Nicholas Houck makes court appearance, this time with attorney present

Nicholas Houck was back in Nelson Circuit Court Friday morning for a status hearing as he faces a Class D Felony Perjury charge.

Houck appeared with his attorney, Bardstown-based Michael Ferguson. Nelson Circuit Judge Charles Simms III noted that Ferguson had been retained and had filed an appearance in the case. Houck was previously represented by a public defender at his arraignment after prosecutors said the attorney Houck said he had retained, Patrick Renn, told them he had not taken the case.

Simms asked Ferguson if he would be requesting a change of venue in the case. Ferguson said they would review the matter and bring it before the court if necessary. Simms said the court would appreciate that motion being made “as quickly as possible” due to the logistics involved.

Because of the anticipated change of venue, Simms set a trial date for November 9. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for July 16.

Simms also granted the prosecution’s Motion to Amend the indictment in the case, which was requested in order to correct the dates listed.