Fri May 30 20:40:00 UTC 2025: **NEWS ARTICLE:**
**Steve Lawson Found Guilty in Crystal Rogers Murder Trial; Sentencing Phase Begins**
BOWLING GREEN, KY – Steve Lawson was found guilty Friday on charges of conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence in the disappearance and presumed death of Crystal Rogers, a Bardstown mother of five who vanished nearly a decade ago. The verdict was delivered at the Warren County Justice Center, where the trial was moved due to extensive pre-trial publicity.
The prosecution, led by Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Lesousky, argued that Lawson was a key player in Brooks Houck’s plan to kill Rogers. Lesousky told the jury that Lawson’s own grand jury testimony revealed his involvement in an “evil conspiracy” and that he stood to gain financially from Rogers’ death. He said, “This man, by his words, put himself in the middle of a conspiracy.” He added that, “Brooks’ plan was to kill this woman.”
Defense attorney Darren Wolff admitted Lawson tampered with evidence but argued the prosecution failed to prove Rogers was murdered, asserting, “We still don’t know what happened to Crystal Rogers.” Wolff also claimed Lawson had no prior knowledge of Houck’s intent to commit the murder. He asked jurors, “Where did we hear evidence he agreed to the planning of murder?”
Lawson testified in his own defense, claiming he only helped move Rogers’ car at Houck’s request and denied knowing if Rogers was dead or if Houck was responsible for her disappearance.
The jury deliberated before finding Lawson guilty on both counts. Sherry Ballard, Rogers’ mother, was seen crying and hugging family members as the verdict was read. Lawson faces a potential prison sentence of 25 years. The sentencing phase of the trial is now underway.
Rogers was last seen alive on July 3, 2015. Her car was found abandoned, running, on the side of the Bluegrass Parkway with her belongings still inside. Her body has never been found. Brooks Houck, Rogers’ boyfriend at the time of her disappearance, and Lawson’s son, Joseph Lawson, are also charged in connection with her murder and will be tried together later this summer.
**WEATHER:**
The weather forecast for today is breezy conditions with widespread morning storms, followed by the potential for additional storms in the afternoon.
**SUMMARY:**
The article reports on the verdict in the Steve Lawson trial, stemming from the 2015 disappearance of Crystal Rogers. Lawson was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence. The trial was held in Bowling Green due to publicity in Nelson County. The article details arguments from both the prosecution and defense, as well as Lawson’s own testimony. The sentencing phase is now underway.
First Piper 