Still Missing KY - Crystal Rogers, 35, Bluegrass Parkway, 3 July 2015 #4 *arrest in 2023*

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@LSearcLex

Brooks Houck’s attorney says Houck can’t get a fair trial in Nelson County or any county in Central Ky - including Fayette. He filed a motion today for change of venue #crystalrogers case @LEX18News

1710094584383.png4:12 PM · Mar 7, 2024


These are some of the reasons he gave:


1710094639192.png

Attorney said ‘There is no county adjacent to Nelson Co or Central Ky in which Brooks can receive a fair trial. ‘
 
Gigiky said:
JMO. But because this is such a high profile case, moving his trail a couple of counties away is not going to make a whole lot of difference.(SMH)
Click to expand...
I assume one or both codefendants are going to be witnesses for the state. Given that, and all of the other evidence I'm sure they have, I don't even think it would help his defense if he could be tried in an adjacent state! He's gotten away with so much for so long. It's time to pay the piper! MOO
 

Prosecutor seeks to consolidate cases of the three Crystal Rogers defendants - Nelson County Gazette

NC GAZETTE / WBRT RADIOSTAFF REPORT Thursday, March 14, 2024 -- The prosecutor in the cases involving the three defendants in the Crystal Rogers case has asked the court to consolidate the cases. Special prosecutor Shane Young petitioned the court Wednesday to combine the trials of Brooks Houck...
nelsoncountygazette.com nelsoncountygazette.com

Mar. 14, 2024
Thursday, March 14, 2024 — The prosecutor in the cases involving the three defendants in the Crystal Rogers case has asked the court to consolidate the cases.

Special prosecutor Shane Young petitioned the court Wednesday to combine the trials of Brooks Houck, Steven Lawson, and his son Joseph Lawson into one case in preparation for a possible 2025 trial.

Young argues that all three men face similar charges, and the same evidence will be presented at the trial of each defendant if the trials are held separately.
[.....]
Young states that he would like the motion to consolidate the trials heard at the Nelson Circuit Court hearing set for next week, or as soon as possible after that.
[.....]
EXPERT WITNESS DISCLOSURE. On Monday, Joseph L. Lawson’s defense attorneys filed a motion for an order requiring the prosecutors to disclose the identity of the expert witnesses prosecutors plan to call. They also seek to know the subject matter, the substance of the facts or opinions of expected testimony, their credentials, and any reports or statements by the expert related to his or her expected testimony.

NEXT UP. Brooks Houck, Steven Lawson and Joseph Lawson will be part of a hearing at 1 p.m. in Nelson Circuit Court on Thursday, March 21, 2024.
 
www.whas11.com

'No crime scene, murder weapon, or realistic motive' in Crystal Rogers case, according to attorney

New documents filed by Brooks Houck’s attorney claims he cannot be tried with the other two men charged in the case, because he would be unfairly prejudiced against.
www.whas11.com www.whas11.com

Shay McAlister​

1f6a8.png
CRYSTAL ROGERS CASE- new court documents filed by Brooks Houck's attorney claim the prosecution has little hard evidence including "no crime scene, murder weapon or realistic motive."
They are fighting back against the prosecutor's request to combine all three trials, claiming that would result in prejudice against Houck. The documents claim both Joseph and Steve Lawson were subject to a “biased investigation” using “coercive interrogation tactics", with the goal of building a case against Brooks Houck.
All of this makes next Thursday's court date look more and more interesting.... March 21st at 1pm.
 

Attachments

  • 23CR371 S LAWSON Motion to Consolidate.pdf
    256.5 KB · Views: 2
  • 23CR309 HOUCK Response in Objection (1).pdf
    661 KB · Views: 2
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Emi said:
www.whas11.com

'No crime scene, murder weapon, or realistic motive' in Crystal Rogers case, according to attorney

New documents filed by Brooks Houck’s attorney claims he cannot be tried with the other two men charged in the case, because he would be unfairly prejudiced against.
www.whas11.com www.whas11.com

Shay McAlister​

1f6a8.png
CRYSTAL ROGERS CASE- new court documents filed by Brooks Houck's attorney claim the prosecution has little hard evidence including "no crime scene, murder weapon or realistic motive."
They are fighting back against the prosecutor's request to combine all three trials, claiming that would result in prejudice against Houck. The documents claim both Joseph and Steve Lawson were subject to a “biased investigation” using “coercive interrogation tactics", with the goal of building a case against Brooks Houck.
All of this makes next Thursday's court date look more and more interesting.... March 21st at 1pm.
Click to expand...
Motive? He's a controlling so and so who isn't going to let anyone leave him.

