Crystal Rogers trial: Defense to present its case on day 3 after moving for acquittal

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (FOX 56) — Day three of Steve Lawson’s trial is underway, and the defense is preparing to present their case.

Lawson is charged with conspiracy to murder and tampering with physical evidence, and he’s one of three people accused in the Bardstown mother’s presumed death.

Brooks Houck, Rogers’ then-boyfriend, faces a murder and a tampering with evidence charge. Joseph Lawson, Steve’s son, is charged with tampering with evidence and conspiracy to murder. The two will be tried together, with the trial scheduled for June 24.

Rogers was last seen on July 3, 2015, and her mother reported her missing two days later after her vehicle was found, still running, at mile marker 14 on the Bluegrass Parkway. She has since been presumed dead, but her body has yet to be found.

Lawson’s trial was moved from Nelson County to Bowling Green due to significant publicity surrounding Rogers’ disappearance.

Cameras and recording devices are not allowed in the courtroom, per the judge’s orders.

Here’s a look at what’s happened so far on May 29:

• Michael Shafer is an FBI task force and Kentucky Attorney General detective who interviewed Lawson in August 2020.
  • His testimony surrounded two phone calls between Lawson and Houck, including the deleted July 8, 2015, call from Houck to Lawson. We now know this was the call that occurred during Houck’s interview with former lead detective Jonathan Snow.
  • A 20-minute interview was played that couldn’t be heard clearly in the courtroom gallery.
  • He had advised Lawson that they had cellphone data tracking his device to Bluegrass Parkway after midnight, and Lawson affirmed he didn’t leave his house that night. Lawson now admits to being there to pick up his son.
  • Defense criticized Shafer for not bringing his case file for reference and said that his testimony would only be from memory of a case he’s no longer over.
  • Nick Houck’s 2015 interview with Shafer and the polygraph were introduced. The results were inadmissible.
  • Special prosecutor Shane Young outright called Rosemary and Nick Houck “unindicted coconspirators” in the disappearance of Rogers.
  • The defense argued that Young is asking Shafer, an investigator, to speculate and not rely on evidence, and pleaded with the judge not to allow further questioning of this nature.
  • The prosecution and defense approached the bench.
  • The judge makes a separating motion with his hands. Young turns abruptly, and a bailiff rushes to physically separate Darren Wolff, Lawson’s lawyer, and Young at the bench.
  • Questions were asked surrounding the reported four-hour window Lawson can’t account for on the morning of July 4, 2015, when his phone was traced to the Thompson Hill Road farm.

• The Commonwealth calls its final witness, Justin Hall. He has served as the Nelson County jailer since 2023.
  • Two jailhouse phone calls between Lawson and his mother—dated Jan. 5, 2024, and Jan. 9, 2024—were introduced.
  • His mom can be heard pleading for Lawson to tell her where Rogers’ body is.
  • Lawson affirmed he had nothing to do with Rogers’ body or the alleged killing, only picking Joseph up from BGP.
  • His mom argued that Lawson should’ve spoken up and reported Joseph having Rogers’ car that night. He agreed.

• The Commonwealth rests its case.
• 10-minute recess
• The defense moved for acquittal.
  • Wolff argued that no evidence introduced adequately proves that Lawson is guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, only tampering with physical evidence, which he admits to.
  • Young said that because Lawson allegedly participated in the conspiracy to dump Rogers’ vehicle on the Blue Grass Parkway, he was part of Houck’s overall alleged plan to “get rid of” Rogers.
• Judge Charles Simms denied the motion.

The trial will resume at 12:30 p.m. CST and begin with the defense’s first witness.

Simms said that the defense may rest its case Thursday evening if all goes according to plan, and deliberations could begin as early as Friday morning.

This is a developing story. Stay with FOX 56 News for updates.