Steve Lawson, one of the defendants connected to the disappearance of Bardstown mother Crystal Rogers, has asked the court to delay his upcoming trial.
In a motion filed Friday in Nelson Circuit Court, Lawson’s attorneys requested that his trial, set to begin on February 11, be postponed to an unspecified date.
They argue that more time is needed to thoroughly review evidence provided by prosecutors and ensure an adequate defense.
New Defense Counsel and Evidence Review
Lawson, charged with tampering with physical evidence and conspiracy to commit murder, changed his legal representation after firing his former defense attorney, Theodore Lavit, in August 2023.
His new attorneys, Darren Wolff and Zach Buckler, began representing him shortly after.
According to the motion, Wolff and Buckler were inundated with a significant amount of prosecutorial evidence, described as “anomalously high,” during their initial hearing on August 22.
The attorneys later discovered that Lawson himself had not yet seen this evidence, raising concerns about the trial’s feasibility.
Adding to the complexity, prosecutors recently handed over a collection of evidence compiled by federal investigators.
While prosecutors claimed much of the material is “duplicative” or “irrelevant,” Lawson’s attorneys emphasized that reviewing it in full is critical to building a complete defense.
Lawson echoed his attorneys’ concerns in a sworn affidavit, stating that he needs additional time to “fully comprehend the discovery in my case.”
Scheduled Motion Hearing
The court is set to review the motion on Thursday. If granted, Lawson’s trial will be rescheduled to allow his defense team the necessary time to prepare.
Background on Crystal Rogers Case
Lawson’s trial is one of two connected to the high-profile case of Crystal Rogers, a 35-year-old mother of five who disappeared around July 3, 2015.
Her car was found abandoned on Bluegrass Parkway with her keys, phone, and purse left inside.
Though her body has never been recovered, Rogers is presumed dead by investigators.
In 2023, law enforcement made significant progress in the case, leading to the arrests of Brooks Houck, Rogers’ former boyfriend, and Steve Lawson and his son, Joseph Lawson.
Charges Against the Defendants
Steve Lawson and his son Joseph both face charges of tampering with physical evidence and conspiracy to commit murder.
Houck is charged with murder and tampering with physical evidence. All three men have pleaded not guilty.
In November, Judge Charles Simms III ruled that Houck and Joseph Lawson would face separate trials. Houck’s trial is scheduled to begin on June 24, 2025.
Trial Location and Case Notoriety
Due to the widespread attention surrounding the case, the trials will take place in Warren County rather than Nelson County, where the charges were filed.
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