LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Nearly 10 years after Crystal Rogers vanished without a trace, the first trial in the case connected to the missing Bardstown mother is set to begin.
Steve Lawson, one of three men charged in connection with Rogers' disappearance and presumed death, is scheduled to stand trial May 27 in Warren County. His case was moved out of Nelson County due to intense publicity surrounding the investigation.
Lawson's son, Joseph Lawson, and Rogers' boyfriend at the time of her disappearance, Brooks Houck, are also facing charges and are scheduled for trial in June.
Rogers was last seen alive on July 3, 2015, during the Fourth of July weekend. Her car was later found abandoned, running on the side of the Bluegrass Parkway with her purse still inside. She has never been found but is presumed dead.
Her family is still waiting for answers.
"According to the FBI, I think we'll find her remains," Rogers' grandfather, Till Ballard, said in an interview on Dec. 22, 2023. "... I don't know how many people know where her remains are — probably one, two or three."
Steve Lawson is accused of working with others to kill Rogers and later tampering with physical evidence. His indictment alleges he "agreed to aid one or more persons in the planning or commission" of Rogers' murder and later "destroyed, mutilated, concealed, removed" or altered evidence on July 3 or 4, 2015.
Investigators said Steve Lawson worked for Houck in construction. Lawson "does not dispute" he was at the location where Rogers' vehicle was found, running on the side of Bluegrass Parkway with her purse still inside.
"Lawson further admitted that Brooks Houck was trying to find someone to get rid of Crystal Rogers," the prosecution said in court records. "Other witnesses have offered evidence indicating that S. Lawson and Houck spend an inordinate amount of time together immediately preceding Rogers's disappearance."
In addition, witnesses came forward saying Lawson told them that Houck was trying to recruit him or someone else "to get rid of Rogers."
The evidence against Lawson is being revealed after he has asked that the charges against him in the Rogers murder case be dismissed — or at least that his statements be thrown out — because he was promised immunity for talking with investigators.
But the prosecution said Lawson repeatedly lied during his discussions with investigators, negating any plea deal.
"Lawson's inability to tell a consistent narrative of what occurred on July 3, 2015 into July 4, 2015, and to explain his answers regarding a call that Brooks Houck made to him from the police station were reasons that Mr. Lawson was denied immunity," prosecutors wrote. "His story regarding those periods of time consistently changed throughout."
Houck also called Steve Lawson during Houck's police interview in July 2015.
"I just want to say I'm sorry for everything that's going on in your life, brother, and I've got you in prayers," Steve Lawson said to Houck during the call. "Certainly, this is a difficult and trying time."
Prosecutors allege the call in the early morning of July 4, 2015, was to tell Brooks, "the job is done ..." of moving Rogers' car.
According to court documents, Lawson and his son allegedly moved Rogers' car after her disappearance. A jailhouse phone call later revealed the vehicle had been picked up from a neighborhood where investigators dug up a driveway in 2021, searching for clues.
"Crystal's car was brought to the Thompson farm by Joey and my client," Lawson's former attorney, Ted Lavit, said on June 9, 2024. "This was late at night. (He) told Joey Mr. Thompson would not appreciate and does not want this car out here."
That's the same farm where Steve Lawson allegedly saw his son and another man digging and burning shortly after Rogers went missing.
Lavit also spoke in December 2023 about his client's version of events.
"He received a phone call from his son that he broke down and he picked him up and there was a flat tire, picked his son up and drove back to Nelson County, Bardstown, dropped his son at Five Star," Lavit said.
Houck, meanwhile, is accused in his indictment of "acting alone or in complicity with another" in committing Rogers' murder. He also faces a charge of tampering with evidence.
Joseph Lawson pleaded not guilty in September 2023 to conspiracy to commit murder and tampering. He is not charged with the murder itself but is believed to have been involved in the planning or aftermath.
Rogers' grandfather has expressed anger and frustration at the lack of justice.
"It's be rough, I tell you," Ballard said. "If I could get close to him, better hold me back because the son of a b**** doesn't need to be on this earth if he had anything to do with Crystal. And I know he did and his son did and Brooks Houck. They don't need to be on this earth. They need to be done away with. I don't want to face him.
"I think Steve Lawson was in the barn with the rest of them when Crystal was murdered — and maybe Joseph too and Brooks. I think they were all in the barn. There's other things that I can't say, that someone else was pretty close by, and I think they'll be indicted too before it's over with."
As the trial date nears, new restrictions are being placed on media coverage inside the courtroom. Nelson Circuit Court Judge Charles Simms III, who is presiding over Lawson's trial, has banned all recording devices — including cameras and cellphones — from the courtroom.
"Unfortunately, this case has generated tremendous interest among the news media and the general public, which has resulted in a 'circuslike atmosphere,'" Simms wrote in an order issued Tuesday.
It marks the first time in more than 20 years on the bench that Simms has barred cameras in the courtroom. He said his goal is to preserve a fair and dignified trial.
"This Court finds that the trial proceeding must be conducted in a dignified manner without the distraction of anyone recording this proceeding with any electronic device," Simms wrote. "Unfortunately, this Court believes that it must impose limitations herein to assure a fair trial."
Only those physically present in the courtroom will be allowed to watch the trial, and reporters will only be permitted to report on what happens at the trial during breaks. The court will not provide a media room, and video recordings of the trial will only be available through the court after the fact — often taking several days to obtain.
Simms also prohibited attendees from wearing any clothing or accessories displaying photos, names, or images related to anyone involved in the case.
Steve Lawson faces 10-20 years in prison if convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, and 1-5 years for tampering with physical evidence.
The trial begins May 27. The trial for Joseph Lawson and Brooks Houck is scheduled for June 24 at the same courthouse in Bowling Green.
Crystal Rogers Coverage:
Nelson County judge puts strict limits on media coverage of Crystal Rogers' murder trial
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Murder trial for Crystal Rogers will be held in Warren County, judge rules
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