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

[Born2BWild]

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

And sadly, yesterday Brooks’ sister Rhonda was granted permanent custody of Eli. Link to that article is included on the website above.

 

[Megnut]

3:23 p.m. - Ashley Miller, Crystal's eldest daughter, starts with tears. Of her mother, she said, “She wasn’t an ordinary person, she was remarkable.”

3:30 p.m. - Both are given the maximum sentence. Brooks gets life in prison, Joseph gets 25 years. Note: Judge said life without parole is not an option in KY.

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]

Recapping:

Brooks Hauk: life sentence

Joseph Hauk: 25 years

 

[girlhasnoname]

This has been too long in coming, but Justice came today for Crystal. Finally the scum that planned and executed her death were held responsible. I believe there were others involved and I hope one day to see them arrested as well.

May Sherry find some relief after losing her daughter and then husband. Those convicted sauntered around town like they were all above the law, untouchable. Well, they weren't and now they can sit their sorry behinds in jail and think about for a long time.

I am thankful for the Justice Crystal and her family and loved ones received today and hope it allows them a chance to truly begin to heal.

MOO

 

[Elisaa444]

Hearing the family speak of Crystal broke my heart today. May this family ...every single one of them.... find some kind of peace from these convictions.
these crimes really broke my heart, so I cannot imagine what her family has been through.
moo

 

[karenky]

This is the full sentencing and victim impact statements.

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[Niner]

Houck's next hearing is on 10//8/25 re his properties.

 

[arielilane]

As @girlhasnoname said, "I believe there were others involved and I hope one day to see them arrested as well."

Me too! I hope LE go after the others and do not let it go. There were other people that were involved.

Unsealed documents reveal new details about Crystal Rogers' disappearance

Court documents unsealed on Tuesday detail why the mother of five may have been killed.

www.wlky.com

Jul 16

 

[arielilane]

Tommy is still missing. What happened to Crystal's father, Tommy Ballard?

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A week after a jury found Brooks Houck and Joseph Lawson guilty in the Crystal Rogers murder case, there are still no arrests in the murder of her father.

The FBI continues to offer a reward of up to $10,000 for any information leading to the arrest of Tommy Ballard's murderer.

Ballard -- the father of Crystal Rogers -- was shot and killed on Nov. 19, 2016. His death remains a mystery to this day.

Focus shifts to Tommy Ballard murder after verdict in Crystal Rogers case

Tommy Ballard was the father of Crystal Rogers and became heavily invested in searching for her after she disappeared.

www.wdrb.com

Jul 15

 

[Niner]

Anyone seen this? I could not access the article - just got a bit of the first line...

On Monday, Judge Charles Simms denied Brooks Houck & Joseph Lawson's motions for new trial.

I am "assuming" Monday is 9/22.

 

[girlhasnoname]

Anyone seen this? I could not access the article - just got a bit of the first line...

On Monday, Judge Charles Simms denied Brooks Houck & Joseph Lawson's motions for new trial.

I am "assuming" Monday is 9/22.

I thought it was just Joseph Lawson's hearing on a motion for a new trial that was rejected. IDK, I'm not 100%, anyone else?

 

[arielilane]

Updated: 6:37 PM EDT September 22, 2025

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Nelson County Judge Charles Simms denied requests for new trials by Brooks Houck and Joseph Lawson on Monday.

The two men made their requests after they were convicted in the death of Crystal Rogers.

Simms' ruling doesn't mean the case is over, because all three men convicted in Rogers' death have the right to appeal their verdict.

'Uphill battle': Appeals underway for 2 men convicted in Crystal Rogers' murder as new trials denied

On Monday, Judge Charles Simms denied Brooks Houck and Joseph Lawson's motions for new trial in the Bardstown mom's murder.

www.whas11.com

"Because they got 25 [years] or more, theirs automatically goes to the Supreme Court of Kentucky," Troutman said.
Troutman said the odds a lower court ruling will be upheld by a higher court is 80 percent, calling it an "uphill battle" for defendants.

“There’s a lot of smoke here. The question is: is there fire?" Troutman said. "The individual's attorneys are going to argue there's no fire. There's a lot of smoke and a lot of circumstantial proof.”

Troutman warned it could be years before the higher courts finalize a decision.

 

[arielilane]

JUST IN: Brooks Houck was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Crystal Rogers and complicity to tampering with physical evidence. Joseph Lawson was sentenced to 25 years in prison for his role in the crime.

https://lex18.com/news/trial-day-8-crystal-rogers-murder-trial-begins-10-years-after-her-disappearance-ky

Brooks Houck, Joseph Lawson sentenced in 2015 disappearance of Crystal Rogers

A detective testified in court today that a hair found in a car owned by Brooks Houck's grandmother matched Crystal Rogers' profile, marking a significant development in the case.

www.lex18.com

 

[girlhasnoname]

JUST IN: Brooks Houck was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Crystal Rogers and complicity to tampering with physical evidence. Joseph Lawson was sentenced to 25 years in prison for his role in the crime.

https://lex18.com/news/trial-day-8-crystal-rogers-murder-trial-begins-10-years-after-her-disappearance-ky

