Trials & Sentencing for August, 2025

[Niner]

For the week of Monday, August 4th thru Friday, August 8th:

Wednesday, August 6th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 3pm ET) - KY – Crystal Maria 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/now 54) indicted, arrested & charged (12/7/23) & arraigned (12/21/23) [indicted Dec, 2023] with conspiracy to commit murder & [indicted May, 2023] with tampering with physical evidence. Plead not guilty. $500K Cash only bond. Bond reduced to $250K (1/9/24). He's currently incarcerated in Harrison County, IN. Lawson was serving time at the Kentucky State Reformatory for a previous conviction, but that time will be served out in the coming weeks. He was moved to the Grayson County Detention Center this morning (5/3/24) & is currently in custody. Lawson was booked Wednesday, 5/21/25 into Warren County Regional Jail for trial. Nelson County
Trial began on 5/27/25 & ended on 5/27/25 with jury selection. 12 Jurors & 3 alternates (9 women & 3 men/Alternates: 1 woman & 2 men).
Trial began on 5/27/25 & prosecutors rested on 5/29/25. Defense started their case on 5/29/25 & ended 5/30/25. Trial is being held in Warren County.
Jury Deliberations: Day 1: ~2 hours & 23 minutes total. VERDICT: Guilty of both charges.
Nelson Circuit Court Judge Charles Simms III presiding. Special prosecutor Shane Young & Prosecutor Jim Lesousky. Defense attorneys [public defenders] Darren Wolff & Zach Buckler.
Case & Court info from 12/7/23 thru 5/13/25 & Jury Selection & Trial Day 1-3 (5/27-5/29/25) reference post #757 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...y-3-july-2015-4-arrest-in-2023.690447/page-38
5/30/25 Friday, Trial Day 4: Defense witnesses: Barbara Jane Coulter, Steve Lawson's mother. Steve Lawson.
*Defense have rested their case.
*The judge has given jury instructions & closing arguments are set to begin at 11am. Following closing arguments, the jury will then begin deliberating.
*Closing arguments by prosecutor Jim Lesousky & defense attorney Darren Wolff.
*Jury deliberated for about 2 hours 23 minutes. Lawson was found guilty on both charges, conspiracy to commit murder & tampering with physical evidence. The jury recommended Lawson to 17 years in prison & the formal sentencing is scheduled for 8/6/25.
6/5/25 Update: Lawson is asking for a new trial less than a week after a jury found him guilty of all charges related to his role in Crystal’s disappearance. In court documents filed Wednesday, Lawson’s attorney argued he wasn’t given adequate preparation time for the trial because of the “uniquely overwhelming volume of discover(y) in this case.” “Discovery included over 400,000 pages of written documents & hundreds (if not thousands) of hours of audio & video recording, as well as supplemental discovery provided during 2024 & 2025,” according to the court document. It continues on to say that while there was some assistance from the court, they were still unable to prepare an adequate defense & that Lawson “barely scratched the surface of his own discovery.” The motion also cited errors involving DNA testing & failures of jury instruction.
*Brooks William Houck (33 @ time of crime/41/now 43) – Found guilty of all charges [7/8/25]. Sentencing hearing on 8/21/25.
*Joseph Stephen Lee Allen Lawson (24 @ time of crime/32/now 34) – Found guilty of all charges [7/8/25]. Sentencing hearing on 8/21/25.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Wednesday, August 6th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 3pm ET) - KY – Crystal Maria 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/now 54) indicted, arrested & charged (12/7/23) & arraigned (12/21/23) [indicted Dec, 2023] with conspiracy to commit murder & [indicted May, 2023] with tampering with physical evidence. Plead not guilty. $500K Cash only bond. Bond reduced to $250K (1/9/24). He's currently incarcerated in Harrison County, IN. Lawson was serving time at the Kentucky State Reformatory for a previous conviction, but that time will be served out in the coming weeks. He was moved to the Grayson County Detention Center this morning (5/3/24) & is currently in custody. Lawson was booked Wednesday, 5/21/25 into Warren County Regional Jail for trial. Nelson County
Trial began on 5/27/25 & ended on 5/27/25 with jury selection. 12 Jurors & 3 alternates (9 women & 3 men/Alternates: 1 woman & 2 men).
Trial began on 5/27/25 & prosecutors rested on 5/29/25. Defense started their case on 5/29/25 & ended 5/30/25. Trial is being held in Warren County.
Jury Deliberations: Day 1: ~2 hours & 23 minutes total. VERDICT: Guilty of both charges.
Nelson Circuit Court Judge Charles Simms III presiding. Special prosecutor Shane Young & Prosecutor Jim Lesousky. Defense attorneys [public defenders] Darren Wolff & Zach Buckler.
Case & Court info from 12/7/23 thru 5/13/25 & Jury Selection & Trial Day 1-4 (5/27-5/30/25) & thru 6/5/25 reference post #18 here:
https://websleuths.com/threads/ky-c...-arrest-in-2023-brooks-houck-on-trial.748835/
5/30/25 Friday, Trial Day 4: Lawson was found guilty on both charges, conspiracy to commit murder & tampering with physical evidence. The jury recommended Lawson to 17 years in prison & the formal sentencing is scheduled for 8/6/25.
8/6/25 Update: Lawson has been formally sentenced to 17 years in prison for his role in Crystal Rogers’ murder. If Lawson chooses to appeal, he has to file the appeal within 30 days.
*Brooks William Houck (33 @ time of crime/41/now 43) – Found guilty of all charges [7/8/25]. Sentencing hearing on 8/21/25.
*Joseph Stephen Lee Allen Lawson (24 @ time of crime/32/now 34) – Found guilty of all charges [7/8/25]. Sentencing hearing on 8/21/25.