Evidence? Coconspirators have something to say about that.
 

Shay McAlister 5h

BIG NEWS! The Bardstown Podcast is coming back with five brand new episodes. Many of you know how much I care about these cases and these families. I have been waiting for the pieces to fall into place since I first started covering them, nearly nine years ago. Now, answers seem closer than ever before. First episode drops March 26, trailer out now
❤️
I hope you’ll listen and share!

TRAILER: https://tinyurl.com/backtobardstown
back to Bardstown.jpg​

 
Thursday, March 21st:
*Status Hearing (@ 1pm ET) - KY – Crystal M. Rogers (35) (reported missing July 3, 2015; car (with flat tire) was found July 5, 2015 on Bluegrass Parkway near mile marker 14 with keys in ignition & her belongings (phone & purse) in car, Bardstown). – *Brooks William Houck (33 @ time of crime/41/now 42) arrested, charged & indicted (9/27/23) & arraigned (10/5/23) with felony murder & tampering with physical evidence. Bond $10M CASH Only! Reduction of bond (to $500K) denied (10/9/23). KY Supreme Court denied (3/12/24) review of bond reduction. Was transferred (9/27/23) from Nelson County jail to Hardin County Detention Center. Was transferred (12/13/23) to Oldham County Detention Center.
Trial set to begin on 2/10/25.
Nelson Circuit Court Judge Charles Simms III presiding. Defense attorneys Brian Butler, Michael Denbow & Jennifer Henry Jackson.
Case & Court info from 7/23/20 thru 12/13/23 reference post #404 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...y-3-july-2015-4-arrest-in-2023.690447/page-21
12/21/23 Update: Crystal's mother Sherry Ballard has filed a wrongful Death suit on behalf of Crystal & her children against Brooks W. Houck. See post #378 on page 19 thread #4. Next pretrial hearing 2/8/24 @ 1pm.
2/8/24 update: Prosecutor Shane Young said over 1.1 terabytes of discovery has been turned over from three different agencies. He expects that to be completed on 3/15/24. Prosecution believes there is less than a terabyte to review. Judge Simms sets a trial date on 2/10/25 @ 9am. Another status hearing will take place on 3/21/24 @ 1pm. Young is looking to have all three men tried together & all three defense attorneys agreed to the Feb. 10 trial date, but Houck's attorney believes there will be an objection to that eventually. Steven Lawson’s attorney says there’s the possibility he could cooperate with prosecutors & testify against Brooks Houck.
3/7/24 Update: Houck's defense team has officially asked for a change of venue on Thursday. Houck's attorneys say he will not receive a fair trial in Nelson County so they want it moved to Boyd or Daviess County. It requests to move the venue to a neutral county due to the amount of pretrial publicity the case has received. In addition, his attorneys argue he has been negatively affected by the coverage surrounding his brother, Nick Houck, who is the primary suspect of the murder of Tommy Ballard. It requests the trial gets moved to Boyd or Daviess County. Houck’s motion will be heard Thursday, 3/21/24 at 1pm in the Nelson Circuit Court.
3/12/24 Update: The KY Supreme Court denied Houck's request to review the bond decision. That means he will stay in jail on $10 million until trial.
3/14/24 Update: The prosecutor involving the three defendants in the Rogers case has asked the court to consolidate the cases. Special prosecutor Shane Young petitioned the court Wednesday to combine the trials of Brooks Houck, Steven Lawson & his son Joseph Lawson into one case in preparation for a possible 2025 trial. Young argues that all three men face similar charges & the same evidence will be presented at the trial of each defendant if the trials are held separately. Young states that he would like the motion to consolidate the trials heard at the Nelson Circuit Court hearing set for next week, [3/21/24] or as soon as possible after that. Expert witness disclosure. On Monday[3/11/24] Joseph L. Lawson’s defense attorneys filed a motion for an order requiring the prosecutors to disclose the identity of the expert witnesses prosecutors plan to call. They also seek to know the subject matter, the substance of the facts or opinions of expected testimony, their credentials & any reports or statements by the expert related to his or her expected testimony.
3/15/24 Update: Defendant Gouck's response in objection to Commonwealth's Motion to Consolidate filed by Brian Butler, Michael M. Denbow & Jennifer Henry Jackson. Link see post #467, page 24, Thread #4). Houck's attorney claim the prosecution has little hard evidence including "no crime scene, murder weapon or realistic motive." They are fighting back against the prosecutor's request to combine all three trials, claiming that would result in prejudice against Houck. The documents claim both Joseph & Steve Lawson were subject to a “biased investigation” using “coercive interrogation tactics", with the goal of building a case against Brooks Houck.

