BARDSTOWN, Ky. — Nelson Circuit Court Judge Charles Simms will not be stepping down from the Brooks Houck case.  

What You Need To Know

  • Removal of the judge in Brooks Houck's case is denied

  • Houck and his attorneys claimed the judge was biased

  • Houck is accused in the murder of Crystal Rogers

  • Rogers disappeared in 2015

Houck is accused of the murder of Crystal Rogers.

Houck’s attorneys, Brian Butler and Michael Denbow, argue that Judge Simms is biased against Houck, citing a $10 million bond and comments made by the judge in an unrelated case.

Earlier this month, special prosecutor, Teresa Young, filed a motion objecting to Simms’ removal from the case.

In the ruling on Nov. 22, the judge notes that objection from Houck’s defense team comes from a family court decision six years ago that contained one sentence where the judge wrote, “The court is astonished that Houck’s girlfriend at the time would want a relationship with a man who is the prime suspect in the disappearance and presumed death of his previous girlfriend.”

Crystal Rogers disappeared in 2015. During his arraignment, Houck entered a not guilty plea. He is scheduled to be back in court in Feb. 2024.

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