LOUISVILLE, Ky. — After nearly nine years, a trial date has been set in the death of Crystal Rogers. Three men charged in connection to the Bardstown mother's disappearance appeared in court together on Thursday.
Rogers' was reported missing over the Fourth of July weekend in 2015.
At the end of 2023, her former boyfriend Brooks Houck was charged with murder and tampering with physical evidence in connection to her disappearance.
Steven Lawson, who worked for Houck, and his son Joseph Lawson were also arrested last year in connection to the FBI’s investigation. Both men are charged with conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence.
When is the trial?
It was standing room only in the Nelson County Courthouse with family from both Brooks Houck and Crystal Rogers filling multiple rows.
One by one, each of the suspects were brought into the courtroom.
Joseph Lawson was wheeled in first, followed by his father Steve Lawson. Attorney Ted Lavit, who represents Joseph Lawson, told reporters it was the first time the two had seen each other since being arrested. He said they didn't share any words in passing one another.
Then, finally, Brooks Houck walked into the courtroom dressed in black-and-white with cuffs around his wrist. He sat confidently between his attorneys.
It was a surprise for all three men to be brought in together, but perhaps a sign of what's to come.
Judge Charles Simms set the first trial date in Rogers' death for Feb. 10, 2025 at 9 a.m.
It's likely that trial will be in a different county, Houck's attorney Brian Butler suggested he will be filing a change of venue motion soon.
Attorneys verbally agreed on next year's trial date due to the sheer amount of discovery, which exceeds more than an terabyte of evidence.
Special Prosecutor Shane Young is looking to have all three men tried together next year, but Houck's attorney, Brian Butler, said there is likely to be an objection to that.
The date is also subject to change depending on how long it takes the defense to comb through the discovery.
What's in the discovery?
Evidence included in the discovery includes thousands of documents, hours of police interviews and possible evidence from previous searches.
Young said it comes from three different law enforcement agencies including the FBI, Kentucky State Police and Nelson County Sheriff's Office.
The discovery also includes evidence in the Jason Ellis and Tommy Ballard death investigations. No arrests have been made in either of those cases.
Young believes the prosecution should be finished combing through the discovery by March 15 and should have it turned over to the defense afterwards. A status hearing was also scheduled on March 21, to ensure the defense has that evidence.
Joseph Lawson's bond
Back in the courtroom, attorneys for Joseph Lawson fought for a lower bond saying their client isn't a danger to the public.
His bond is currently set at $500,000, but Attorney Kevin Coleman is looking to have the bond reduced to $50,000. He's also asked for Joseph to be put on home incarceration. Previously, Simms approved a bond reduction for Steve Lawson.
"He's paraplegic, that is just a fact that exists for him," Coleman argued. "That obviously lessons his ability to have any free movement, independent movement. That goes toward his lack of being a flight risk and his lack of being a danger."
The prosecution objected to reducing the bond due to the nature of Joseph's alleged crimes. An attorney also pointed out his numerous prior felony convictions and the actions he did after learning detectives were eyeing him in the Rogers' investigation.
"Once he found out he was a subject of an investigation of what happened to this young woman, he called his associates to give him a cover story, give him an alibi on July 3, the night she went missing," the prosecutor argued.
Judge Simms said he will review the motion and have a decision on the bond reduction by end of day on Monday.
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