View attachment 616228

Brooks Houck, Joseph Lawson sentenced in 2015 disappearance of Crystal Rogers

A detective testified in court today that a hair found in a car owned by Brooks Houck's grandmother matched Crystal Rogers' profile, marking a significant development in the case.

www.lex18.com

Does my heart good to see this, but I bet it sure makes Momma H mad. She's probably on a burner phone right now - hah

 

[Gigiky]

Good news on the hair test. I'm hoping now some focus can be put on TB and JE. In BH initial hearing they spoke about a gun that (brother) NH sold to an undercover LE agent. And that NH had used an alias name during that sale. It was stated then that that weapon was sent away for ballistic testing and that it had already met 4 of the five criteria. Haven't heard anything else about that.

 

[Niner]

Don't recall if this was posted yet...

Joseph Lawson's appeal

Joseph Lawson appeals conviction in Crystal Rogers' case

Lawson has filed an appeal for his conviction to the Kentucky Supreme Court

spectrumnews1.com

 

[AlternativeFinal]

JUST IN: Brooks Houck was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Crystal Rogers and complicity to tampering with physical evidence. Joseph Lawson was sentenced to 25 years in prison for his role in the crime.

https://lex18.com/news/trial-day-8-crystal-rogers-murder-trial-begins-10-years-after-her-disappearance-ky

View attachment 616228

Brooks Houck, Joseph Lawson sentenced in 2015 disappearance of Crystal Rogers

A detective testified in court today that a hair found in a car owned by Brooks Houck's grandmother matched Crystal Rogers' profile, marking a significant development in the case.

www.lex18.com

I have family in this vicinity and have been waiting for this outcome for years. Thank you for the update.

 

[arielilane]

Another man found guilty in the Rogers’ case, Joseph Lawson, is also appealing his conviction.

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - One of the three men convicted in the case of the disappearance and presumed murder of Crystal Rogers, a Bardstown mother last seen over ten years ago, is seeking to appeal his conviction.

-- Paperwork was filed with the Nelson County Court today.
-- BH is appealing his conviction.
-- BH is serving a life sentence.
-- The judge has not ruled on this motion.

Brooks Houck seeks to appeal conviction in the Crystal Rogers’ case

Paperwork was filed with the Nelson County Court Monday to appeal Houck’s conviction on conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with evidence.

www.wymt.com

Oct. 6

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, October 8th:
*Evidentiary Hearing [Houck only re property] (@ am 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. 10/1/25: Lawson was transferred from Nelson County Jail to Little Sandy Correctional Complex to serve his sentence. 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 1-9 (6/25 to 7/8/25) & thru 8/25/25 reference post #32 here:
https://websleuths.com/threads/ky-c...t-in-2023-brooks-houck-on-trial.748835/page-2
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. An emergency order from a judge halted Houck from trying to sell or transfer his properties until an evidentiary hearing on 10/8/25.
9/17/25 Update: Sentencing: Victim impact statements by Kyleigh Fenwick, Crystal's daughter. Brooke Bryan, Crystal's sister. Sherry Ballard, Crystal's mother. Casey Ballard, Crystal's brother. Aunt of Crystal Rogers. Ashley Miller, Crystal's eldest daughter. Both are given the maximum sentence. Brooks gets life in prison, Joseph gets 25 years. [see post #37, page 2, thread #5 for blog link]. Next evidentiary hearing re Brooks’ properties on 10/8/25.
9/22/25 Update: On Monday, Judge Charles Simms denied Brooks Houck & Joseph Lawson's motions for new trial.
9/25/25 Update: A judge has banned Houck from selling most of his property pending a hearing in the wrongful death lawsuit Crystal Rogers’ family has filed. Houck was convicted of Rogers’ murder in July & is currently serving a life sentence. Rogers’ mother, Sherry Ballard, filed an emergency order in July to stop the sell or transfer of assets. The judge’s order bans Houck from selling or transforming any property held by his businesses, including Houck Rentals, Select Qualities Homes & Central Kentucky Real Estate Rentals Houck is allowed to sell lots in the Cooperfield subdivision in Nelson County.
9/29/25 Update: Joseph Lawson’s appeal. See post #56, page 5, thread #5 for document.
10/6/25 Update: Houck, on Monday filed an appeal to the state’s highest court to reconsider five orders issued by Judge Charles Simms, who presided over Houck’s trial. Houck’s appeal lists five orders issued by Simms as the grounds for his appeal. Simm’s orders include: Sept. 22, 2025: The final judgment order and denial of a directed verdict. July 7, 2025: A written order that allowed testimony of Rebecca Greer to be considered by a jury. June 30, 2025: A written order that allowed the testimony of Stacie Cranmer to be presented at trial. Nov. 5, 2024: An order that ruled Houck and Lawson be tried together. Nov. 22, 2023: An order that denied Simms be recused as the judge on the case. The appeal did not outline the defense’s argument against each order, but previous motions have. Because Houck’s prison sentence is greater than 20 years, his appeal is sent directly to the Kentucky Supreme Court.
*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.