell or transfer his properties until an evidentiary hearing on 10/8/25.
8/25/25 Update: Lead detective Jon Snow was subpoenaed to appear at sentencing on 9/17/25.
9/8/25 Update: While Joseph Lawson’s attorneys have not filed a notice of appeals to the Kentucky Court of Appeals, they did file a motion Monday asking the judge to move forward in the appeal process without paying the associated fees due to Lawson’s lack of funds. His attorneys also have a pending motion to set aside Lawson's guilty verdict or grant him a new trial. According to court records, Simms has not yet approved of the defense’s motion. Lawson’s attorneys asked to bring it up during sentencing later this month or earlier.
*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 & sentenced to 17 years in prison.

 

[1MTIrish]

Wednesday, Sept. 17th:
*Sentencing Hearing [for both] (@ 2:0ET) - 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
Jury selection began on 6/24/25 & ended on same day. Jury: 12 jurors & 3 alternates. Trial held in Warren County.
Trial began on 6/25/25 & prosecutors rested their case on 7/1/25. Defense started their case on 7/2/25 & ended 7/3/25. Closing arguments done on 7/7/25. Jury [6 men & 6 women] got case on 7/8/25 & ended on 7/8/25. Deliberations: Day 1 [from 9:06am to 1:37pm) = ~4.5 hours.
VERDICT: Houck guilty of all charges & Lawson guilty of all charges.
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 & Robert Boyd.
Case & Court info from 7/23/20 thru 6/18/25 & Jury Selection (6/24/25) & Trial Day 1-8 (6/25 to 7/7/25) reference post #923 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...y-3-july-2015-4-arrest-in-2023.690447/page-47
7/8/25 Tuesday, Trial Day 9: *Jury [6 men & 6 women] started deliberations at 9:06am. Judge Charles Simms collected jurors phones & provided their family with an emergency number if they need to reach them during deliberations. Jurors can also order lunch, dinner or snacks. Three jurors were dismissed as alternates [2 men & 1 woman]. ~11:20am: Jury asked their first question of deliberations, requesting a white board & something watch videos on. [see posts #95 & 926, page 47]. ~11:35am: Jurors asked to rewatch Charlie Girdley's testimony. Gridley’s testimony is played in court [see post #927, page 47]. Jury came to a verdict at ~1:37pm. GUILTY! Houck was convicted of murder as a principal or accomplice to the crime & complicity to tampering with physical evidence. Lawson was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder & tampering with physical evidence.
*3pm: Jurors are deliberating the recommended sentence for both men. 3:30pm: The jury recommended Houck serve the maximum sentence of life in prison. Jurors recommended Lawson serve 20 years in prison for the conspiracy to murder charge & five years for tampering with physical evidence, which they recommend be served consecutively. It took jurors less than 20 minutes to deliver the maximum sentence [see post #943, page 47].
*Sentencing hearing on 8/21/25 @ 1pm. 8/18/25 Update: Due to ongoing serious health issues with one of the men, Houck & Lawson's sentencing date has been reset on 9/17/25. An article said sentencing hearing starts at 2:30pm.
8/1/25 Update: After Houck was conviction on the count of murder - principal or accomplice & tampering with physical evidence in the Crystal Rogers case, he made multiple calls from the Warren County Detention Center. LEX 18 obtained his phone calls from jail. Further, an emergency order from a judge halted Houck from trying to sell or transfer his properties until an evidentiary hearing on 10/8/25.
8/25/25 Update: Lead detective Jon Snow was subpoenaed to appear at sentencing on 9/17/25.
9/8/25 Update: While Joseph Lawson’s attorneys have not filed a notice of appeals to the Kentucky Court of Appeals, they did file a motion Monday asking the judge to move forward in the appeal process without paying the associated fees due to Lawson’s lack of funds. His attorneys also have a pending motion to set aside Lawson's guilty verdict or grant him a new trial. According to court records, Simms has not yet approved of the defense’s motion. Lawson’s attorneys asked to bring it up during sentencing later this month or earlier.
*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 & sentenced to 17 years in prison.

