BARDSTOWN, Ky. — All three men charged in the death of Crystal Rogers were expected to be in court on Thursday, however that has since changed as attorneys now plan to only discuss one motion.
In a new motion filed Monday, attorneys agreed to push back discussions on the state’s motion to hold one trial for Brooks Houck, Steve Lawson and Joseph Lawson.
Neither Houck nor Joseph Lawson will be in court Thursday.
Thursday’s hearing in Nelson County will instead be focused on discussions about whether to drop charges against Steve Lawson. His attorney, Ted Lavit, has argued for months that Lawson was given immunity in exchange for his cooperation with authorities.
According to court documents, prosecutors have no intention of dropping the charges, but instead will exclude certain conversations where immunity was mentioned.
Judge Charles Simms ordered that Lawson’s motion to dismiss should be held prior to any discussion on combining trials.
Not only that, but attorneys also agreed Houck’s latest motion against having his trial combined with the Lawsons should be held separate to any hearing about combining the Lawsons’ trials.
A hearing on the state’s motion to consolidate the trial in relation to Houck’s objection will be held on July 8 at 9 a.m., more than nine years since Rogers was first reported missing.
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