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.
"I think it's gonna be difficult for this court to grant a consolidation motion based on what we just elected," Darren Wolff, Steve Lawson's new publicly-appointed attorney, said.
While Sherry Ballard, Rogers' mother, continues coming to court for answers, there's another delay in the process.
Steve Lawson's attorneys accused their client's former lawyer, Ted Lavit, of not providing them with the necessary documents in the Crystal Rogers' case. Lawson fired Lavit during a prior hearing, accusing him of working with attorneys for Brooks Houck.
"We have not received anything from Mr. Lavit," Wolff said.
Under a court order, Lavit is required to give over his former client's file within 14 days or he will need to be at the next hearing to explain why he shouldn't be held in contempt of court.
That next hearing 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.
Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.