BARDSTOWN, Ky. — In an unexpected moment at the arraignment of Brooks Houck, prosecutors revealed they are investigating a link between the murders of Crystal Rogers and her father.
On Thursday, Brooks Houck appeared virtually in the Nelson County Circuit Court — his first hearing after being arrested last week for the 2015 murder of Rogers.
Lead prosecutor Shane Young, the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Hardin County, said they are looking into a firearm they believe was used to kill Tommy Ballard. Ballard was Rogers’ dad.
That weapon was reportedly sold by Brooks Houck’s brother, Nicholas Houck, earlier this year.
“A firearm that we purchased from Nicholas Houck, who was using a fake name when he sold the rifle. We know it’s the same caliber. There’s five criteria that they’re looking at. And so far it’s matched four of the five criteria,” Young said.
Ballard was killed during a hunting trip in 2016. His daughter disappeared in 2015. Brooks Houck was her boyfriend at the time and has been the only suspect named since she went missing.
This is the first time the two cases have formally been linked.
Young also said several members of the Houck family interfered with the grand jury proceedings.
“[The Houck family] secretly brought in recorders and recorded the grand jury. I’ve been practicing here, your honor, for 25 years in this state, and I’ve yet ever heard of anyone recording a grand jury,” Young said.
Brooks Houck’s attorney has petitioned the court to lower his bond, which is set at $10 million. Prosecutors said because of his successful businesses, the amount is fair.
“We simply ask this court to set a bond that is consistent with bonds set in other cases, not only in your jurisdiction, but in jurisdictions around here for similar charges with defendants, not only with no record like Mr. Houck, but defendants with significant records,” Brian Butler, Brooks Houck’s attorney, said.
Butler recommended Brooks Houck’s bail be lowered to $500,000. It also included provisions requiring him to wear a GPS monitoring device and to not have contact with the Ballard family.
The presiding judge did not make a decision on his bail Thursday.
Brooks Houck pleaded not guilty to murder and tampering with physical evidence.
A pre-trial meeting has been scheduled for Feb. 8. Butler said he was uncertain if the defense would be ready for trial in 2024.
Butler added he intends to file a change of venue request at a later date.