One of the suspects charged in the Crystal Rogers investigation is asking to be tried separately from the other suspects.
The defense for Joseph Lawson has filed a Motion for Severance of Co-Defendants or Exclusion of Co-Defendant’s Statements with the Nelson Circuit Court. The motion calls for Lawson to be tried in a separate trial from Steven Lawson and Brooks Houck, or to have out-of-trial testimonials from Houck and Steven Lawson be excluded.
Special Prosecutor Shane Young previously filed a motion to try all three suspects in the same trial. The Motion for Severance states that the introduction of out-of-court statements denies Joseph Lawson’s right to cross-examination and would therefore deny him his right to present a defense. The filing also states concern for the potential for conflicting defenses and strategies between the defendants, which could potentially confuse the jury.
The motion will be discussed during the next pre-trial conference in the case, which is scheduled for June 13. Progress on finding a new venue for the trial will be discussed at a hearing on May 1.
