July 1, 2025

Murder Trial Resumes for Brooks Houck and Joseph Lawson

News Summary

A 15-person jury is back in session this week in Bowling Green, Kentucky, for the second murder trial of Brooks Houck and Joseph Lawson, linked to the 2015 disappearance of Crystal Rogers. The trial is expected to conclude around July 8, marking ten years since her disappearance. Witness testimonies have included various insights related to the case, with Houck facing murder charges and Lawson charged with conspiracy to murder. The proceedings are taking place in Warren County to ensure a fair trial after extensive pretrial publicity.

Bowling Green, Kentucky – A 15-person jury is back in session this week to hear testimony in the second murder trial for Brooks Houck and Joseph Lawson, related to the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Crystal Rogers. Rogers has been missing since the Fourth of July weekend in 2015, and the trial is expected to take place over several days, concluding around July 8, which marks ten years since her disappearance.

Brooks Houck, Rogers’ ex-boyfriend, faces charges of murder and tampering with physical evidence, while Joseph Lawson is charged with conspiracy to murder and tampering with evidence related to Rogers’ death. The trial is currently taking place in Warren County due to the extensive pretrial publicity in Nelson County that made it challenging for the defendants to secure a fair trial.

The fourth day of proceedings included testimonies from various witnesses. Court adjourned early in the evening, with sessions scheduled to resume at 8:30 a.m. CT (9:30 a.m. ET) to continue examining witnesses.

On Monday, defense attorneys for Houck challenged a detective about the results of DNA testing conducted on hair found in a vehicle linked to the case, which did not yield a DNA profile from the FBI. In other developments, Prosecutor Shane Young presented surveillance footage documenting Nick Houck, Brooks’ brother, driving Rogers’ car to a dealership; however, no DNA was found in the vehicle connected to him.

Testimony by Francis Holt, Brooks’ aunt, revealed that on July 4, 2015, she and Anna Whitesides, the owner of the vehicle in question, tried to contact Nick Houck for a key to his home. At that time, both he and the Buick were reported missing. Additionally, witness Daniel Donahue provided insight into the timeline, stating that he saw the Buick behind the Houck farm during a raccoon hunting event on July 3, 2015.

As the case evolves, Detective Jamie Brooks, who has been involved in the investigation since 2016, discussed potential financial motives linked to the case and shared findings from recordings made during the investigation. Notably, a white Buick, previously owned by Houck’s grandmother and sold prior to the trial, contained hair similar to that of Rogers, found in its trunk.

In earlier testimony, Charlie Girdley recounted conversations in which Steve Lawson hinted that Brooks Houck expressed a desire to get rid of Rogers, suggesting Lawson could assist him. Girdley further testified that Lawson would do whatever necessary, including using a skid steer to “bury her.”

During cross-examination, Girdley admitted to inconsistencies in his previous statements and acknowledged that he was under the influence of drugs at the time of those interviews. Further illustrating the connections among those involved, Melissa Dover, a crime intelligence analyst, reviewed records of phone calls and messages exchanged between the defendants and Rogers’ family during the critical days around her disappearance.

Testimony from Owen McKinney, a Dollar General store manager, indicated he observed both Rogers’ maroon Chevrolet and a white vehicle on the Bluegrass Parkway on July 3, 2015, unattended. Amber Bowman, Nick Houck’s girlfriend, reported that she repeatedly tried to reach him during Rogers’ disappearance but received no response. She noted that Nick returned home on July 4, 2015, without offering any explanation, and his phone was turned off for nearly 24 hours.

Legal experts have referred to Nick Houck as an unindicted co-conspirator in the case, adding another layer of complexity to the trial. As testimony continues and the prosecution and defense present their arguments, the courtroom remains focused on uncovering details that may provide insight into the events surrounding Crystal Rogers’ disappearance.

The trial is poised to conclude on July 8, 2025, coinciding with the ten-year anniversary of Rogers’ disappearance, bringing renewed attention to her case and the family seeking closure.

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Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE BOWLING GREEN WRITER

The BOWLING GREEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBowlingGreen.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Bowling Green, Warren County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the National Corvette Homecoming, International Festival, concerts at SKyPAC, and sports events at Beech Bend Park. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and the African American Museum Bowling Green Area, plus leading businesses in automotive, apparel, and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors Corvette Assembly Plant, Fruit of the Loom, and Med Center Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELexingtonKY.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.

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