NELSON COUNTY, Ky. — A judge approved a motion to separate the trial of one of the three defendants charged in the disappearance and presumed death of Crystal Rogers on Tuesday, according to a court order.
Brooks Houck is charged with complicity to commit murder and and complicity to tampering with physical evidence.
Steve Lawson and his son Joseph Lawson are both charged with criminal conspiracy to commit murder and complicity to tampering with physical evidence.
In October, the Lawson's petitioned the court to keep their trials separate from each other and from Houck.
Their lawyers say the news coverage of Rogers disappearance and the overflow of evidence in Houck's case would prevent them from having a fair trial.
On Tuesday, a judge approved Steve Lawson to have a separate trial from his codefendants. His trial will be on Feb. 10, 2025.
Houck and Joseph Lawson will still have a joint trial. Their legal counsel will appear in court on Dec. 5 for a new trial date.
Also in October, a judge approved that some police interviews won't be heard at Steve Lawson's trial, however his grand jury testimonies will be.
Judge Charles Simms also ruled the Crystal Rogers' murder trial would be moved 100 miles south of Bardstown to Warren County.
Attorneys are already starting to figure out logistics, like hotel bookings. Judge Charles Simms emphasized he wants all the defendants and their lawyers to stay in different hotels.
"I don't want anything spilling over every night from this trial," he said.
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