GUILTY KY - Crystal Rogers, 35, Bluegrass Parkway, 3 July 2015 #4 *arrest in 2023* Brooks Houck on Trial

Status
Not open for further replies.
  • #721
Ten long years to finally have a trial. It's hard to believe that my husband and I, on a bourbon tour in September 2015, saw the signs for Crystal when we visited her town. I think about how much our lives have changed, how life moved forward for us, and my heart breaks for Crystal's family, her parents (and now just her mom) and her children, as they wait for justice, for resolution, and for some kind of peace. I wish someone would give her back to her family, end their uncertainty, and end some of their anguish.
I am just bringing my January post forward instead of retyping my thoughts.

I'm glad the judge is trying to prevent a circus at the trial.
 
  • #722
0-4.png

The trial will begin Tuesday in Warren County for the first of three defendants charged in connection with the disappearance and presumed death of Crystal Rogers.

On May 13, Simms issued an order ruling that no cameras, cellphones or recording devices will be allowed in the courtroom, noting that this was the first time in the judge’s 22 years on the bench he had not allowed at least one camera in the courtroom during a trial.

“Unfortunately, this court believes that it must impose limitations herein to assure a fair trial,” Simms’ order said, adding later that the interest the case has generated among media and the general public has “resulted in a ‘circuslike atmosphere.’ ”
 
  • #723
0-4.png

The trial will begin Tuesday in Warren County for the first of three defendants charged in connection with the disappearance and presumed death of Crystal Rogers.

On May 13, Simms issued an order ruling that no cameras, cellphones or recording devices will be allowed in the courtroom, noting that this was the first time in the judge’s 22 years on the bench he had not allowed at least one camera in the courtroom during a trial.

“Unfortunately, this court believes that it must impose limitations herein to assure a fair trial,” Simms’ order said, adding later that the interest the case has generated among media and the general public has “resulted in a ‘circuslike atmosphere.’ ”
Unfortunately this is what True Crime has come to...YouTubers, TikTok-ers, Instagram-ers and Internet Cranks flooding Social Media with their nonsense.

Anything for click$$ and like$$. I miss good old fashioned media reporting. :(

JMO
 
  • #724
Can someone tell me what the ruling is - I can not access the links - not available in my region... stupid EU rules...

all I can read is:

A judge in the Brooks Houck trial has issued a key ruling on what jurors will hear from defense experts. Houck is set to stand trial next month for ...



and in another article:

Brooks Houck defense adds 4 expert witnesses ahead of Crystal Rogers murder trial ·



Are there names of those 4 & their expertise ? TIA! 1748196673551.gif
 
  • #725
Can someone tell me what the ruling is - I can not access the links - not available in my region... stupid EU rules...

all I can read is:

A judge in the Brooks Houck trial has issued a key ruling on what jurors will hear from defense experts. Houck is set to stand trial next month for ...



and in another article:

Brooks Houck defense adds 4 expert witnesses ahead of Crystal Rogers murder trial ·



Are there names of those 4 & their expertise ? TIA! View attachment 588696
Just that the Defense has to disclose "ultimate opinions" of its experts.

No names.

JMO
 
  • #726
Just that the Defense has to disclose "ultimate opinions" of its experts.

No names.

JMO

Thanks! So the ruling is what you said above? TIA!
 
  • #727
Thanks! So the ruling is what you said above? TIA!
Yes, with one clatification. Judge said he wasn't limiting their opinions just to evidence on this case.

Jmo
 
  • #728
Greg Simms, a Louisville attorney not affiliated with the case, talked about some of the challenges in the case. You can find a Q&A with Simms below ahead of the start of the trial Tuesday:

Q: "This is a case where cameras aren't allowed in the courtroom. Is that a surprise to you ... especially since, in Kentucky, we have cameras in the courtroom, except federal court?"

Simms: "It's a bit of a surprise to me. I think this particular judge typically, in the past has allowed cameras, in the courtroom. ... I do completely understand the desire to make sure jurors are focused, to make sure they're not distracted by people who are in the room, reporters or otherwise, recording things or writing things down or trying to livestream, things like that. It's legal. Courts have to allow access to the press. They don't necessarily have to allow full access to the press."

Q: "How difficult would it be to get a conviction in the Steve Lawson case and Brooks Houck and Joseph Lawson? Crystal Rogers' body hasn't been found."