 

[Niner]

For the week of Monday, August 11th thru Friday, August 15th:

Monday, August 11th:
*Trial set to begin (@ 9:30am ET) – FL – Kameela Russell (41) (May 15, 2019, last seen in driveway of Aunt’s house, found May 25, 2019 in Snake Creek canal, City of Miami Gardens) - *Ernest Joseph Roberts (39/now 46) arrested (6/14/19), charged (6/13/19), indicted (7/17/19) & arraigned (7/18/19) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. No bond. (5/18/20: bond denied due to COVID). DP Case. DA has waived the DP. Miami-Dade
Trial was set to begin on 5/19/25 continued on 8/11/25.
Judge Alberto Milian presiding. Prosecutor Arvind Singh & Defense attorney Roderick Vereen.
Court info from 10/13/20 thru 2/24/25 reference post #225 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ami-gardens-15-may-2019-arrest.445549/page-11
5/19/25 Update: Motion for continuance filed. Oral hearing set on 5/19/25. Continuance granted for defense. Trial is now set to begin on 8/11/25 @ 9:30am.

*Trial set to begin (@ 9am ET) - GA - Boy (6) Brutally beaten by mom's bf from June 4 thru June 6, 2023 suffering broken bones, blood clots in his lung & bleeding on the brain; fighting for his life & is in extremely grave condition in Conley. Update 7/25/23: The child has come out of a coma & is slowly recovering. *Napoleon Tracey Ates, Jr. (36/now 38) arrested (6/6/23), charged (6/7/23), indicted (1/17/24) & arraigned (4/5/24 & 8/2/24) with aggravated battery, aggravated assault w/deadly weapon, aggravated cruelty to children in the 1st degree, 2 counts of cruelty to children in the 2nd degree, battery, cruelty to children-allow child to witness, making false statements & contributing to deprivation of a minor. Bond denied on 6 charges & a total bond set at $15K on 3 charges/for Jan. charges bond at $7K) Plead not guilty [8/2/24]. Clayton County
Additionally charged (3/30/24) & with aggravated assault, cruelty to children in the 1st degree & battery-Family violence. Clayton County
*Porshe Renee Wells (33/now 35) arrested (6/7/23), charged (6/8/23), indicted (1/17/24) & arraigned (6/7/24 & 8/2/24) with cruelty to children in the 1st degree, cruelty to children in the 2nd degree, cruelty to children in the 3rd degree, contributing to deprivation of a minor, making a false statement, aggravated battery & aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Bond amounts range from $2K to $8K (total $27,500) with the exception of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon-no bond. Plead not guilty [8/2/24]. Clayton County
Trial was set to begin on 6/23/25 was reset on 8/11/25.
Clayton Superior Court Judge Robert L. Mack Jr. presiding. Defense attorneys Jordan Price & Karlyn Skall for Ates & attorney Charles Tierrance for Wells.
Case & court info from 6/4/23 (Ates) & 6/7/23 (Wells) thru 5/1/25 reference post #118 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ed-atlanta-clayton-co-june-2023.680727/page-6
6/23/25 Update: Trial has been reset on 8/11/25.

*Trial set to begin (@ 8am MT) - CO - Jesus Dominguez, Jr. (5/now ~11) & Yesenia Dominguez (3/now ~9) missing. Jesus was found (2/6/24) in a suitcase in Minjarez scrapped car. Yesenia was found (1/20/24) encased in concrete container at King’s Storage Ce nter. They were both last seen in the summer of 2018 (6/1/18). - *Corena Rose Minjarez (30 @ time of crime/36/now 37) arrested & charged (2/15/24) & arraigned (11/22/24) with 2 counts of 1st degree murder & 2 counts of abuse of corpse. Bond $2M. Plead not guilty [11/22/24]. Pueblo County
Trial set to begin on 8/11/25 (thru 8/29/25).
JUdge Allison Ernst presiding. Deputy DA Kyle McCarthy. Minjarez' defense attorney Alby Singleton, head of the Colorado State Public Defender's Office in Pueblo & Public Defender Tilyn Bell.
Case & court info from 1/10/24 thru 7/10/25 reference post #68 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-2018-pueblo-10-jan-2024-arrest.702899/page-4
7/25/25 Update: Next status conference hearing on 7/30/25 @ 1:15pm. 7/30/25 Update: Status hearing held. Next trial set to begin on 8/11/25 thru 8/29/25 all @ 8am.
*Jesus Dominguez (29 @ time of crime/35/now 36) – Took plea deal & plead guilty to 2nd degree murder. Sentencing hearing on 9/12/25.


