BREAKING: Houck and Joseph Lawson found guilty of charges in Crystal Rogers case

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Brooks Houck and Joseph Lawson have been found guilty on the charges they face in connection with the death of Crystal Rogers.

The verdict was announced at 12:35 p.m. Tuesday, July 8 at the Warren County Justice Center.

The trial, which has lasted just over a week, resulted in the verdict after closing statements were delivered Monday.

Rogers, who disappeared from Bardstown in 2015, has never been found.

Houck, Rogers’ ex-boyfriend, faces charges of murder principal or accomplice and complicity of tampering with physical evidence, while Joseph Lawson faces charges of conspiracy to murder and tampering with physical evidence.

The jury recommended a life sentence for Brooks’ murder of principal or accomplice charge, followed by five years in prison for complicity of tampering with physical evidence. Meanwhile, the jury recommended 20 years for Joseph Lawson’s conspiracy to murder charge and five years for his tampering with physical evidence charge.

Final sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 21.

News 40 will continue to provide the latest updates as they are released.

Today, justice was delivered in a Bowling Green courtroom. Our Commonwealth never forgot Crystal Rogers, her children, and loved ones. Prosecutor Shane Young and law enforcement’s dedication to justice, coupled with the tenacity of Rogers’ family, is the reason for this victory.

— Attorney General Russell Coleman (@kyoag) July 8, 2025