BARDSTOWN, Ky. — The three men charged in the death of Crystal Rogers will be in a Nelson County courtroom once again Thursday.
Several motions will be discussed in what is expected to be a lengthy hearing.
Rogers, 35, was reported missing over the Fourth of July weekend in 2015. She has been presumed dead for nearly nine years.
Brooks Houck, Rogers’ boyfriend, is charged with murder and tampering with physical evidence in her case. Two other men, Joseph and Steven Lawson, are charged with conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence.
What to expect
Thursday’s hearing was originally scheduled as a status hearing to ensure defense attorneys had received all the evidence in Rogers’ case ahead of next year’s trial.
However, since their last hearing in February, numerous motions have been filed for Judge Charles Simms to consider.
The team of attorneys representing the three suspects all believe their clients will not receive a fair trial in Nelson County and have requested the trial be moved to another county.
Special Prosecutor Shane Young has also asked the judge to combine the suspects’ trials into one, which Houck’s attorney, Brian Butler, has pushed back against.
Here's an updated list of motions expected to be heard:
- Change of Venue – All three men are requesting the trial is moved from Nelson County.
- Charges dismissed – Steve Lawson wants his charges dropped, here's why.
- Disclosure of identity of expert witnesses – Joseph Lawson’s attorney has requested prosecutors reveal the names and testimony that will be provided by experts at trial.
- Combining the trial – Prosecutor Shane Young wants to try all three men at the same time next February.
The hearing will begin at 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 21.
WHAS11 will be providing live updates from inside the courtroom.
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