Tuesday, August 12th:
*Trial [Long Cause] Hearing (Divorce) (@ 8:30am PT) – CA – Sherri Louise Papini (39/now 45) vs. Keith Papini (38/now 42) Divorce case filed April, 2022. Shasta County
Keith has already won a series of legal battles in the divorce – including having his ex-wife declared an ‘unfit parent’ & gaining sole legal & physical custody of T & V. Papini is allowed only supervised visits with the children which take place at a court building in Redding & voice & video calls at Keith’s discretion.
On March 3, 2022, Sherri Papini was arrested by the FBI, accused of lying to federal agents & faking her kidnapping to spend time with her ex-boyfriend, away from her husband & family. Six weeks after her arrest, Papini signed a plea deal admitting that she had orchestrated the hoax. In September, 2022, she was sentenced to 18 months in prison & fined $300,000. Papini was released from prison in August, 2023 & placed in a halfway house. In April, 2022, a few days after Sherri pleaded guilty to fraud charges, Keith filed for divorce from his wife & for sole custody of their children.
Trial set to begin on 8/12/25 (thru 8/14/25).
Judge Kathryn J. Barton presiding. Keith’s defense attorney Conard Manuel of Manuel & Tescher retained. Sherri’s defense attorneys Kinney & Kinney.
Case info from 4/20/22 thru 5/20/25 reference post #29 here:
https://websleuths.com/threads/ca-s...ion-nov-2016-arrest-mar-2022-27.744282/page-2
5/21/25 Docket updates: Media requested filed (2). Next trial readiness conference hearing on 5/27/25 @ 8:29am. 5/27/25 Update: Trial readiness conference hearing was continued re party's motion. 6/3/25 Docket updates: Media requests filed (3). Next trial: long cause hearing on 8/12/25 thru 8/14/25 all @ 8:30am.
6/4/25 Update: The day after the docuseries premiered (May 26, 2025), Keith & Sherri Papini’s lawyers met about the couple’s contentious child custody proceedings. It’s been decided that the matter should go to trial from Aug. 12-14, a family court battle that will no doubt be followed by the national media. The next day on May 28, Papini’s lawyers were back in court to file a restraining order against a Northern California woman. The woman has publicly identified herself on Go Fund Me and Reddit as the ex-partner of Papini’s current boyfriend. She alleges that her partner of 16 years abandoned her & their daughter to be with Papini. On Tuesday, the Redding Record Searchlight reported that Papini is being evicted from a Shingletown home by a different ex-boyfriend. According to the outlet, Papini & the man initially agreed she would buy the home from him, but the deal fell apart when they ended the relationship. He reportedly served her an eviction notice, but she is refusing to leave the property. Neither this man nor the one allegedly involved in the restraining order is the same man who Papini claims kidnapped her.
Kathleen Papini vs Sherri Papini. Unlimited Breach of contract/warranty for $50K – Trial was set to begin on 8/5/25 was vacated on 1/10/25.


Friday, August 15th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 10am ET) - IA - Michele "Luna" Jackson (17) missing Sept. 22, 2024 & found deceased on Sept. 23, 2024 in Farnhamville City Park. *Nathaniel Kyven Bevers McGivney (21/now 22) arrested & charged (9/23/24) with abuse of corpse-failing to disclose known location [Class D felony] [<<charges were dismissed 10/11/24], charged (10/11/24) & arraigned (10/11/24) with 1st degree murder & abuse of corpse-hide & bury. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Calhoun County
Bench [Non Jury] Trial began on 7/8/25 & ended on 7/9/25. VERDICT: Guilty of 1st degree murder & abuse of corpse.
Judge Derek J. Johnson presiding. DA Andrew Breese Prosser or Calhoun County Attorney Ben Smith. Defense attorney Charles J. Kenville.
Case & court info from 9/22/24 thru 6/30/25 & Trial Days 1-2 [7/8-9/25] reference post #58 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ead-in-farnhamville-sep-24-2024.724626/page-3
7/9/25 Wednesday, Trial Day 2: Judge Derek Johnson deliberated for nearly two hours before ruling that Bevers McGivney was guilty of first-degree murder & abuse of a corpse for his attempts to hide Jackson’s body. Sentencing hearing on 8/15/25 & faces a mandatory life sentence without parole.
7/10/25 Docket update: [D0129] Order for maintenance of Exhibit. For exhibits not able to be electronically filed by Derek Johnson.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Friday, August 15th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 2:30pm ET) - IA - Michele "Luna" Jackson (17) missing Sept. 22, 2024 & found deceased on Sept. 23, 2024 in Farnhamville City Park. *Nathaniel Kyven Bevers McGivney (21/now 22) arrested & charged (9/23/24) with abuse of corpse-failing to disclose known location [Class D felony] [<<charges were dismissed 10/11/24], charged (10/11/24) & arraigned (10/11/24) with 1st degree murder & abuse of corpse-hide & bury. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Calhoun County
Bench [Non Jury] Trial began on 7/8/25 & ended on 7/9/25. VERDICT: Guilty of 1st degree murder & abuse of corpse.
Judge Derek J. Johnson presiding. DA Andrew Breese Prosser or Calhoun County Attorney Benjamin Smith. Defense attorney Charles J. Kenville.
Case & court info from 9/22/24 thru 6/30/25 & Trial Days 1-2 [7/8-9/25] & thru 8/6/25 reference post #61 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ead-in-farnhamville-sep-24-2024.724626/page-4
8/11/25 Docket updates: [D0133] Order for continuance filed by Derek Johnson. Sentencing hearing on 8/15/25 @ 2:30pm. [D134] & [D135] entered in error. [D138] & [D139] Non expert witness fee claim filed by Benjamin Smith. 8/12/25 Docket updates: [D136] State's motion for hybrid proceeding to allow remote appearance by victim's sister at sentencing hearing (uncontested) filed by Benjamin Smith. [D137] Other Order. Motion for victim's sister to appear by Zoom is granted by Derek Johnson.
8/15/25 Update: Bevers McGivney was sentenced to life without parole.

