Judge sentences men convicted in Crystal Rogers murder case

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – A Nelson County judge has formally sentenced two men convicted in the death of Bardstown mother of five, Crystal Rogers.

According to ABC Affiliate WHAS 11, Judge Charles Simms sentenced Brooks Houck to life in prison and Joseph Lawson to 25 years on Wednesday afternoon. Both men were convicted in July. Houck, Rogers’ former boyfriend, was found guilty of murder and evidence tampering. Lawson was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with evidence.

WHAS 11 reports during the sentencing hearing, victim impact statements were read before Judge Simms reminded Houck and Lawson of their right to appeal. He also approved Lawson’s request to move forward with an appeal without paying court costs.

The case also involved Lawson’s father, Steve Lawson, who was convicted in May of conspiracy to commit murder. On August 6, he was sentenced to 17 years in prison.

Crystal Rogers disappeared in 2015 and her case has drawn nationwide attention for nearly a decade.