BARDSTOWN, Ky. — Despite having new attorneys beside him in court, Steve Lawson continues to fight to keep his criminal trial separate from the other suspects charged in the death of Crystal Rogers.
Lawson and his son, Joseph Lawson, were in a Nelson County courtroom again Friday to discuss what evidence could be used at Steve Lawson's trial next year.
The father-and-son duo are charged with conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence in the Bardstown mother's death. Rogers' ex-boyfriend, Brooks Houck, is also charged with murder and tampering with physical evidence.
Steve Lawson's new attorneys told Judge Charles Simms that Lawson would not be waiving his evidentiary protections.
It means any interviews with investigators gathered during the plea process is inadmissible at Steve Lawson's trial. However, the court will admit grand jury testimonies from Lawson.
With this decision made on evidentiary protection, now Simms will consider whether all three suspects should be tried in the same trial. That decision could come within the month.
The next court hearing in the Crystal Rogers case is scheduled for Oct. 25 at 1:30 p.m.
Where will the trial in Crystal Rogers' death be?
As the February 2025 trial date creeps closer, there are still major questions about how that trial will look, including where it will be held.
It's also still unclear whether all three men will be tried together.
Friday, attorneys discussed either Warren or Christian Counties as viable options.
Attorneys had previously agreed on moving the trial to Christian County, but attorneys told WHAS11 Simms was not convinced it was the right space after an in-person visit earlier this summer. It's still up for consideration, however.
"It will be one of those two locations," Simms said Friday. "I have spoken with to the chief circuit judges in both those counties, and they are certain things are good about each facility."
Simms has yet to rule on where the trial will be moved, but an order is expected soon.
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