 

[Niner]

For the week of Monday, August 18th thru Friday, August 22nd:

Monday, August 18th:
*Trial continues (Day 3) (@ 8:20am MT) - CO - Jesus Dominguez, Jr. (5/now ~11) & Yesenia Dominguez (3/now ~9) missing. Jesus was found (2/6/24) in a suitcase in Minjarez scrapped car. Yesenia was found (1/20/24) encased in concrete container at King’s Storage Ce nter. They were both last seen in the summer of 2018 (6/1/18). - *Corena Rose Minjarez (30 @ time of crime/36/now 37) arrested & charged (2/15/24) & arraigned (11/22/24) with 2 counts of 1st degree murder & 2 counts of abuse of corpse. Bond $2M. Plead not guilty [11/22/24]. Pueblo County
Trial began on 8/11/25 (thru 8/29/25). Jury: 12 jurors & 2 alternates.
Judge Allison Ernst presiding. Deputy DA Kyle McCarthy. Minjarez' defense attorney Alby Singleton, head of the Colorado State Public Defender's Office in Pueblo & Public Defenders Alby Singleton & Tilyn Bell.
Case & court info from 1/10/24 thru 7/30/25 & Jury Selection Days 1-3 (8/11-8/13/25) & Trial Day 1 (8/14/25) reference post #77 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-2018-pueblo-10-jan-2024-arrest.702899/page-4
8/15/25 Friday, Trial Day 2: State witnesses: Sgt. Steven Jesik [with the crime scene investigation (CSI) unit of the Pueblo Police Dept. Barbara Sanchez [who was like, “a second grandmother,” to Yesenia & Jesus Jr]. Minjarez’s sister [no name given]. Trial continues on Monday, 8/18/25.
*Jesus Dominguez (29 @ time of crime/35/now 36) – Took plea deal & plead guilty to 2nd degree murder & other charges were dismissed & he will testify against Minjarez. Sentencing hearing on 9/12/25.

Tuesday, August 19th:
*Jury Selection set to begin (@ 8:30am ET) - FL - Daniel Eric Markel (41) (shot to death July 18, 2014, Tallahassee) - *Donna Sue Adelson (64 @ time of crime/73/now 75) arrested by FBI @ Miami Intl. Airport (11/13/23) on out-of-County warrant from Leon County arrest Warrant [#FW23102353] & indicted (11/15/23), charged (11/21/23) & arraigned (12/11/23) with 1st degree murder, conspiracy to commit 1st degree murder & solicitation to commit 1st degree murder. No bond. Held at Miami-Dade County Jail (Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Leon County has 15 days to extradite from Miami-Dade County). Transferred from Miami-Dade to Leon County on 11/20/23. Transferred to Wakulla Detention Facility on 6/6/25. Held without bond (murder), $25K (conspiracy) & $25K (solicitation) on 11/21/23. Plead not guilty. Transferred to Leon County jail on 8/14/25. Leon County
Jury selection set to begin on 8/19/25. [thru 8/23/25]
Trial set to begin on 8/25/25. [thru 9/5/25]
Leon County Circuit Judge Stephen S. Everett presiding. Prosecutor Georgia Cappelman & Assistant State attorney Sarah Dugan. Defense attorney Adam J. Komisar, Jackie Fulford & Joshua D. Zelman.
Case & Court info from 11/13/23 thru 7/11/25 reference post #345 here:
https://websleuths.com/threads/fl-f...murdered-by-hitmen-4-guilty-26.739874/page-20
7/14/25 Docket update: State's Motion to transcribe trial testimony [Donna Adelson]. See post #289, page 15 for document. 7/21/25 Update: Adelson’s attorneys filed new arguments Monday night, arguing certain evidence should not be allowed in her murder trial. Adelson’s lawyers are asking the judge to block prosecutors from using Adelson’s attempt to leave the country as evidence of guilt. Prosecutors say her intent to travel to a non-extradition country shows consciousness of guilt, but defense attorneys claim she did not know there was a warrant for her arrest & she would have otherwise been free to travel. The judge previously rejected this request, and it is unclear if or when he’ll reconsider. Next final pretrial hearing on 8/8/25.
8/8/25 Update: Judge Stephen Everett presided over Adelson’s final pretrial hearing before her trial, which is set to start 8/19/25. Several defense motions were discussed, including how the divorce pleadings between Donna Adelson’s daughter, Wendi Adelson & her former son-in-law Dan Markel are permitted to be discussed in the trial. Judge Everett said the State can use the divorce pleadings as demonstrative evidence. Other defense motions, including the testimony of Steven Webster, the attorney who represented the now deceased Dan Markel, were decided on. Judge Everett ruled that Webster can testify factually but is not allowed to offer any opinion. In reference to a defense motion concerning Luis Rivera & his role with the “Latin Kings” gang, Judge Everett ruled that Rivera’s role as a gang member may be inquired into & he is permitted to be cross-examined on this. Rivera is to remain under the defense’s subpoena until the trial begins. Another motion decided on is related to how much Adelson’s travel, as consciousness of guilt, can influence the case. This pertains to Adelson’s arrest at Miami's airport, where she was trying to board a flight to Vietnam. Defense attorney Joshua Zelman said a warrant was not out for her arrest. Prosecutors have said she was trying to flee. Judge Everett ruled consistent with previous options that the jury can decide on the significance of this issue. All motions in the case had to be filed by 7/21/25 & no further motions will be considered after today's hearing. Jury selection is set to begin on 8/19/25 with the number of prospective jurors they have summoned to be nearly 300. 50 will be pre-screened each morning & afternoon beginning on the 19th until the court has been 100 & 110. Eventually, 12 jurors, with 3 alternates, will be selected. With regards to the number of days the State & Defense need to present their cases, both sides said about 6 would be most likely. Trial could run through the week of September.
8/15/25 Update: On-going unresolved motion to suppress testimony is regarding Mickey Melissa Easterwood. Drina Bernhardt & Easterwood are two jailhouse “friends” of Donna Adelson, turned State informants in the recent investigation. Adelson’s lawyers filed motions to prevent them from testifying at the trial. Bernhardt might testify to some degree but the motion, state written response & expected Judge’s order are still under seal. The Judge has not yet ruled on the motion to suppress Easterwood’s testimony.

