TRIAL DAY 4: Steven Lawson found guilty, faces 17-year sentence

UPDATE

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A jury has found Steven Lawson guilty of all charges after a four-day trial in Bowling Green.

Lawson has now been found guilty of tampering with physical evidence, which is a class D felony that carries a sentence of 1-5 years, and conspiracy to commit murder, a class B felony with a sentence of 10-20 years.

Lawson’s defense asked for mercy in the sentencing deliberation, hoping that the jury would give him the lowest sentence possible, while the state asked the jury for “everything they can give him.”

The jury was unanimous in its decision of a 17-year sentence.

Final sentencing will be held on Wednesday, August 6, at 3 pm at the Nelson County Circuit Court.

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On the fourth day of trial for Steve Lawson, who has been accused of conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence. After the defense rested its case, following a surprise to the entire room – a testimony by Steve Lawson’s mother, Barbara Coulter, and then the defendant himself.

Lawson was composed on the stand, sticking to his version of what happened the night of July 3, 2015, and surrounding events.

Lawson said the then boyfriend of Crystal Rogers, Brooks Houk, told Lawson he wanted Crystal gone – to which Lawson said what do you mean – houk would then tell lawson – i mean gone gone — lawson said he took this to mean deceased – he then told houk im not your man – you got meaner people than me working for you – go talk to charlie

Lawson said he then had that same conversation with Charlie Girdley, who laughed it off and never spoke of it again

lawson told the court his only movements that night Crystal is understood to have disappeared – were taking his son to pick up crystal’s car – then picking his up after the car caught a flat on the bluegrass parkway – along with moving the driver seat closer to the wheel, to protect his son, according to lawson

This is not the story he had previously told the FBI and others, saying he lied because he didn’t want to man up to his involvement, but he says he was not aware or involved in any killing or plan to kill anyone