LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In a new development in the Crystal Rogers case, a second suspect in her death is asking for a change of venue -- attorneys for Steve Lawson asked on Friday to move his trial out of Bardstown.
The Bardstown mother-of-five was last seen Fourth of July weekend in 2015 on Houck's family property in Nelson County.
An attorney for Lawson said he cannot get a fair trial in Nelson County. They would like to move the trial to either Boyd County or Daviess County.
On Thursday, attorneys for Brooks Houck, Rogers' former boyfriend, had the same request.
According to court documents, Boyd County is three hours from Nelson County and has similar demographics to Nelson County. Daviess County is two hours from Nelson County and slightly bigger, but still an option.
Lawson is charged with two other men, his son Joseph Lawson and Houck, in the death of Rogers. Their trial is currently scheduled for February 2025.
On Wednesday, Steven's attorney filed a motion asking for his charges to be dismissed or his testimony to be excluded from the case. His attorney cited multiple interviews with state investigators and the FBI, where he was “promised immunity.”
The motion includes testimony excerpts from police interviews where the prosecutor “made it clear” Lawson’s statements could not be used against him. Now the attorney either wants the charges dismissed, or his testimony excluded from the case.
Both the motion for a change in venue and the motion to dismiss the case will be heard at the next court date in Nelson County set for Thursday, March 21.
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