Guilty verdict finally delivered for the murder of Bardstown mother who disappeared 10 years ago

Brooks Houck, Crystal Rogers’ boyfriend, was found guilty in the murder of Rogers ten years ago on July 3, 2015

Commonwealth Attorney, Prosecutor Shane Young, brought an end to a ten-year mystery today when he brought closure to a city and a family with his second and third successful verdicts in the last month regarding the unsolved murder of Crystal Rogers in Bardstown. 

After guilty verdicts were handed down last month to Steve Lawson for tampering with physical evidence and conspiracy to murder Crystal Rogers, Young successfully prosecuted his case against Brooks Houck, Rogers’ boyfriend, and Joey Lawson, an employee of Houck’s, today at the Warren County Courthouse.

Father, Steve Young, was found guilty of tampering with physical evidence and conspiracy to murder, and the jury recommended 17 years in jail. Son, Joey Lawson, was also found guilty of tampering with physical evidence and conspiracy to murder, and the jury recommended 20 years plus 5 years to run consecutively. Brooks Houch was found to be guilty of tampering with physical evidence and the murder of Crystal Rogers, and the jury recommended a life sentence plus five years..

Steve Lawson will have his formal sentencing by the judge in early August. Joey Lawson and Brooks Houck will receive their formal sentencing on August 21. Many people who have followed the case now wonder when, and if, Brooks Houck’s mother and brother will be indicted. Prosecutor Shane Young continuously referred to the two throughout both trials as unindicted co-conspirators.

Joey Lawson (left) and Steve Lawson (right) were found guilty of conspiring to murder Rogers with her boyfriend and their employer, Brooks Houck (center).