ALSO:
*Status/Motions Hearing (@ 1pm ET) - KY – Crystal M. Rogers (35) (reported missing July 3, 2015; car (with flat tire) was found (July 5, 2015) on Bluegrass Parkway near mile marker 14 with keys in ignition & her belongings (phone & purse) in car, Bardstown). *Steven Eugene Lawson (48 @ time of crime/53) indicted, arrested & charged (12/7/23) & arraigned (12/21/23) with conspiracy to commit murder & tampering with physical evidence. $500K Cash only bond. Bond reduced to $250K (1/9/24). He's currently incarcerated in Harrison County, IN.
Trial set to begin on 2/10/25.
Nelson Circuit Court Judge Charles Simms III presiding. Special prosecutor Shane Young. Defense attorney Theodore Lavit.
Court info from 12/7/23 thru 1/4/24 reference post #405 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...y-3-july-2015-4-arrest-in-2023.690447/page-21
1/9/24 Update: A Nelson County judge granted Lawson’s motion to reduce his bond from $500K to $250K. But there are certain conditions Lawson must follow. He must adhere to a dusk-to-dawn curfew, except for going to work & medical emergencies. He must remain drug & alcohol free & he can have no contact with Crystal Rogers’ family. Next Status hearing on 2/8/24 @ 1pm.
2/8/24 update: Prosecutor Shane Young said over 1.1 terabytes of discovery has been turned over from three different agencies. He expects that to be completed on 3/15/24. Prosecution believes there is less than a terabyte to review. Judge Simms sets a trial date on 2/10/25 @ 9am. Another status hearing will take place on 3/21/24 @ 1pm. Young is looking to have all three men tried together & all three defense attorneys agreed to the Feb. 10 trial date, but Houck's attorney believes there will be an objection to that eventually. Steven Lawson’s attorney says there’s the possibility he could cooperate with prosecutors & testify against Brooks Houck.
3/5/24 Update: Defendant's Motion to Dismiss or, in the alternative to suppress statements. Steve Lawson's attorney is asking for the charges against him to be dismissed OR the testimony he gave to be excluded from the case. Lawson was interviewed by local investigators in 2015, by the FBI in 2020 & then testified to a grand jury in 2023, all in exchange for a promise of immunity. The prosecutor "made it clear" Lawson's statements could not be used against him. Earlier this year Lawson was indicted on tampering with physical evidence charges because "he assisted in moving Crystal Rogers car. Lawson's attorney included what appears to be transcripts from the interviews, citing multiple conversations where statements like "the more you tell us, the more we'll help you" are mentioned. The attorney is asking for a motion for the indictment to be dismissed at the 3/21/24 hearing. 3/7/24 Update: Lawson: Defendant's Motio for Change of Venue filed. To be heard on 3/21/24.
3/14/24 Update: The prosecutor involving the three defendants in the Rogers case has asked the court to consolidate the cases. Special prosecutor Shane Young petitioned the court Wednesday to combine the trials of Brooks Houck, Steven Lawson & his son Joseph Lawson into one case in preparation for a possible 2025 trial. Young argues that all three men face similar charges & the same evidence will be presented at the trial of each defendant if the trials are held separately. Young states that he would like the motion to consolidate the trials heard at the Nelson Circuit Court hearing set for next week, [3/21/24] or as soon as possible after that. Expert witness disclosure. On Monday[3/11/24] Joseph L. Lawson’s defense attorneys filed a motion for an order requiring the prosecutors to disclose the identity of the expert witnesses prosecutors plan to call. They also seek to know the subject matter, the substance of the facts or opinions of expected testimony, their credentials & any reports or statements by the expert related to his or her expected testimony.