Thursday, August 21st:
*Sentencing Hearing [for both] (@ 1pm ET) - KY – Crystal Maria 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 43) arrested, charged & indicted (9/27/23) & arraigned (10/5/23) with felony murder & tampering with physical evidence. Plead not guilty. 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. Transferred on 6/18/25 to Warren County Regional Jail. Nelson County
*Joseph Stephen Lee Allen Lawson (24 @ time of crime/32/now 34) 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. Transferred on 6/18/25 to Warren County Regional Jail. Nelson County
Jury selection began on 6/24/25 & ended on same day. Jury: 12 jurors & 3 alternates.
Trial held in Warren County.
Trial began on 6/25/25 & prosecutors rested their case on 7/1/25. Defense started their case on 7/2/25 & ended 7/3/25. Closing arguments done on 7/7/25. Jury [6 men & 6 women] got case on 7/8/25 & ended on 7/8/25. Deliberations: Day 1 [from 9:06am to 1:37pm) = ~4.5 hours.
VERDICT: Houck guilty of all charges & Lawson guilty of all charges.
Nelson Circuit Court Judge Charles Simms III presiding. Special prosecutor Shane Young. Assistant Prosecutor Jim Lesousky. Houck’s defense attorneys Steven Schroering, Brian Butler, Michael Denbow & Jennifer Henry Jackson & J. Lawson’s defense attorney Kevin Coleman & Robert Boyd.
Case & Court info from 7/23/20 thru 6/18/25 & Jury Selection (6/24/25) & Trial Day 1-8 (6/25 to 7/7/25) reference post #923 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...y-3-july-2015-4-arrest-in-2023.690447/page-47
7/8/25 Tuesday, Trial Day 9: *Jury [6 men & 6 women] started deliberations at 9:06am. Judge Charles Simms collected jurors phones & provided their family with an emergency number if they need to reach them during deliberations. Jurors can also order lunch, dinner or snacks. Three jurors were dismissed as alternates [2 men & 1 woman]. ~11:20am: Jury asked their first question of deliberations, requesting a white board & something watch videos on. [see posts #95 & 926, page 47]. ~11:35am: Jurors asked to rewatch Charlie Girdley's testimony. Gridley’s testimony is played in court [see post #927, page 47]. Jury came to a verdict at ~1:37pm. GUILTY! Houck was convicted of murder as a principal or accomplice to the crime & complicity to tampering with physical evidence. Lawson was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder & tampering with physical evidence.
*3pm: Jurors are deliberating the recommended sentence for both men. 3:30pm: The jury recommended Houck serve the maximum sentence of life in prison. Jurors recommended Lawson serve 20 years in prison for the conspiracy to murder charge & five years for tampering with physical evidence, which they recommend be served consecutively. It took jurors less than 20 minutes to deliver the maximum sentence [see post #943, page 47].
*Sentencing hearing on 8/21/25 @ 1pm.
8/1/25 Update: After Houck was conviction on the count of murder - principal or accomplice & tampering with physical evidence in the Crystal Rogers case, he made multiple calls from the Warren County Detention Center. LEX 18 obtained his phone calls from jail. Further, an emergency order from a judge halted Houck from trying to sell or transfer his properties until an evidentiary hearing on 10/8/25.
*Steven Eugene Lawson (48 @ time of crime/53/now 54) – Trial began on 5/27/25 & ended on 5/30/25. Found GUILTY of conspiracy to commit murder & tampering with physical evidence charges. Sentencing hearing on 8/6/25 & sentenced to 17 years in prison.

 

[Niner]

For the week of Monday, August 25th thru Friday, August 29th:

Monday, August 25th:
*Trial continues (Day 2) (@ 8:30am (Attorneys) & @ 9:15am (Jury) ET) - FL - Daniel Eric Markel (41) (shot to death July 18, 2014, Tallahassee) - *Donna Sue Adelson (64 @ time of crime/73/now 75) arrested by FBI @ Miami Intl. Airport (11/13/23) on out-of-County warrant from Leon County arrest Warrant [#FW23102353] & indicted (11/15/23), charged (11/21/23) & arraigned (12/11/23) with 1st degree murder, conspiracy to commit 1st degree murder & solicitation to commit 1st degree murder. No bond. Held at Miami-Dade County Jail (Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Leon County has 15 days to extradite from Miami-Dade County). Transferred from Miami-Dade to Leon County on 11/20/23. Transferred to Wakulla Detention Facility on 6/6/25. Held without bond (murder), $25K (conspiracy) & $25K (solicitation) on 11/21/23. Plead not guilty. Transferred to Leon County jail on 8/14/25. Leon County
Jury selection began on 8/19/25 & ended on 8/21/25. Jury: 12 jurors & 2 alternates [8 men & 6 women]
Trial began on 8/22/25. [thru 9/5/25] [9am to 5:30pm]
Leon County Circuit Judge Stephen S. Everett presiding. Prosecutor Georgia Cappelman & Assistant State attorney Sarah Dugan. Defense attorney Adam J. Komisar, Jackie Fulford & Joshua D. Zelman.
Case & Court info from 11/13/23 thru 8/18/25 & Jury Selection Days 1-3 (8/19-21/25) reference post #757 here:
https://websleuths.com/threads/fl-f...murdered-by-hitmen-4-guilty-26.739874/page-38
8/22/25 Friday, Trial Day 1: *Judge Everett DENIES the motion by Adelson to move the trial from Leon County. Then judge gave preliminary instructions & a course in note taking for the jurors.
*Opening statements by Sarah Dugan & defense opening by Jackie Fulford.
*State witnesses: James Geiger, who was a neighbor to Dan Markel. He says he heard loud bangs around the time Markel was shot. David Sims, a retired Tallahassee Police sergeant. He was the first on scene & made contact with Geiger, Markel’s neighbor. The State showed crime scene photos. Joanne Maltese, a retired Tallahassee Police Dept. Forensics Specialist. Responded to crime scene. State showed a series of images Malese took. Dr. Anthony Clark, worked in Tallahassee as an assistant medical examiner. They’re going through some pretty disturbing autopsy photos with Dr. Clark. [Retired] Tallahassee Police Investigator Craig Isom [lead detective]. Convicted hitman Luis Rivera.
[see post #768, page 39 for Day 1 updates]. The jury is to report back at 9:15am Monday & the attorneys will be back at 8:30am. Trial continues on Monday, 8/25/25.