Simms: "We're not dealing with a murder case. We're dealing with a conspiracy to commit murder case. Conspiracy to commit murder doesn't require that anybody dies. It requires an agreement and it requires an overt act, some kind of help in furtherance of that agreement for a murder." More at link:
 
  • #729
The latest breakthrough in the case was in regard to hair that was recovered from Rogers’ car in 2015 and never tested for DNA. Kentucky State Police investigators reportedly determined the samples are not “similar in characteristics” to Rogers’ hair.

A special prosecutor asked the judge to order that Steven complete a buccal swab for comparison. But DNA testing could take months, and the court opted not to delay the trial any further in an April 2025 order.

The trial against Houck and Joseph is set to begin on June 24. Jury selection for Steven’s trial will begin around 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday
 
  • #730
Tuesday, May 27th:
*Trial set to begin with Jury Selection (@ 8:45am 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). – *Steven Eugene Lawson (48 @ time of crime/53/now 54) indicted, arrested & charged (12/7/23) & arraigned (12/21/23) [indicted Dec, 2023] with conspiracy to commit murder & [indicted May, 2023] with 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. Lawson was booked Wednesday, 5/21/25 into Warren County Regional Jail for trial. Nelson County
Trial set to begin on 5/27/25 with jury selection. Trial will be held in Warren County.
Nelson Circuit Court Judge Charles Simms III presiding. Special prosecutor Shane Young. Defense attorneys [public defenders] Darren Wolff & Zach Buckler.

Case & Court info from 12/7/23 thru 3/27/25 reference post #704 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...y-3-july-2015-4-arrest-in-2023.690447/page-36

4/3/25 Update: Attorneys for Lawson are objecting to the Commonwealth’s motion for new DNA testing on two strands of hair. On March 26, 2025, the Commonwealth filed a motion for a court order for DNA testing on two hairs found in Rogers’ car. Lawson’s attorneys argue that the Commonwealth’s plan would not allow independent testing of the hair or an expert they choose to be present at the time & that’s a violation of Lawson’s rights. Lawson’s attorney asking for delay of trial. At hearing: Lawson requested his trial be delayed to allow his expert to inspect hair evidence. Prosecutors initially sought to DNA test the hairs but withdrew the request after determining they didn't belong to defendants in the case. Attorneys for Lawson still want to have an expert inspect the hairs on behalf of the defense, which the judge ordered they arrange to do before 4/11/25. Lawson's trial, already postponed from February, is currently scheduled for May 27. With prosecutors no longer wanting to test the hairs, it's unclear how Lawson's request to postpone the trial will be impacted. Lawson's next hearing is set for 4/14/25.
4/14/25 Update: The defense still sought to have them [2 hairs] tested, however, arguing in a court document that if they belonged to anyone else besides Rogers it should throw suspicion off of their clients. Judge Simms ruled that they would need to use their own experts for the testing, with a deadline set for last week.
4/18/25 Update: Nelson County Judge Charles Simms denied his motion to conduct additional DNA testing on two hairs found in Crystal Rogers' car & said even if DNA testing revealed the identity of the hairs, it would not have excluded Lawson’s alleged involvement in the case. “The Court also believes the Commonwealth has records to substantiate these telephone calls & tracking data from their phones to establish that Lawson & his son were in the vicinity of said vehicle,” the order said. Also Judge denied postponing trial.
5/13/25 Update: Nelson Circuit Court Judge Charles Simms III’s order on Tuesday “is unusually restrictive for trials in Kentucky.” Judge has set strict limitations on the public & media for the trial. “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 his order. Trial set to begin on 5/27/25 .
*Brooks William Houck (33 @ time of crime/41/now 43) – Last motion hearing on 5/8/25. Trial set to begin on 6/24/25.
*Joseph Stephen Lee Allen Lawson (24 @ time of crime/32/now 34) – Last motion hearing on 12/5/24 [was cancelled]. Trial set to begin on 6/24/25.
 
  • #731
"Nothing compares to the circus-like atmosphere during this case," Simms said. "It got so bad that I did a reserved seating."

Simms later said, "I'm exhausted and the trial hasn't even started." He said the jury doesn't need another distraction.

The trial was moved to Bowling Green in Warren County, Simms saying, "We moved the case down here due to pre-trial publicity."