ALSO:
*Status/Motions Hearing (@ 1pm ET) - KY – Crystal M. Rogers (35) (reported missing July 3, 2015; car (with flat tire) was found (July 5, 2015) on Bluegrass Parkway near mile marker 14 with keys in ignition & her belongings (phone & purse) in car, Bardstown). POI – Brooks Houck (33 @ time of crime/now 41) BF official named suspect Oct. 2015. - *Joseph Stephen Lee Allen Lawson (24 @ time of crime/32/now 33) arrested, indicted & charged (7/24/23) with criminal conspiracy to commit murder & charged (6/21/23) with complicity in tampering with physical evidence. Bond $50K unsecured bond (tampering) & $550K Cash bond (conspiracy). Bond reduced (2/12/24) to $250K Cash bond. Plead not guilty. Held in Grayson County Kentucky Detention Center.
Trial set to begin on 2/10/25.
Nelson Circuit Court Judge Charles Simms III presiding. Prosecutor AG Shane Young. Defense attorney Kevin Coleman.
Case & Court info from 7/23/20 thru 12/28/23 reference post #406 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...y-3-july-2015-4-arrest-in-2023.690447/page-21
1/5/24 Update: The bond reduction hearing for Joseph Lawson didn’t happen. Lawson did not show up in person, which caused a hiccup. Both parties agreed they want to have him in person before settling a few things. Joseph, who appeared via Zoom, was moved to the state reformatory in Oldham County & lawyers said they didn’t want to address bond or a trial date until he was in prison. So, they pushed the hearing from Friday until 2/8/24.
2/8/24 update: Prosecutor Shane Young said over 1.1 terabytes of discovery has been turned over from three different agencies. He expects that to be completed on 3/15/24. Prosecution believes there is less than a terabyte to review. Judge Simms sets a trial date on 2/10/25 @ 9am. Another status hearing will take place on 3/21/24 @ 1pm. Young is looking to have all three men tried together & all three defense attorneys agreed to the Feb. 10 trial date, but Houck's attorney believes there will be an objection to that eventually. Steven Lawson’s attorney says there’s the possibility he could cooperate with prosecutors & testify against Brooks Houck. The judge is now focusing on Joseph Lawson's bond reduction hearing. Lawson's bond is currently set at $500K. His attorney, Kevin Coleman, is looking to have the bond reduced to $50K. He's also asking for Lawson to be put on home incarceration. Previously, Simms approved a bond reduction for Steve Lawson. Coleman said Joseph is paraplegic which lessens his ability to be a flight risk & a danger to others. he prosecution objects to reduced bond due to the nature of Joseph Lawson's alleged crimes. An attorney points out his numerous prior felony convictions. Judge Simms said he will have a decision on the bond reduction by the end of day Monday [2/12/24].
2/12/24 Update: In the ruling announced Monday, the judge lowered Steven Lawson's bond to a cash-only $250K bond, the same bond amount as his father. Lawson's attorneys also asked the judge if Lawson could wait for his trial on home incarceration. The judge did not respond to that request in the latest ruling. However, if Lawson were to post bond, the judge ruled he would have to follow a "dusk to dawn" curfew, except for employment & medical emergencies.
3/14/24 Update: The prosecutor involving the three defendants in the Rogers case has asked the court to consolidate the cases. Special prosecutor Shane Young petitioned the court Wednesday to combine the trials of Brooks Houck, Steven Lawson & his son Joseph Lawson into one case in preparation for a possible 2025 trial. Young argues that all three men face similar charges & the same evidence will be presented at the trial of each defendant if the trials are held separately. Young states that he would like the motion to consolidate the trials heard at the Nelson Circuit Court hearing set for next week, [3/21/24] or as soon as possible after that. Expert witness disclosure. On Monday[3/11/24] Joseph L. Lawson’s defense attorneys filed a motion for an order requiring the prosecutors to disclose the identity of the expert witnesses prosecutors plan to call. They also seek to know the subject matter, the substance of the facts or opinions of expected testimony, their credentials & any reports or statements by the expert related to his or her expected testimony.
 

