DAY 2: Wednesday, May 28
On Wednesday, the jury heard from several witnesses who testified that Steven Lawson made comments to them regarding allegedly being involved in the disappearance of Crystal Rogers in 2015.
On cross examination, the defense worked to discredit witness testimony by claiming that they used drugs at the time.
Elizabeth Chesser, whose mother dated Steven in 2017, said that Lawson told her his ex-wife was leaving him because she said he had "murder on him."
Chesser also said that Steven admitted to moving Crystal's car in 2015 and allegedly told her "no evidence, no case." Notably, Crystal's body was never found.
Chesser has a child with Joseph Lawson, the son of Steven, who is also charged in connection to Crystal's death.
Another witness testified that she worked for Brooks Houck, Crystal's ex-boyfriend who is also charged in the case, along with Steven and Joseph, in construction. The witness claimed that a couple of weeks before Crystal's disappearance, Steven and Houck, were riding around in a truck together.
The witness claimed that Lawson told her "I gotta go take care of this girl with five kids," when she asked him what they were talking about.
The witness said she didn't question it until Crystal vanished. She then reported the conversation to authorities.
Another construction worker claimed that Lawson told him Houck had asked him to "get rid of Crystal."
DAY 1: Tuesday, May 27
The trial for one of three people charged in connection with the disappearance of Crystal Rogers began today in Bowling Green, following a change of venue.
Steven Lawson faces charges of tampering with evidence and conspiracy to commit murder in the case of the Nelson County mother of five who vanished on July 3, 2015.
Fifteen jurors, including three alternates, were selected for the trial that got underway this afternoon. The jury consists of 10 women and five men who appeared attentive during opening statements, with some taking notes.
In opening statements, prosecutors said evidence will show that Steven Lawson's phone was tracked moving to where Crystal's car was abandoned on the Bluegrass Parkway the night she disappeared.
They also claimed Lawson called Brooks Houck, Rogers' ex-boyfriend, around midnight to tell him "the job was done."
The defense acknowledged Lawson is guilty of tampering with physical evidence, admitting he helped move Crystal's car and even pulled the driver's seat up to make it look like Crystal drove to the parkway herself. However, they argue there's no evidence Lawson conspired to murder Crystal.
Defense attorneys pointed out that four grand juries were impaneled before the state could indict Lawson on a conspiracy to commit murder charge, and emphasized that the investigation remains open because Crystal has never been found.
Crystal's mother, Sherry Ballard, was the first witness called to testify. She told the court she knew something was wrong when Crystal never responded to texts and calls from her children.
Lawson and his son Joseph Lawson are accused of helping Crystal's ex-boyfriend Brooks Houck carry out her murder. Joseph Lawson is also charged with evidence tampering and conspiracy to commit murder, while Houck is charged with Rogers' murder. Both are scheduled to go on trial next month.
