‘Wildly inconsistent.’ Judge denies motion to dismiss charges in Crystal Rogers case
The case against a man alleged to be complicit in the murder and disappearance of Bardstown mother Crystal Rogers will continue, a judge ordered Wednesday, denying the defendant’s motion to dismiss the indictment.
Stephen Lawson appeared in court June 13 with his attorney, Ted Lavit, in attempt to have his case dismissed. Lavit and Lawson claim he was originally promised immunity by prosecutors in exchange for cooperation.
Nelson County Circuit Judge Charles Simms III, disagreed, saying Lawson breached the verbal immunity contract.
Rogers, a 35-year-old mother from Bardstown, went missing in July 2015. Her body has never been found.
Late last year, Stephen and Joseph Lawson, a father and son, were indicted on charges of criminal conspiracy to commit murder and complicity to tampering with physical evidence.
Brooks Houck, Rogers’ former boyfriend, was indicted on charges of murder and evidence tampering.
All three have pleaded not guilty.
Judge: Defendant’s statements “wildly inconsistent”
In a 13-page order, Simms affirmed an immunity deal had been verbally extended by prosecutors, but it was based on the assertion that Stephen Lawson would be “100% honest.”
Lavit said in the previous hearing his client was honest. And if he wasn’t — it was not done deliberately.
Simms based the decision on multiple interviews and transcripts where both Kentucky State Police detectives and special prosecutor Shane Young alluded to the agreement.
“We are offering you the opportunity of a lifetime.You can say whatever you want, as long as it is 100% the truth,” KSP Detective Steve Hardin said. “Regardless of the incriminating nature of what you say and you can walk out of here today.”
Young argued at the June hearing that Stephen Lawson had lied to investigators consistently.
Simms said recordings clearly establish Lawson provided “wildly inconsistent” information about matters material to the state’s investigation and prosecution.
The judge referenced several instances of dishonesty by Lawson, including:
The relationship between Houck and Lawson
Why he was on the Bluegrass Parkway near where Rogers’ car was later found
The identities of those involved in parking the vehicle
Whether Lawson knew about a missing skid-steer
Why Lawson spoke with Houck in an early morning call on July 4, 2015.
Simms also referenced a jail telephone call placed by Lawson where he admitted to lying, and therefore nullifying his deal with prosecutors.
This led him to rule that Lawson breached his immunity agreement by lying, “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