Shay McAlister​

21h ·

Here we go...
All three defendants and the prosecutor have filed motions ahead of Thursday's court date. That means we will hear the attorneys' reasoning for the motion, and response from the prosecutor. From change of venue.... to dismissal of charges... we could be in for a long one!
WHAT TO EXPECT:

433708952_912195693924006_3563618315207549013_n.jpg
 
GoBuckeyes said:
Motive? He's a controlling so and so who isn't going to let anyone leave him.

Evidence? Coconspirators have something to say about that.
Click to expand...
Especially when, if Crystal left and took Eli with her, he'd be paying child support. As tight with the buck as he was -- remember, he refused to pay for groceries that her other children would be eating -- that, alone, would be motive enough for him.
 
www.whas11.com

BLOG: Minute-by-minute what happened when Crystal Rogers suspects appeared in court

Nelson County Judge Charles Simms will consider several motions during the hearing. Here's what to know.
www.whas11.com www.whas11.com

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 – Special Prosecutor Shane Young wants to combine next year's trial for all three men, but Houck's attorney argues the trials should not be combined.
The hearing will begin at 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 21.

Live updates​

1.19 p.m.
Court has adjourned.
1:18 p.m.
Another hearing has been scheduled for May 1 at 1 p.m. to review if attorneys have chosen the new venue for trial.
1:13 p.m.
Lavit said there "may" be the need for another hearing to discuss evidence about promised immunity in Steven Lawson's motion to dismiss charges. Expected to happen in June.
1:10 p.m.
Young said attorneys should have a location chosen within a month. The ruling of combining trials will come later as Young plans to respond to Butler's motion not to combine the trial and each suspect plans to file a response to that.
1:09 p.m.
Young agrees with the defense, the trial should be moved out of Nelson County.
1:08 p.m.
Discovery has been completed by prosecutors. Young clarifies there was 276GB of remaining evidence turned over, not a terabyte as he mentioned during the last hearing. Two interviews are missing, however, which will be turned over in the next two to three months, he said.
1:07 p.m.
Judge Charles Simms has entered the room, the hearing has begun. Joseph Lawson is appearing over Zoom from jail.
1:06 p.m.
Special Prosecutor Shane Young, Steven Lawson's attorney, Ted Lavit, and Brooks Houck's attorney Brian Butler have entered the courtroom.
1:00 p.m.
The courtroom is silent as both Lawson and Houck sit in the Nelson County courtroom. Neither suspect's attorneys have entered the room yet.
12:58 p.m.
Brooks Houck has entered the courtroom.
12:57 p.m
Steven Lawson has entered the courtroom.
12:51 p.m.
Brooks Houck's family, including his mother Rosemary, have entered the courtroom.
12:45 p.m.
Courtroom doors have opened for the community.
12:43 p.m.
Crystal's mother, Sherry Ballard, has entered the courthouse lobby. She's joined by more family members.
12:31 p.m.
A team of attorneys representing Brooks Houck have entered the courtroom.
12:26 p.m.
It's unknown if all three men will appear for the hearing in person. At February's hearing, court was delayed nearly 40 minutes as deputies brought Joseph Lawson to the courthouse.
12:16 p.m.
Doors to the courtroom have not open yet, but the media and community are starting to enter the building. Crystal's grandparents, Till and Betty Ballard, are in attendance.
 
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