Emotional courtroom video released in trial of Steve Lawson in Crystal Rogers murder case

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Courtroom video released Thursday shows heated moments during Steve Lawson's trial in the murder of Crystal Rogers, a mother of five who disappeared in Bardstown, Kentucky, more than 10 years ago.

The judge in the case didn't allow cameras in the courtroom during the trial but released the court videos Thursday after verdicts had been reached in both trials of the murder case.

The trial of Brooks Houck and Joseph Lawson — Steve Lawson's son — which concluded Tuesday with both suspects being found guilty on all charges.

Steve Lawson, 54, was found guilty by a jury of conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence May 30 for his role in Rogers' death. Sherry Ballard, Rogers' mother, cried and hugged family members after hearing the guilty verdict. Steve Lawson didn't react.

He faces a recommended sentence of 17 years when he is sentenced Aug. 6.

Defense attorney Darren Wolff told jurors before sentencing "we don't even know if there was a murder. Take mercy and pity on him."

But prosecutor Shane Young asked for the maximum sentence, which would have been 25 years, saying Lawson was part of the plan to murder Rogers.

"He stuck a knife in them (the Ballard family) and twisted it over and over," Young told the jury, his voice rising. "Don't have pity on him. Don't take mercy on him. Give him every freaking thing he deserves. He took those kids' mother from them."

Prior to Young's strong words for the jury and Lawson in the sentencing phase of the trial, Rogers' daughter and Lawson's mother spoke on the witness stand.

Tori Rogers was 11 years old when she last saw her mother. Holding back tears, she told the jury her mom is missing out on all of life's major milestones.

"She won't get to see me get married, she didn't get to see my sister get married or have kids. She won't get to meet my kids, or any of my siblings' kids," she said.

Ballard stepped in to fill the void of her daughter's absence for her children. She also took the stand, telling the jury the relationship between Rogers and Brooks Houck, who had a son together, was not good.

"She wanted to leave the relationship," Ballard said. "Brooks (Houck) had other girlfriends."

Houck was the last person to see Rogers alive on July 3, 2015, but never filed a missing persons report. Ballard recalled an interaction at a gas station on July 5, where she saw Houck with the son he shared with Rogers.

She asked Houck if he knew where Rogers was and if she should file a missing person's report. He told her she should. Ballard then went to the Nelson County Sheriff's Department, and Houck went home.

In court, she said her fears were confirmed in her heart during that interaction.

"The baby stuck his head from around the back seat because he was in the car seat, and I knew the instant I saw that baby in the truck that something was definitely wrong," she said. "(Because) my daughter never left that baby. Never."

Days after she was last seen, Rogers' maroon Impala was found abandoned on the side of the Bluegrass Parkway. Her purse and other belongings were inside.

During his trial, Steve Lawson admitted he was guilty of tampering with physical evidence for helping his son move Rogers' vehicle after she disappeared. Joseph Lawson drove Rogers' car, and his father picked him up when the vehicle had a flat tire, leaving it on the side of Bluegrass Parkway, he testified.

"He said he was broke down. Well, OK, what do you want to do? He said 'Well we gotta get out of here, plain and simple. We got to go," Steve Lawson testified. "... I pushed the seat back, I done that. I'm man enough to admit that, (because) I done that."

During the sentencing phase, Young didn't mince words for the jury while referring to Steve Lawson's involvement in Rogers' murder.

"No, you're not a man. You're someone who led a family on for 10 years and could have helped them find their daughter. Could have helped them get some closure in those 10 years," Young said, telling the jury to "Give him every freaking thing he deserves. He took those kids' mother from them. They deserve it."

The jury took less than an hour to deliberate Lawson's sentence, recommending a 17-year sentence. He will be formally sentenced by a judge on Aug. 6.

Lawson, wearing jeans and a red-button shirt, was handcuffed and led from the courtroom after he was sentenced.

While Lawson was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with evidence, it still doesn't fill the void left behind.

"I still think we will find her. Maybe not the way we want to, but I think we will," Tori Rogers said. "It's not gotten easier. It's been so hard every day."

Brooks Houck, 43, and Steve Lawson's son, Joseph Lawson, 34, were found guilty on all charges in the Rogers murder case on Tuesday after a 10-day trial and about four hours of deliberation.

Houck was found guilty of murder (principal or accomplice to the crime) and tampering with physical evidence. Joseph Lawson was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence.

The jury recommended maximum sentences for both men: life in prison plus five years for Houck and 25 years for Joseph Lawson. Both would have to serve 85% of their sentence before being eligible for parole.

A final sentencing hearing for Houck and Joseph Lawson will be held Aug. 21.