At least 10 jurors in the first group hadn't heard about the case. Jurors were polled based on their knowledge about the case and asked about their understanding of details. They were also asked if they had formed an opinion.

"The case has captivated the country for the last 10 years," Wolff said.

The potential jurors were also asked if they have a connection to law enforcement.

The unsolved murder of Bardstown Police officer Jason Ellis was also brought up in court and information about it in the Rogers case.

The defense said, "We have not been able to find the Jason Ellis stuff."

Young said, "Nobody ever solved Jason Ellis."
 
  • #732
@LEX18News


The trial for Steven Lawson, one of three people charged in connection with the disappearance of Crystal Rogers, began today in Bowling Green following a change of venue: https://bit.ly/3FtgTAT See all the courtroom sketches on our website, courtesy Sydney Young.



1748398714878.webp1748398725032.webp1748398735829.webp1748398744821.webp




Fifteen jurors, including three alternates, were selected for the trial that got underway this afternoon. The jury consists of 10 women and five men who appeared attentive during opening statements, with some taking notes.



5/27/2025
 
  • #733
  • #734
Posted May 23, 2025


@brennan_crain


Seat assignments dropped this afternoon ahead of next week's trial for Steve Lawson, one of the men charged in connection to the disappearance of Bardstown mother Crystal Rogers. The trial is to be held in Warren County, not Nelson County. I am among the reporters who got a seat.

 
  • #735
  • #736
Wednesday, May 28th:
*Trial continues (Day 2) (@ 8:45am 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). – *Steven Eugene Lawson (48 @ time of crime/53/now 54) indicted, arrested & charged (12/7/23) & arraigned (12/21/23) [indicted Dec, 2023] with conspiracy to commit murder & [indicted May, 2023] with 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. Lawson was booked Wednesday, 5/21/25 into Warren County Regional Jail for trial. Nelson County
Trial began on 5/27/25 & ended on 5/27/25 with jury selection. 15 Jurors (10 women & 5 men).
Trial began on 5/27/25. Trial is being held in Warren County.
Nelson Circuit Court Judge Charles Simms III presiding. Special prosecutor Shane Young. Defense attorneys [public defenders] Darren Wolff & Zach Buckler.

Case & Court info from 12/7/23 thru 5/13/25 reference post #730 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...y-3-july-2015-4-arrest-in-2023.690447/page-37

5/27/25 Tuesday, Jury Selection Day 1: Fifteen jurors, including three alternates, were selected for the trial that got underway this afternoon. The jury consists of 10 women & five men who appeared attentive during opening statements, with some taking notes.
*Opening statements by prosecutor & defense attorney.
*State witness: Sherry Ballard, Crystal's mother.
Trial continues on Wednesday, 5/28/25.

*Brooks William Houck (33 @ time of crime/41/now 43) – Last motion hearing on 5/8/25. Trial set to begin on 6/24/25.
*Joseph Stephen Lee Allen Lawson (24 @ time of crime/32/now 34) – Last motion hearing on 12/5/24 [was cancelled]. Trial set to begin on 6/24/25.
 
  • #737
My heart goes out to poor Sherry Ballard, who not only lost a precious daughter but her husband also.

It boggles the mind that this case has drug on for 10 years. Justice delayed is Justice denied. Hoping to see all 3 Defendants found guilty and given the maximum sentence allowed by law.

JMO
 
  • #738
  • #739
  • #740
Jurors Tuesday were played video footage of Snow interviewing Lawson about the call, during which Lawson acknowledged that he believed Rogers was dead.

Snow said Lawson initially denied making the call but then acknowledged the possibility.

“He said he sometimes gets intoxicated and makes phone calls late at night, many of them to his mother,” Snow said Tuesday.

Asked by Young why he focused his efforts on the phone call, Snow said it was because it happened so soon after Rogers was last seen alive.

The defense cross-examined Snow largely on the quality of the investigation, particularly with respect to the seizure of Rogers’ car, which was stored in a towing facility before being returned to her surviving family in 2017.

Snow said that not all items inside the car were seized, including a hairbrush belonging to Rogers that was processed by a private investigator hired by the producers of an Oxygen Network 2017 TV docuseries about the case.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Staff online

Members online

Online statistics

Members online
141
Guests online
2,661
Total visitors
2,802

Forum statistics

Threads
632,138
Messages
18,622,625
Members
243,032
Latest member
beccabelle70
Back
Top