Still Missing KY - Crystal Rogers, 35, Bluegrass Parkway, 3 July 2015 #4 *arrest in 2023*

[Niner]

Thursday, May 29th:
*Trial continues (Day 3) (@ 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. 12 Jurors & 3 alternates (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 & Jury Selection & Trial Day 1 (5/27/25) reference post #737 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...y-3-july-2015-4-arrest-in-2023.690447/page-37
5/28/25 Wednesday, Trial Day 2: State witnesses: Elizabeth Chesser [whose mother dated Steven in 2017]. Jon Snow, a former Nelson County Sheriff’s Dept. detective. Jurors were played video footage of Snow interviewing Lawson about the call, during which Lawson acknowledged that he believed Rogers was dead. Stacie Cramer, who worked with Lawson building rental properties for Houck. Another construction worker.
Trial continues on Thursday, 5/29/25.
*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.

 

[girlhasnoname]

What is with these 3 cowards (4 if you count the other H) conspiring to kill Crystal and leave 5 small children without their Mother? Selfish, sinister and rotten. Poor Sherry, she lost a daughter and a husband, but she has been incredibly strong holding up under all of this emotional turmoil.

Hoping Justice finally comes swiftly and harshly to all of those involved in the murder(s) and coverup. They are NOT above the law.

MOO

 

[Niner]

I have this in my notes that I have not posted - anyone know what is happening with this guy?

Not charged (yet) in Crystal’s case - 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) - *Danny Singleton (60/now 62) indicted (Dec, 2023) & charged (9/12/23) with 38 counts of 1st degree perjury to the grand jury (12/16/15). Plead not guilty. Bond $200K. Nelson County #15CR00341
9/12/23 Update: Police say Danny Singleton lied to a grand jury when he testified about Rogers' disappearance. Singleton appeared before a judge this morning, where a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. Singleton was given a public defender, who may not be his actual attorney in the long run. The attorney said she may have a conflict of interest, that she plans to disclose to the judge and the Commonwealth's Attorney. Singleton worked for Brooks Houck, Rogers' longtime boyfriend & the only suspect in her disappearance last summer. He was indicted in December on 38 counts of perjury. The public defender asked that Singleton's bond of $200K be lowered, but the Commonwealth objected, saying he is a flight risk. This is the second time someone connected to Houck has come under police fire recently. Houck's brother, a former Bardstown police officer, was fired from the department in October.

 

[arielilane]

The trial will continue at 8:30 a.m. CST Thursday. The prosecutors plan to call three witnesses Thursday and expect to rest their case around lunchtime.

Live updates of the trial of Steve Lawson, charged in the murder of Crystal Rogers

The first trial in the murder of Crystal Rogers began Tuesday in Bowling Green nearly 10 years after the Bardstown mother went missing.

www.wdrb.com

5/28/2025

 

[arielilane]

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WDRB) -- On the second day of Steve Lawson's trial in the 2015 murder of Crystal Rogers, perhaps the most surprising moment had nothing to do with Lawson.

After defense attorneys criticized the investigation into Lawson, saying other suspects were ignored, special prosecutor Shane Young loudly informed the jury there are two other suspects: the mother and brother of Rogers' former boyfriend, Brooks Houck.

Brooks Houck's brother and mother are suspects in Crystal Rogers' disappearance, prosecutor says

On the second day of Steve Lawson's trial in the 2015 murder of Crystal Rogers, perhaps the most surprising moment had nothing to do with Lawson.

www.wdrb.com

5.28.2025 updated four hours ago

 

[Niner]

The trial will continue at 8:30 a.m. CST Thursday. The prosecutors plan to call three witnesses Thursday and expect to rest their case around lunchtime.

Live updates of the trial of Steve Lawson, charged in the murder of Crystal Rogers

The first trial in the murder of Crystal Rogers began Tuesday in Bowling Green nearly 10 years after the Bardstown mother went missing.

www.wdrb.com

5/28/2025

Quick trial! Good! Wish I could access these articles you are posting - but not available in my Region.... stupid EU rules!
If you see the witnesses names in one of them - could you post them, please? TIA!

 

[Kudzuu]

Elizabeth Chester
Stacie Cranmer

 

[Kudzuu]

Charlie Girdley
Tim ODaniel
Melissa Dover
Steve Lawson
Mike Schafer

 

[Niner]

Elizabeth Chester
Stacie Cranmer

Charlie Girdley
Tim ODaniel
Melissa Dover
Steve Lawson
Mike Schafer

For the State - the first 2? Rest defense witnesses? Who are they? LE? Friends?
Sorry I should have asked that in the beginning when I asked for witnesses' names...

 

[Niner]

For the State - the first 2? Rest defense witnesses? Who are they? LE? Friends?
Sorry I should have asked that in the beginning when I asked for witnesses' names...

Oh never mind - I see they were witnesses for yesterday. I am re-doing that day as I did not have everyone's names from the article I read. But Thanks!

