KY jury seated in Crystal Rogers murder trial. Here’s what to know from day 1

Lawyers parsed through more than 130 potential jurors Tuesday during the first day of trial for two men accused of killing Bardstown mother Crystal Rogers nearly a decade ago.

The case garnered nationwide attention, prompting the trial to be moved from Nelson County to Warren County. Jury selection lasted nearly eight hours Tuesday, as lawyers tried to weed out prospective jurors who had closely followed the high-profile case.

But by 4:30 p.m., 12 jurors and three alternates were selected for the joint trial of Brooks Houck, 43, and Joseph Lawson, 34.

Potential jurors filled out questionnaires and answered questions from prosecutors, defense lawyers and Judge Charles Simms III.

The judge’s central question: “With what you know, can you be fair and impartial as a juror on this case?”

Houck, Rogers’ boyfriend at the time of her July 2015 disappearance, faces charges of murder and tampering with physical evidence. Lawson faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to tamper with physical evidence.

The body of Rogers, 35, has never been found.

Since October 2015, police homed in on Houck as the culprit in Rogers’ death. For years between then and Houck’s eventual arrest in October 2023, police searched several of Houck’s properties, including his family’s farm, home, and properties on which his construction company had worked.

Investigators said Houck was the last person to see Rogers alive, on July 3 or July 4, 2015. She was reported missing by her mother July 5, 2015.

Joseph Lawson, the son of Steven Lawson, was the first person indicted in the Crystal Rogers’ case. Before his arrest in September 2023, he had never been publicly named as a suspect.

But investigators and prosecutors say Lawson helped destroy evidence and kill Rogers.

Here’s what to know from day one of trial:

• The trial is expected to last 10 days, until July 7 or 8. Jurors could hear testimony from more than 50 people.
• Jury selection began at 9 a.m. with a pool of more than 132 potential jurors. Despite the case moving to Bowling Green from Bardstown, a majority of jurors admitted they had heard about the case, and some had formed their own opinions. About 75% of the potential jurors knew something about the trial or case.
• A majority of potential jurors had learned of the case through Facebook and other social media, local news, and friends and family.
• Special Prosecutor Shane Young told jurors that the case was largely based on circumstantial evidence. In addition, the case is referred to as a “no body” case, because Rogers’ body has never been found.
• Houck and Joseph Lawson are the two final suspects to face trial after Steven Lawson, 54, was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence May 30 after a jury trial. He is Joseph Lawson’s father. A jury recommended a sentence of 17 years. Steven Lawson’s sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 8.

This story was originally published June 24, 2025 at 5:58 PM.

Taylor Six

Lexington Herald-Leader

Taylor Six is the criminal justice reporter at the Herald-Leader. She was born and raised in Lexington attending Lafayette High School. She graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in 2018 with a degree in journalism. She previously worked as the government reporter for the Richmond Register.