BARDSTOWN, Ky. — Suspects in connection to the death of Crystal Rogers were back in court March 21, where prosecutor Shane Young agreed with motions filed by attorneys that the case should be tried outside Nelson County. 

That location has not yet been determined, but lawyers will present their proposals to the judge in May. Suspects are Brooks Houck, Rogers' boyfriend at the time of her presumed death in July 2015; Steven Lawson, who is charged with conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence, and his son, Joseph Lawson.

"The venue should be changed," Young said. "I've talked to counsel; if I can judge it, I can tell you where we're at on it. I've talked to defense counsel."

"All three parties are going to get together and talk and then make a proposal to your honor if we can come to an agreement. And if not, then we'll just let your honor tell us where to be in February of (2025), and we’ll be there."

The judge's requirements include that it be a large courtroom, with a separate entrance to jurors.

A family friend of Rogers said he disagrees with the venue change.

"Why don't they get the jurors, go get 12 jurors outside of the county, no matter what county, and haul them down here? That would be better than 400 people going, 'Don't you think?'" said family friend Willie Downs. "It (makes) more sense." 

Steven's lawyer, Theodore Lavit, said there might need to be a hearing to discuss evidence in the motion filed to dismiss the charges against him.

"He was promised immunity in my presence and outside of my presence before I got involved and after I got involved," Lavit said. "And there's no question about that in my mind when we entered into those negotiations."

"I was satisfied that he was telling the truth because we talked about it incessantly, and I'm satisfied that he gave them the truth. And in exchange for that, he's entitled to transactional immunity, and we're going to insist on it. We may not get it, but I believe he's entitled to it, and the case against him ought to be dismissed because that's what he bargained for.”

The prosecution also wants to try all three men together, but the defense lawyers rejected this idea. Lawyers will submit their responses in the next several weeks. 

The trial is set for Feb. 10, 2025. Next year will mark 10 years since Crystal Rogers was first reported missing during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.