Steve Lawson Found Guilty in Crystal Rogers Murder Case

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Steve Lawson has been found guilty on all charges related to the murder of Crystal Rogers, following a trial that lasted over a week. The jury reached its verdict after just two hours of deliberation on May 30, 2025. Lawson was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence.

The trial, held in Bowling Green due to extensive media coverage, included testimony from various witnesses related to Rogers’ disappearance in July 2015. Her body has never been found. Prosecutors say Lawson assisted his son, Joseph Lawson, and Brooks Houck, Rogers’ then-boyfriend, in concealing the crime.

Rogers was last seen on July 3, 2015, during the Fourth of July weekend. A week later, her abandoned car was found on the Bluegrass Parkway, with her belongings still inside. During the trial, witnesses testified about conversations involving Lawson and Houck, which raised suspicions about their involvement in the crime.

During his testimony, Lawson admitted to moving Rogers’ car but claimed he had no prior knowledge of any wrongdoing. He testified that he did not directly participate in any plans to harm her, stating, “I was just moving a vehicle.”

Following the verdict, the jury recommended a sentence of 17 years. The formal sentencing is set for August 6, 2025. Crystal Rogers’ family, present in the courtroom, expressed deep emotion as the verdict was read, with her daughter saying it has been difficult to cope since her mother’s disappearance.

Lawson’s trial marks a significant development in a case that has gained widespread attention over the years due to its complexity and unresolved nature. Separate trials for Brooks Houck and Joseph Lawson are scheduled to occur in the coming months.