Owen County, Ky. – On September 15, 2026, defense attorney Nick Houck filed a motion seeking dismissal of the perjury indictment filed against him in the high‑profile Crystal Rogers murder case. The motion argues that the Commonwealth has not demonstrated that Houck made a material false statement on any of the dates in question – July 15, 2015; July 22, 2015; or August 16, 2023.
Background of the indictment
The indictment alleges that Houck lied under oath during the grand‑jury investigation into the death of Crystal Rogers, a local woman whose murder remains a subject of intense community interest. Houck’s brother, Brooks Houck, was convicted of murder in connection with Rogers’ death last year, adding further scrutiny to the family’s involvement.
Defense arguments
According to the motion, prosecutors have failed to show how any alleged false statements by Nick Houck affected the outcome of the Rogers case. The defense points to testimony that witnesses told a grand jury in July 2015 that Houck was attending a party in Boston on July 4, 2015 – the day after Rogers was last seen. Houck contends he later told the same grand jury he did not attend a party on that date, but because the grand jury already possessed the earlier testimony, any charge should be limited to false swearing or a lesser offense, not perjury.
Pending trial date
In a separate filing last week, Houck’s counsel also requested a change of the trial date, which is currently set for November in Owen County. The judge has not yet ruled on either the motion to dismiss or the request to reschedule.
Community reaction
Local residents and advocacy groups have expressed mixed feelings about the ongoing legal proceedings. Some view the motion as an attempt to shield a family member already convicted of murder, while others stress the importance of due process and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty of any additional charge.
Next steps
The court will review the motion and determine whether the indictment can proceed. If the judge grants the dismissal, the perjury charge will be dropped, and Houck will face no further legal jeopardy on that count. If denied, the case will move forward toward the scheduled November trial, where a jury will assess whether Houck’s statements meet the legal standard for perjury.
Both the prosecution and defense have indicated they will be prepared to present additional evidence and arguments at the upcoming hearing, underscoring the continued legal complexity surrounding the Crystal Rogers investigation.
Original reporting: WLKY Louisville — read the source article.
