Thursday, August 22nd:
*Status Hearing (
for J. & S. Lawson) (@ 1:30pm ET) - KY –
Crystal Maria Rogers (35) (reported missing July 3, 2015; car (with flat tire) was found July 5, 2015 on Bluegrass Parkway near mile marker 14 with keys in ignition & her belongings (phone & purse) in car, Bardstown). – *
Brooks William Houck (33 @ time of crime/41/now 42) arrested,
charged & indicted (9/27/23) & arraigned (10/5/23) with felony murder & tampering with physical evidence. Plead not guilty. Bond $10M
Cash Only! Reduction of bond (to $500K)
denied (10/9/23). KY Supreme Court
denied (3/12/24) review of bond reduction. Was transferred (9/27/23) from Nelson County jail to Hardin County Detention Center. Was transferred (12/13/23) to Oldham County Detention Center. Nelson County
*Joseph Stephen Lee Allen Lawson (24 @ time of crime/32/now 33) arrested, indicted &
charged (7/24/23) with criminal conspiracy to commit murder &
charged (6/21/23) with complicity in tampering with physical evidence. Bond $50K unsecured bond (tampering) & $550K
Cash bond (conspiracy). Bond reduced (2/12/24) to $250K Cash bond. Plead not guilty. Held in Grayson County Kentucky Detention Center. Nelson County
*Steven Eugene Lawson (48 @ time of crime/53) indicted, arrested &
charged (12/7/23) & arraigned (12/21/23) with conspiracy to commit murder & tampering with physical evidence. Plead not guilty. $500K Cash only bond. Bond reduced to $250K (1/9/24). He's currently incarcerated in Harrison County, IN. Lawson was serving time at the Kentucky State Reformatory for a previous conviction, but that time will be served out in the coming weeks. He was moved to the Grayson County Detention Center this morning (5/3/24) & is currently in custody. Nelson County
Trial set to begin on 2/10/25. Trial will be held in Christian County.
Nelson Circuit Court Judge Charles Simms III presiding. Special prosecutor Shane Young. Houck’s defense attorneys Brian Butler, Michael Denbow & Jennifer Henry Jackson. S. Lawson’s defense attorney Theodore Lavit [was fired on 8/8/24] now has public defender, no name yet & J. Lawson’s defense attorney Kevin Coleman.
Case & Court info from 7/23/20 (Houck & J. Lawson) & from 12/7/23 (S Lawson) thru 7/8/24 reference post #553 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...y-3-july-2015-4-arrest-in-2023.690447/page-28
7/18/24 Update: Joseph Lawson appeared by video for court today. His attorneys & the prosecutor were present in the courtroom. This was status conference, which gave the attorneys the chance to talk & then update the judge. Nelson Circuit Judge Charles Simms III was to hear Joseph Lawson’s motion to separate his trial from that of co-defendants Brooks Houck & his father, Steve Lawson. The attorneys agreed to delay hearing the motion to separate Joseph Lawson’s trial from his co-defendants until 8/8/24. On that date, Joseph Lawson’s father, Steve Lawson will advise the court of his decision of whether to allow or disallow his statements to investigators that were made while they were offering him an immunity agreement. According to Kentucky Rules of Evidence, statements made by a defendant during discussions regarding immunity or other plea agreement are only admissible in court if the defendant allows them to be used in court. Judge Simms said that Steve Lawson will enter his decision at the 8/8/24 hearing. That decision is likely to impact the other co-defendants’ arguments for separate trials. Judge Simms has yet to rule on a motion for a change of venue for the trial, which is anticipated to take place next year. The prosecutors & defense attorneys have agreed on a new venue at the Christian County justice center in Hopkinsville. Next court date will be 8/8/24 for Joseph & Steve Lawson will appear together for that one.
7/20/24 Update: Houck: Nancy Grace episode in which Houck spoke with Nancy on HLN has been entered into evidence.
8/8/24 Update: Steve Lawson just fired his attorney Ted Lavit, accusing him of working with Brooks Houck’s attorneys behind his back. Lawson told the judge his counsel has been ineffective & he wants a public defender. The prosecutor echoed his concerns, saying “I don’t know what’s going on here. It’s disturbing.” In response, Ted Lavit said “I have done my best without any conflict whatsoever.” The judge ended court, asking for a public defender to be here in 2 weeks to represent Steve Lawson. Next court date set for 8/22/24 at 1:30pm.