But these last 3 you mentioned
Melissa Dover
Steve Lawson
Mike Schafer

are they for today, Thursday, the 29th? If Steve took the stand - it must be for the defense. No??

 

[Emi]

The state rested today and defense have started to present the case today
Steven Lawson hasnt been a witness yet
The defense has DNA expert Dr. Karl Reich, a forensic scientist, was the last witness to testify Thursday.
2 more witnesses for the defense tomorrow and then it will be closings and the jury to get ther take on it.
Jury consists of 10 women and 5 men

 

[Emi]

This thread should be in trials
The second start will start Jun 24th

 

[Megnut]

I can't believe there's any kind of hold up in this case over the hairbrush. As if it contains the hair of a mystery suspect, exonerated the others. As if LE was negligent in not collecting it, negligent for not testing it.

In what way would that hairbrush inform this crime? It doesn't. No one stopped killing Crystal or stopped moving her body to take a minute to count out twenty brushes for luxurious tresses. Making it into something it's not, well, that's what this is. Divide, delay.

It was probably her children's hair.

May convictions be swift.

JMO

 

[arielilane]

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WDRB) -- In damning jail phone calls played Thursday for jurors in the Steve Lawson trial, his mother and another person repeatedly criticized him for his role in the disappearance of Crystal Rogers.

Steve Lawson's mother expressed anger with him for his role in Crystal Rogers' murder

The prosecution rested it's case Thursday and defense attorneys called one witness before the trial ended for the day. Two defense witnesses could not be present until Friday morning.

www.wdrb.com

Live updates of the trial of Steve Lawson, charged in the murder of Crystal Rogers

1:30 p.m. CST Thursday​

The defense's first witness after the prosecution rested Thursday was Dr. Karl Reich, a nationally renown forensic DNA expert.

Most of his testimony centered around the two hairs found in Rogers' car that were never tested. Detective Jon Snow, lead investigator on the case for the Nelson County Sheriff's Department, testified Wednesday that tape lifts of the hair were collected and sent to Kentucky State Police for further analysis, but they opted not to go through with the testing because it would have destroyed the hair.

10:45 a.m. CST Thursday​

After the prosecution rested Thursday morning, the defense motioned to acquit Steve Lawson on his conspiracy to commit murder charge. Defense attorney Darren Wolff said, based on the evidence presented by the prosecution, it's reasonable the jury can't come to a guilty verdict on that charge. Prosecutor Shane Young replied the conspiracy charge requires there be an agreement, and there was an agreement between Houck and Steve Lawson.

Judge Charles Simms III then denied the motion.

10:15 a.m. CST Thursday​

The prosecution called its final witness Thursday and played the court two phone calls made by Steve Lawson from jail in January 2024. In the first, on Jan. 5, Steve Lawson's mother asked him what happened to Rogers. He replied he didn't know where her body was but acknowledged that Houck told him he wanted Rogers gone and he helped move her car.

His mother repeatedly chastised him for not going to police, to which he replied "you're right."

9:30 a.m. CST Thursday​

The defense began its final day of witnesses Thursday by calling Detective Mike Schafer with the Kentucky Office of Attorney General. Schafer, a former FBI special agent, interviewed Steve Lawson in 2020 at the Nelson County Sheriff's Office.

The court played a 20-minute clip of that interview before Schafer's testimony with the judge, jury and witnesses wearing headphones to hear the audio. However, Steve Lawson removed his headphones just about five minutes into the recording. Much of the interview centered on two phone calls made in the hours and days after Rogers disappeared between Steve Lawson and Brooks Houck.


Brooks Houck's brother and mother are suspects in Crystal Rogers' disappearance, prosecutor says

Steve Lawson had minor involvement in Crystal Rogers case, but didn't help in murder, attorney says

 

[arielilane]

@WHAS11


Here's 3 big takeaways from Day 3 of Steve Lawson's trial in Crystal Rogers case:

https://whas11.com/article/news/investigations/bardstown/crystal-rogers-steve-lawson-trial-day-3-recap-witness-testimony-nick-houck/417-3e55515e-fcc7-4f6e-a3a9-983be9620020

https://twitter.com/x/status/1928177450283827472

 

[arielilane]

The prosecution rested its case and handed the baton to the defense May 29 in the Steven Lawson trial, concluding three days of prosecutorial testimony from more than 10 witnesses that included Lawson’s stepdaughters, co-workers and case investigators.

While Judge Charles Simms III initially indicated Lawson's defense could conclude its witness testimony by the end of the day, only one witness for the defense was called to the stand. Testimony will continue May 30 in the first of two trials to take place in connection with the disappearance of Crystal Rogers, the Bardstown mother who disappeared nearly a decade ago.

Lawson, 54, has been charged with conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence.

Steven Lawson trial: 3 takeaways from Day 3 of first trial in Crystal Rogers case

Two of the defense's witnesses did not show up, changing the judge's plans for the defense to rest its case May 30.

www.yahoo.com

Trial timeline could be affected by no-show witnesses​

After the prosecution rested its case, the defense only called one witness to the stand: Karl Reich, an expert in forensic DNA who lives and works near Chicago.


