BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The second trial in the Crystal Rogers murder case will take much longer than the first, according to the judge presiding over the case.
Brooks Houck was Rogers’ former boyfriend and has been considered the main suspect in her disappearance. He’s on trial with his alleged accomplice, Joseph Lawson.
Rogers disappeared in July 2015 and is presumed dead, even though her body has never been found.
Houck is charged with murder and tampering with evidence. Lawson faces conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence.
The jury pool was made up of 132 people. Potential jurors were given a questionnaire asking about their knowledge of the case.
The questionnaire allowed for four possible responses:
- I have not heard about the case. I know no specifics. I have no opinion.
- I have heard about the case. I know no specifics. I have no opinion.
- I have heard about the case. I know some specifics. I have no opinion.
- I have heard about the case. I know some specifics. I have an opinion.
Based on juror responses, they are separated into four different groups.
Lead prosecutor Shane Young told the jury pool “a lot of this case is circumstantial evidence,” and asked if jurors could judge circumstantial evidence with the same weight they would give to physical evidence.
Young said “My burden is the highest burden in the legal system.” Young asked the jury pool, “Do you believe it’s possible to convict somebody without finding a body?”
More than a dozen jurors were dismissed before the court broke for lunch. Some said they had watched documentaries about the case, listened to podcasts or followed the case on the news or social media.
One jury candidate asked, “How do you know a victim is dead,” if there is no body? Young replied it’s his duty to prove that. Young also stated, “Keep an open mind someone who cannot be located may be deceased.”
A jury candidate was dismissed after explaining they would work third shift during the duration of the trial and would lose focus at some point. The potential juror said he’d continue to work because “$12.50 doesn’t keep the lights on,” referring to the $12.50 a day stipend jurors receive for their service.
Later, during the selection process, another candidate was excused when they said experiences with domestic violence would influence how they would view this case. Houck is accused of killing his former live-in girlfriend Crystal Rogers.
Fifteen jurors were selected to hear the case—12 primary jurors and three alternates.
Opening arguments in the case will begin Wednesday morning.
Judge Charles Simms, who presided over the first trial against Steven Lawson in May, said he expects this trial to last approximately 10 days, pausing for the July 4 holiday and resuming the following week.
Steven Lawson’s trial lasted less than four days. He was found guilty of tampering with evidence and conspiracy to commit murder and sentenced to 17 years in prison. He is asking for a new trial, claiming he was denied a fair trial.
