LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Nearly 10 years since the disappearance of Bardstown mother Crystal Rogers, her former boyfriend, Brooks Houck, is about to stand trial. Here’s what a former state prosecutor expects to happen in the second case in the Crystal Rogers disappearance.
Houck is the prime suspect in Rogers’ 2015 disappearance and is charged with murder. His former employee, Joseph Lawson, is charged with conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with evidence. Last month, a Warren County jury found Joseph’s father, Steven Lawson, guilty of the same charges he currently faces.
With jury selection less than two weeks away, Spectrum News sought insight on the upcoming trial with former state prosecutor and attorney Leland Hulbert. Hulbert followed the trial of Steven Lawson and views it as a preview of things to come in the upcoming trial of the other two men indicted.
“It’s been ten years, so I have a feeling the prosecution is sort of digging in their heels and they are not turning back,” Hulbert told Spectrum News. “The lead detectives, the people that investigated the DNA, I would assume 70% of the same witnesses if not 100%.”
Hulbert said Houck and Joseph Lawson’s attorneys have access to the first trial and will use it to their advantage, particularly as it relates to scrutinizing testimony given by investigators. He says expect a more aggressive cross examination of investigators by the defense.
“So, they know what questions will be asked, they know what responses are. I expect them to be better prepared because they had something to view,” Hulbert said. “Police officers and investigators probably attacked a little more because you know exactly what they are going to say now. Their testimony shouldn’t change based on if they have 50 trials and if it does change, that’s a problem.”
While this next trial will feature the same prosecutor, Shane Young and Jim Lesousky, having two defendants, may create a far different courtroom dynamic with a lead attorney for each Houck and Lawson.
“Will one of the defense attorneys go after and point the finger at the co-defendant or will they both just kind of be on the same team and most likely there will be some opposition,” Hulbert said. “Brooks Houck is a bigger target as far as the media. I doubt it will be a united front.”
Even without physical evidence the prosecution showed in the first trial, they can build a strong case. Hulbert expects the same.
“He’s kind of nice and laid back until he isn’t and he can get his spurs up pretty quickly,” Hulbert said. “I mean, that’s what both sides have to do. They have to walk a tightrope, getting the jury to like them and trust them, but also hammer home the points they want to hammer home.”
While Steven Lawson’s trial took less than four days, Hulbert expects a lengthier trial when jury selection begins later this month.