*Trial continues (Day 8) (@ 8am MT) - CO - Jesus Dominguez, Jr. (5/now ~11) & Yesenia Dominguez (3/now ~9) missing. Jesus was found (2/6/24) in a suitcase in Minjarez scrapped car. Yesenia was found (1/20/24) encased in concrete container at King’s Storage Ce nter. They were both last seen in the summer of 2018 (6/1/18). - *Corena Rose Minjarez (30 @ time of crime/36/now 37) arrested & charged (2/15/24) & arraigned (11/22/24) with 2 counts of 1st degree murder & 2 counts of abuse of corpse. Bond $2M. Plead not guilty [11/22/24]. Pueblo County
Trial began on 8/11/25 (thru 8/29/25). Jury: 12 jurors & 2 alternates.
Judge Allison Ernst presiding. Deputy DA Kyle McCarthy. Minjarez' defense attorney Alby Singleton, head of the Colorado State Public Defender's Office in Pueblo & Public Defenders Alby Singleton & Tilyn Bell.
Case & court info from 1/10/24 thru 7/30/25 & Jury Selection Days 1-3 (8/11-8/13/25) & Trial Days 1-2 (8/14-15/25) reference post #79 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-2018-pueblo-10-jan-2024-arrest.702899/page-4
8/18/25 Monday, Trial Day 3: State witnesses: No info available yet. Trial continues on Tuesday, 8/19/25.
8/19/25 Tuesday, Trial Day 4: State witnesses: No info available yet. Trial continues on Wednesday, 8/20/25.
8/20/25 Wednesday, Trial Day 5: No info available. Trial continues on Thursday, 8/21/25.
8/21/25 Thursday, Trial Day 6: State witness: Jesus Dominguez. No other info available. Trial continues on Friday, 8/22/25.
8/22/25 Friday, Trial Day 7: No info available. Trial continues on Monday, 8/25/25.
*Jesus Dominguez (29 @ time of crime/35/now 36) – Took plea deal & plead guilty to 2nd degree murder & other charges were dismissed & he will testify against Minjarez. Sentencing hearing on 9/12/25.


Tuesday, August 26th:
*Plea/Sentencing Hearing (@ 9am ET) – WI - *1 year old thrown off 2nd floor balcony on March 13, 2025 in Milwaukee. The 1-year-old was taken to Children’s Wisconsin. While she had physical injuries & bruises, she did not sustain any cranial or skeletal fractures. *Jaimann Laurenze Eiland (31/now 32) arrested & charged (3/17/25) with substantial battery-intend bodily harm & child abuse-high probably/great harm felony. Cash bond $15K & if released will be on GPS. Cash bond reduced (7/2/25) to $6,500 & GPS monitoring. Plead not guilty (3/24/25). Milwaukee County
Trial set to begin on 9/22/25.
Judge Ann Berrios-Schroeder presiding. Prosecutors Foley J. Van Lieshout, Gregg Herman & Mallory R. Davis. Defense attorney Haley Wentz & Jason Daniel Baltz.
Court info from 3/17/25 thru 7/2/25 reference post #16 here:
https://websleuths.com/threads/ws-m...story-balcony-milwaukee-march-13-2025.739498/
7/18/25 Update: Further proceedings hearing held with Judge Ana Berrios-Schroeder presiding. Defendant Eiland not in court, in custody. Attorney Jason Daniel Baltz in court for Eiland. Prosecuting attorney Mallory R Davis in court for the State of Wisconsin. Off the record: Matter scheduled for Final Pretrial. Defense counsel requests additional final pretrial date prior to jury trial. Parties emailed new court date. Next final pretrial hearing scheduled on 8/21/25 @ 8:30am.
8/20/25 Docket updates: Report re pretrial services supervision report for 8/21/25. Plea questionnaire, waiver of rights. Cash bond posted $5K. 8/21/25 Update: Final pretrial hearing held with Judge Ana Berrios-Schroeder presiding. Defendant Eiland in court. Attorney Jason Daniel Baltz in court for Eiland. Attorney Thomas Hasle in court for State of Wisconsin. Matter in court for final pretrial. Court in receipt of Defense plea documents & sets resolution date. Matter adjourned to Branch 13. Plea/sentencing hearing scheduled for 8/26/25 @ 9am.


