BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Nearly nine years after Crystal Rogers was reported missing, the trial of Steve Lawson has commenced, marking a significant development in a case that has captivated the community and led to numerous investigations.
Lawson faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence related to Rogers’ death. The trial’s opening day featured jury selection, with 85 potential jurors being screened by attorneys for any biases that might affect their impartiality.
The jury selection process started at 9 a.m. CT and is expected to take several days. During this time, the judge, prosecution, and defense will question jurors to establish a fair panel, ultimately composed of 14 members: 12 regular jurors and 2 alternates. While potential jurors who are familiar with the case are not automatically disqualified, they must confirm their ability to evaluate the evidence presented in court objectively.
Steve Lawson appeared in court wearing a navy blue shirt and black glasses, accompanied by his attorneys, who brought five boxes of documents into the courtroom. The prosecution hopes to wrap up its case soon, aiming for Thursday, while the defense seeks to conclude by Friday, after which the jury would begin deliberations.
Judge Charles Simms addressed several pretrial motions, including a request from local media to allow cameras in the courtroom, which he denied, prioritizing a fair trial. He also rejected a motion from Lawson’s defense to delay the proceedings, despite concerns over the sheer volume of evidence, which includes more than 400,000 pages of material and several hours of recorded interviews related to the case. The defense connected the current proceedings with the unsolved murder of Bardstown Police Officer Jason Ellis, emphasizing challenges related to reviewing the evidence.
Attorneys for Lawson expressed frustration over the extensive materials. “We have not been able to review anything with the Jason Ellis case. We haven’t been able to ask,” defense attorney Darren Wolff stated. Judge Simms acknowledged the complexity of the investigation but reiterated the trial must move forward.
Supporters of Crystal Rogers, often referred to as “Team Crystal,” filled the courtroom, many donning pink—her signature color. Family and friends have engaged in search efforts for years. Among those present were Brian Butler, representing Brooks Houck, and former Detective Jon Snow, a key figure in the initial police investigation before the FBI took over in 2020.
The courtroom, located on the fourth floor of the Warren County Justice Center, can accommodate 108 individuals, including 20 designated seats for media coverage. Family members of both Rogers and Lawson secured 25 seats each, with the remainder available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The case has garnered considerable attention, prompting the trial to be moved from Bardstown due to concerns over media coverage potentially influencing the proceedings. As the community continues to discuss Rogers’ disappearance, the judge is confident that Warren County can provide an impartial jury.
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