Is there a live stream for the sentencing.....anyone?

 

[justtrish]

Is there a live stream for the sentencing.....anyone?

I haven't found one yet. I keep checking and nothing.

 

[1MTIrish]

I haven't found one yet. I keep checking and nothing.

Me too! I have been also looking for twitter updates....nada there as well.

 

[Megnut]

2:30 pm (time zone undetermined)

Crystal Rogers murder: Brooks Houck, Joseph Lawson to be sentenced Wednesday

The Bardstown mother's former boyfriend, Brooks Houck, and one of the convicted accomplices will learn their sentences soon.

www.wlky.com

 

[Megnut]

Court is live.

Blog updates here

Brooks Houck gets life in prison for murder of Crystal Rogers

The Bardstown mother's former boyfriend, Brooks Houck, and one of the convicted accomplices will learn their sentences soon.

www.wlky.com

 

[Megnut]

2:35 p.m. - Kyleigh Fenwick, Crystal's daughter, gives impact statement. "You never cared about anyone but yourself," she said addressing Brooks. She tearfully addressed the lawyers, as well.


2:39 p.m. - Brooke Bryan, Crystal's sister, speaks. "I’ve waited a really long time to speak to you.” She said Brooks walked around town arrogant. "You were so close, right? Thought you had it. Thought you were untouchable, but you weren’t." "You took (Eli's) family away so you could have him all to yourself." "Your mom is an evil woman who raised evil children."


2:44 p.m. - Sherry Ballard, Crystal's mother, takes the stand. She started by thanking the detectives. She tells Brooks, "I guess you're not as smart as you think you are."

She also address Brooks' mother, Rosemary.

To Brooks, she said: “I miss my daughter every second of every day. I – I will see my daughter again, I’m not sure you can say the same thing about your child.”

Brooks Houck gets life in prison for murder of Crystal Rogers

The Bardstown mother's former boyfriend, Brooks Houck, and one of the convicted accomplices will learn their sentences soon.

www.wlky.com

 

[1MTIrish]

2:35 p.m. - Kyleigh Fenwick, Crystal's daughter, gives impact statement. "You never cared about anyone but yourself," she said addressing Brooks. She tearfully addressed the lawyers, as well.


2:39 p.m. - Brooke Bryan, Crystal's sister, speaks. "I’ve waited a really long time to speak to you.” She said Brooks walked around town arrogant. "You were so close, right? Thought you had it. Thought you were untouchable, but you weren’t." "You took (Eli's) family away so you could have him all to yourself." "Your mom is an evil woman who raised evil children."


2:44 p.m. - Sherry Ballard, Crystal's mother, takes the stand. She started by thanking the detectives. She tells Brooks, "I guess you're not as smart as you think you are."

She also address Brooks' mother, Rosemary.

To Brooks, she said: “I miss my daughter every second of every day. I – I will see my daughter again, I’m not sure you can say the same thing about your child.”

Brooks Houck gets life in prison for murder of Crystal Rogers

The Bardstown mother's former boyfriend, Brooks Houck, and one of the convicted accomplices will learn their sentences soon.

www.wlky.com

Thank you Megnut! You are a gem.

 

[Megnut]

3:10 p.m. - Casey Ballard, Crystal's brother, speaks, and recounts a time he asked Brooks how the police did searching the family farm.
“They can roll you to the dumpster because that’s about all you’re worth," he said to Joseph Lawson.

3:13 p.m. - Aunt of Crystal Rogers talks. She, like the others, brings up other Houck family members and says they are all responsible for Crystal's father's death, too (Tommy Ballard).

"There's nothing but evil in your heart... you thought you could beat the system," she said to Brooks.

Brooks Houck gets life in prison for murder of Crystal Rogers

The Bardstown mother's former boyfriend, Brooks Houck, and one of the convicted accomplices will learn their sentences soon.

www.wlky.com