Wednesday, August 27th:
*Plea Hearing (@ 1:15pm ET) - WI - Michael Meagher (8) shot by stepfather on Jan. 20, 2025 in Lake Geneva. *Steven D. Merkel, Jr. (52/now 53) arrested (1/20/25) & charged (1/21/25) with 1st degree reckless homicide & use of a dangerous weapon. Held in Walworth County jail. Cash bond $250K. Walworth County
Judge Kristine E. Drettwan assisgned judge. Judge David M. Reddy presided over initial appearances. Prosecutor Attorney Zeke S. Wiedenfeld. Defense attorneys Joshua Ryan-Polczinski & Makenzie Renner, public defenders.
Case info from 1/20/25 thru 6/17/25 reference post #19 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...kel-jr-in-lake-geneva-20-january-2025.735356/
7/1/25 Docket update: Notice of competency hearing from 7/8/25 to 7/29/25 @ 8:30am. 7/3/25 Docket update: Letters/correspondence from Brooke Lundbohm re extension. 7/18/25 Docket update: Competency report filed.
7/29/25 Update: Competency hearing held. Attorney Zeke S. Wiedenfeld in court for State of Wisconsin. Defendant Merkel in court, in custody appearing via video from Walworth County Jail. Attorney Mackenzie Renner & attorney Joshua Ryan-Polczinski in court for Merkel. Court inquired if victim wished to be heard; no statement made. Defense is in agreement with competency report. Defendant is in agreement with competency report. State is in agreement with competency report. Attorney Ryan asked for a Plea hearing. Plea hearing scheduled for 8/27/25 @ 1:15pm.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Tuesday, August 26th:
*Plea/Sentencing Hearing (@ 9am ET) – WI - *1 year old thrown off 2nd floor balcony on March 13, 2025 in Milwaukee. The 1-year-old was taken to Children’s Wisconsin. While she had physical injuries & bruises, she did not sustain any cranial or skeletal fractures. *Jaimann Laurenze Eiland (31/now 32) arrested & charged (3/17/25) with substantial battery-intend bodily harm & child abuse-high probably/great harm felony. Cash bond $15K & if released will be on GPS. Cash bond reduced (7/2/25) to $6,500 & GPS monitoring. Plead not guilty (3/24/25). Milwaukee County
Trial was set to begin on 9/22/25 was cancelled due to guilty plea.
Judge Ann Berrios-Schroeder presiding. Prosecutors Foley J. Van Lieshout, Gregg Herman & Mallory R. Davis. Defense attorney Haley Wentz & Jason Daniel Baltz.
Court info from 3/17/25 thru 8/20/25 reference post #18 here:
https://websleuths.com/threads/ws-m...story-balcony-milwaukee-march-13-2025.739498/
8/21/25 Update: Final pretrial hearing held with Judge Ana Berrios-Schroeder presiding. Defendant Eiland in court. Attorney Jason Daniel Baltz in court for Eiland. Attorney Thomas Hasle in court for State of Wisconsin. Matter in court for final pretrial. Court in receipt of Defense plea documents & sets resolution date. Matter adjourned to Branch 13. Plea/sentencing hearing scheduled for 8/26/25 @ 9am.
8/25/25 Docket updates: Letters/correspondence (6) to Judge Ana Berrios-Schroeder. Report: Justice Point Pretrial Services supervision report received & filed. 8/26/25 Docket update: Amended information.
8/26/25 Update: Plea hearing with Judge Ana Berrios-Schroeder presiding. Defendant Eiland in court. Attorney Jason Daniel Baltz in court for Eiland. Attorney Thomas Hasle in court for State of Wisconsin. Deputy Court Clerk: SD. Defendant prepared to enter change of plea. Hearing proceeded. Negotiations set forth by the state. Amended Information filed. Copy given to defense counsel who waived reading & enters a plea of not guilty on behalf of his/her client. AS TO AMENDED COUNTS 1, 2, & 3: Defendant changes his plea to GUILTY. Defendant examined as to his plea, advised of his Constitutional rights & the maximum penalty. Defendant advised that if not a U.S. citizen, deportation is possible. Court found that defendant knowingly, voluntarily & intelligently waived his rights. Guilty Plea Questionnaire/Waiver of Rights & Addendum received & filed. Parties stipulate to the complaint as a factual basis to sustain defendant's plea. Court found defendant guilty & ordered a Judgment of Conviction be entered on the record. Defendant shall provide a DNA sample for the Data Bank.
8/26/25 Update: Sentencing hearing with Judge Ana Berrios-Schroeder presiding. Defendant Eiland in court. Attorney Jason Daniel Baltz in court for Eiland. Attorney Thomas Hasle in court for State of Wisconsin. Sentencing proceeded. Statements by the State, defense & defendant. AS TO COUNT 1: Defendant ordered to serve 9 MONTHS in the House of Correction, concurrent to any other count, with credit of 159 days time served. As TO COUNT 2: Defendant ordered to serve 9 MONTHS in the House of Correction, concurrent to any other count. As TO COUNT 3: Defendant ordered to serve 3 MONTHS in the House of Correction, concurrent to any other count. As TO COUNTS 1, 2 & 3: Court STAYED the sentence & placed the defendant on probation for 18 months with the following conditions: As TO COUNT 1: Court ordered 60 days condition time; STAYED pending review of probation agent. Complete a batters intervention program. Mental health assessment, comply with recommended treatment. Alcohol & drug assessment & comply with any treatment deemed necessary by the department. Comply with any recommended treatment of the agent. No weapons. No contact with victim or child. Provide a DNA sample. Court set restitution at $0. Court WAIVES all non-mandatory costs, fees & surcharges. Defendant to pay mandatory costs & surcharges (including DNA) during period of probation. If unpaid a civil judgment will be ordered filed against the defendant. Court will allow agent to terminate probation early. Defendant advised of appeal rights. Dispositional order/judgment by Judge Berrios-Schroeder. Judgement of convection. Assessment report & cash bond applied [$1,329].

 

[Niner]

Update!

