Suspect in Crystal Rogers case has new lawyers

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky – Two new defense attorneys are trying the case in the death and disappearance of Crystal Rogers.

Darren Wolff and Zach Buckler are now representing Steven Lawson, who fired his attorney Theodore Lavit earlier this month.

Steven and his son Joseph Lawson are charged with conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with evidence. A third defendant, Rogers' former friend Brooks Houck, is charged with murder.

Wolff told the court on August 22 that they needed more time before the trial, which is scheduled for February 2025. He argued that they had only received the case nearly 48 hours ago and now needed to review the evidence that prosecutors had turned over.

“We were literally tasked with this,” Wolff said. “We received two terabytes of information, which is clearly more than most cases, and the investigation in this case has been going on for a long time.”

“I think it would be important to at least advise the court that I am not 100 percent sure that we are ready to try the case in the time frame that we currently have scheduled. And that should not surprise the court. We will, of course, put everything we need to do in writing and file the appropriate motions, but I don't want to come here today and lull anyone into the illusion that this is just going to proceed as originally planned.”

Judge Charles Simms said three people had been in prison, so it was important to him to process the cases quickly, efficiently and in a timely manner.

All three men are currently scheduled to face trial together in February, with a motion pending to determine whether the cases should be tried separately.

Another hearing is scheduled for October 4 to decide on several applications.