A chaotic arraignment, a missing attorney, and a motion to correct a key date set the stage for a July 2nd hearing.

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For Sherry Ballard, Wednesday was a day she had been waiting years for. For Nick Houck, it was a day he apparently hadn't fully prepared for.

The man Crystal Rogers' family believes knows what happened to her walked into a Nelson County courtroom without a lawyer. He told the judge, "I have no idea why you guys have charged me."

Houck appeared before Judge Charles Simms for his arraignment on a first-degree perjury charge, a felony. It should have been a routine court appearance, but like most things in this case, there were surprises along the way.

He pleaded not guilty and has another court date set for 9 a.m. July 2nd. Now for the rest of the story...

What happened before court

The Houck family outside of the courtroom

Nick Houck himself was the first to arrive at the courthouse for this case (outside of reporters). On the way through the metal detector, he said he was "feeling good" when asked how he was feeling today. He didn't answer any questions about his pending perjury charge.

His sister Rhonda and mother Rosemary weren't too far behind him. Rosemary attempted to cover her face while passing reporters. She has been named an un-indicted co-conspirator in the murder of Crystal Rogers.

Rosemary Houck and her boyfriend walk up the stairs at the courthouse