Wednesday, August 27th:
*Trial continues (Day 10)-VERDICT REACHED! (@ 8am MT) - CO - Jesus Dominguez, Jr. (5/now ~11) & Yesenia Dominguez (3/now ~9) missing. Jesus was found (2/6/24) in a suitcase in Minjarez scrapped car. Yesenia was found (1/20/24) encased in concrete container at King’s Storage Ce nter. They were both last seen in the summer of 2018 (6/1/18). - *Corena Rose Minjarez (30 @ time of crime/36/now 37) arrested & charged (2/15/24) & arraigned (11/22/24) with 2 counts of 1st degree murder & 2 counts of abuse of corpse. Bond $2M. Plead not guilty [11/22/24]. Pueblo County
Trial began on 8/11/25 & ended on 8/25/25.. Jury: 12 jurors & 2 alternates.
Jury started deliberations on 8/26/25 & ended on 8/27/25 with a verdict of GUILTY.
Judge Allison Ernst presiding. Deputy DA Kyle McCarthy. Minjarez' defense attorney Alby Singleton, head of the Colorado State Public Defender's Office in Pueblo & Public Defenders Alby Singleton & Tilyn Bell.
Case & court info from 1/10/24 thru 7/30/25 & Jury Selection Days 1-3 (8/11-8/13/25) & Trial Days 1-9 (8/14-26/25) reference post #86 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-2018-pueblo-10-jan-2024-arrest.702899/page-5
8/76/25 Wednesday, Trial Day 10: Jury deliberations continue. Minjarez was found guilty Wednesday of killing two children & hiding their remains in Pueblo. The Southern Colorado court sentenced Minjarez to life in prison for counts one & two & 120 days for counts three & four. The counts will run concurrently.
*Jesus Dominguez (29 @ time of crime/35/now 36) – Took plea deal & plead guilty to 2nd degree murder & other charges were dismissed & he will testify against Minjarez. Sentencing hearing on 9/12/25.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Friday, Sept. 5th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 1:30pm ET) - TN – Evelyn Mae Boswell (15 mos. DOB 11/21/18) (last seen Dec. 10 or 11, 2019 by babysitter, Blountville, Sullivan County, reported missing Feb. 18, 2020 by State of Tenn. Dept. Child Services; Evelyn’s remains were found on Mar. 6, 2020 at a family member’s property at the 500 block of Muddy Creek Road in Sullivan County; officially id’d Mar. 11, 2020). *Megan “Maggie” Boswell (18/now 24) aka Maggie Wood aka Megan Nicole Kys “mother” arrested & originally charged (2/25/20) with 1 count of false reporting. Bond set at $25K. Bond increased (3/9/20) to $150K. [see below for re-charges].
Indicted (5/18/20) & originally charged (5/28/20) with 11 counts of false reporting. Plead not guilty. Bond stays set at $150K. [see below re re-charges]. Sullivan County
Re-Charged & indicted (8/19/20) & arraigned (8/28/20) with 3 counts of 1st degree felony murder, 2 counts of aggravated child abuse & neglect, 1 count of tampering with evidence, 12 counts of false reporting [1 count was dismissed on 2/5/25], 1 count of abuse of a corpse & 1 count of failure to report a death suspicious, unusual, or unnatural circumstances. Plead not guilty. $1M bond. Bond reduction denied (12/3/21).
*Charged & arraigned (6/20/24) with 1 count of 1st degree felony murder-premeditated/intentional. Plead not guilty. DA is seeking a life sentence without parole. Sullivan County
Jury Selection began on 2/3/25 & ended on 2/4/25. 12 jurors & 2 alternates (8 men & 6 women). Jury: 7 men & 5 women. Jurors are sequestered.
Trial began on 2/5/25 & ended 2/12/25.
Jury began deliberations on Day 1: 2/12/25 for 3 hours [3p-6pm]. Day 2: 2/13/25 Deliberations: 8am-9:30am. Total hours: 4 ½ hours
GUILTY on ALL charges.
Deliberations for sentencing: 2/13/25 started at ~11:30am to 1:30pm. Total hours: 2 hours.
Life in prison with the possibility of parole.
Sentencing to life in prison plus an additional 33 years
Judge James F. Goodwin presiding. Sullivan County Deputy DA William Harper, Prosecutor Amber Massengill & William Harper. Defense attorneys Gene G. Scott, Jr., Tim Horne & C. Brad Sproles.
Court info from 2/20/20 thru 12/16/24 & Jury Selection Days 1-2 (2/3-4/25) & Trial Day 1-7 (2/5-13/25) & thru 5/22/25 reference post #792 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ty-26-dec-2019-mom-arrested-10.736431/page-40
6/5/25 Update: Boswell's attorney is challenging the State wanting MB to serve consecutive sentences which would equate to life in prison. Besides appealing her verdict, her lawyers contend Boswell should serve concurrent sentences because the jury decided she was entitled to parole. Hence, this is the delay in formally sentencing MB. There was supposed to be a hearing on this matter on May 22. Sentencing hearing on 9/5/25 @ 1:30pm.
9/5/24 Update: Goodwin sentenced Boswell to serve the 25 years for the aggravated child abuse and child neglect after the murder life sentence. The 6-year tampering with evidence sentence and 4-year false reports sentence could be served concurrently but must be served after the 25-year sentence. The 2-year abuse of a corpse and failure to report a death sentences are to be served concurrently but after the 6-year tampering with evidence sentence. Boswell’s three murder charges were merged into one. Boswell was sentenced to life in prison plus an additional 33 years by Sullivan County Judge Jim Goodwin in the death of her daughter, 15-month-old Evelyn Mae Boswell. That sentence means she will never be released from prison. Boswell's defense attorney Gene G. Scott Jr. plans to appeal the sentence. The motion for a new trial will be heard sometime next week once a transcript from this trial is obtained for review. Status hearing on 1/16/25 @ 9am.