Houck update: Jury selected, opening arguments Wednesday morning
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 — Jury selection was completed today, the first day of the Brooks Houck murder trial in the Warren County Justice Center in Bowling Green.
Houck is charged with murder and tampering with evidence, charges stemming from the investigation into the July 2015 disappearance of his girlfriend, Crystal Rogers. Co-defendant Joseph Lawson faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with evidence.
Both charges stem from his participation in actions that led to Rogers’ death.
Joseph Lawson is the son of Stephen Lawson, who was convicted last month in a jury trial of the same charges his son now faces.
JURY POOL. The 132 member jury pool was questioned first by Nelson Circuit Court Charles Simms, and later the prosecutors and defense attorneys. The goal was to come up with 12 impartial jurors and 3 alternates to hear case against Houck and Lawson.
Houck, dressed in a light blue shirt, showed no emotion from his seat at the defense table as jury questioning continued throughout the day. He briefly introduced himself to the jurors when prompted by one of his defense attorneys.
Special Prosecutor Shane Young’s questions to jurors focused on their ability to believe someone guilty of murder — even if there was never a body found and evidence in the case was primarily circumstantial.
10-DAY TRIAL. Judge Simms told the jurors he expects the trial to last 10 days — four days this week, four days next week and the first two days of the week following the 4th of July weekend.
SECOND DAY. The trial begins at 8:30 a.m. Central time Wednesday, with opening statements by prosecutors and the defense teams for Houck and Lawson.
The Nelson County Gazette will be posting video updates about the trial on its Facebook and the WBRT Facebook page, and calling in with live reports to WBRT. A nighty recap story will be posted following each day of the trial on the Nelson County Gazette website.
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