BARDSTOWN, Ky. — Special Prosecutor Shane Young is looking to have all three men charged in the death of Crystal Rogers tried at the same time next year.
The Bardstown mother of five disappeared over the Fourth of July weekend in 2015. Rogers has been presumed dead for years. Earlier this year, a trial date for the three men charged in Rogers’ death was scheduled for February 2025.
On Thursday, Young filed motions to consolidate the upcoming trial for Brooks Houck, Joseph Lawson and Steven Lawson.
Houck, Rogers’ former boyfriend has been charged with complicity to murder and tampering with physical evidence. Both Lawsons are charged with conspiracy to murder and tampering with physical evidence, as well.
Young argues the facts and evidence in the case are “identical, overlapping, and would be admissible” if the three men were tried together or separately. He accused the men of killing Rogers and disposing of evidence to conceal the crime.
“A joint trial will ensure [a jury] be given the complete picture of what occurred [on July 3 or July 4 of 2015] and the involvement of each defendant,” Young said in his motion.
Young also noted that all three suspects have recently filed motions to move the trial outside of Nelson County. Their attorneys argue their clients won’t receive a fair trial due to the investigation unfolding in the public eye over the course of several years.
Young said if the trial is moved to another county, it would be another reason to hold a joint trial.
“Requiring multiple trials in another venue would certainly be a waste of judicial resources when the cases involve the same facts surrounding the same events,” he concluded.
This latest motion is one of several to be discussed next Thursday when all three men are back in court.
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