Simms initially told jurors prior to lunch that he hoped to conclude the defense's witness list by the end of the day and start closing arguments the following day. That plan was derailed after two witnesses failed to show up, forcing the court to continue the case into May 30.

 

[Niner]

Friday, May 30th:
*Trial continues (Day 4) (@ 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. 12 Jurors & 3 alternates (10 women & 5 men).
Trial began on 5/27/25 & prosecutors rested on 5/29/25. Defense started their case on 5/29/25.
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 & Jury Selection & Trial Day 1-2 (5/27-5/28/25) reference post #741 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...y-3-july-2015-4-arrest-in-2023.690447/page-38
5/28/25 Wednesday, Trial Day 2 [additional info]: State witnesses: Former Nelson County Sheriff's Office Detective Jon Snow, who led the investigation from 2015-2019 before the FBI took over in 2020. Lauren Hardin, daughter of Lawson’s late ex-wife, Tammy Lawson. Elizabeth Chesser, the daughter of Lawson’s most recent wife & the mother of Joseph Lawson’s child. Stacie Cranmer, who built decks & installed insulation for Houck. Charlie Girdley, another former employee for Houck. Tim O’Daniel, a detective with the Louisville Metro Police Digital Forensics Unit, said the Kentucky State Police approached him in 2022 to analyze information from Lawson’s cell phone. Melissa Dover, a crime & intelligence analyst with the Elizabethtown Police Dept, testified about a report she prepared about calls exchanged between Steven, Joseph & Tammy Lawson that night.
5/29/25 Thursday, Trial Day 3: State witness: Detective Mike Schafer with the Kentucky Office of Attorney General. Schafer, a former FBI special agent, interviewed Steve Lawson in 2020 at the Nelson County Sheriff's Office. The court played a 20-minute clip of that interview before Schafer's testimony with the judge, jury & witnesses wearing headphones to hear the audio.
*Prosecutors rested their case. Defense attorney Darren Wolff said, based on the evidence presented by the prosecution, it's reasonable the jury can't come to a guilty verdict on that charge. Prosecutor Shane Young replied the conspiracy charge requires there be an agreement, and there was an agreement between Houck & Steve Lawson. Judge Charles Simms III then denied the motion.
Defense witness: Dr. Karl Reich, a nationally renown forensic DNA expert. 2 of the defense witnesses failed to show up, so they will continue the case tomorrow. Trial continues on Friday, 5/30/25.
*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.

 

[arielilane]

Posted 5/28/2025

@LSearcLex


Bombshell testimony - the daughter of Lawson’s ex said in 2017 Lawson admitted he committed murder. Says he told her he moved Crystal’s car and allegedly said “no evidence, no case.” Defense asked her if she called police - she said no. Says she told FBI same thing in 2019

https://twitter.com/x/status/1927757167110574362

 

[arielilane]

10 a.m. CST Friday​

Defense started the day by calling Barbara Jane Coulter, Steve Lawson's mother, to the stand. She was asked about watching a documentary about Rogers.

When asked about a phone call with Lawson while he was in jail, she said it was a very heated phone call and that she flat out asked him not to lie about what he did or knew. She also admitted that she grilled him about the case.

Coulter said there was a lot of cursing during the phone call.

Steve Lawson then the stand and told the jury several times he doesn't know if Rogers is dead or if Houck has anything to do with her disappearance.

"I was just moving a vehicle," Lawson said. "That's what I was told."

Live updates of the trial of Steve Lawson, charged in the murder of Crystal Rogers

The first trial in the murder of Crystal Rogers began Tuesday in Bowling Green nearly 10 years after the Bardstown mother went missing.

www.wdrb.com

updated 20 minutes ago

 

[arielilane]

When told he lied a lot during the investigation, Lawson said "I didn't want to man up and take the blame." He said he moved her seat forward because his son was much taller than Rogers and grabbed a mini baseball bat from the car.

When talking with Houck, he told Lawson he wanted his wife "taken care of." Lawson said you mean gone like "deceased?" Lawson said he wasn't the man for it and Houck had a lot of people working for him.

Lawson testified he never asked why Houck wanted the car moved, and said he still doesn't know to this day. He also said in his testimony that he is guilty of tampering with evidence.

Prosecutor Jim Lesousky told Lawson that he testified in front of the grand jury that he helped move the car because there was a deal to get more work from Brooks, which is who he worked for, but Lawson denied that saying he had asked for more work before July 2015.

Lawson said he never agreed to help aid Houck in Rogers' disappearance and that he doesn't know that he did anything to her.

Lesousky asked if Houck told him why he wanted the car moved and Lawson said Houck never said why, “Why was I supposed to?”

Live updates of the trial of Steve Lawson, charged in the murder of Crystal Rogers

The first trial in the murder of Crystal Rogers began Tuesday in Bowling Green nearly 10 years after the Bardstown mother went missing.

www.wdrb.com