LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- People in Bardstown are closely following the first trial in the murder of Crystal Rogers in Bowling Green.
Rogers, a Bardstown mother, went missing 10 years ago. Three men are charged in connection with Rogers' disappearance and presumed death. Jury selection started Tuesday in the trial of Steve Lawson, who is one of the three men charged in the investigation.
Barbara Murphy, who worked for the Ballard family for years, said Wednesday the community is "heartbroken" from the presumed death.
"All of this is devastating to all of us starting back from (Jason) Ellis to the two girls (Kathy and Samantha Netherland) and Crystal. As a community, we're all broken," Murphy said. "We pray the right choice is made to where she will have some peace."
Ellis, a Bardstown Police officer, was ambushed, shot and killed 12 years ago near Bluegrass Parkway on his way home from work. No arrests have been made in the police officer's murder investigation. Kathy Netherland was shot and killed inside her Bardstown home on April 21, 2014. Her 16-year-old daughter Samantha was beaten, and her throat was slit. To date, there have been no arrests, and no suspects have ever been named.
"Any time an event as significant as this occurs in a community this small, it has a dramatic impact overall," said Steve Trott. "People are always wondering what is going on."
Trott moved to Bardstown from California. When he moved to Kentucky, he read about Rogers' case and watched a streaming show about the case.
Murphy believes someone knows where Rogers' body was left. Rogers was last seen alive on July 3, 2015, during the Fourth of July weekend. Days later, her car was found abandoned — still running — on the side of the Bluegrass Parkway. Her purse and other belongings were inside. Despite years of searching, she's never been found.
She hopes Rogers' family can find peace after the trials.
"You see Sherry and you can almost see her wither away," she said. "It's been too long coming. We all know that."
Trott agreed, saying closure is the most important thing.
"People are going to be feeling a little bit better of things," Trott said.
Despite the Rogers trial and other unsolved cases, Trott believes Bardstown is still a special place to live.
"I don't think a single event can tarnish a community's reputation, especially Bardstown," Trott said.
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