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Travel + Leisure
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Travel + Leisure
This Kentucky Town Is The Bourbon Capital of the World—and It Just Got Its First Luxury Hotel with Bourbon Butlers, a Pool, and a Hidden Speakeasy
The Trail underwent a chic midcentury modern–inspired redesign and restoration, featuring leather and wood accents. The on-site restaurant, Oak & Ember, showcases a massive bourbon lineup, a wine list curated by a level three sommelier, and recipes crafted by cookbook author and chef Marvin Woods. Fitting to Bardstown's fame as 'the Bourbon Capital of the World,' the hotel's two on-staff bourbon butlers can coordinate exclusive experiences and tastings. Rather than a traditional spa, the hotel features a wellness area that offers IV treatments, a cryotherapy pod, an oxygen bar, and more. 'We're so glad you're here,' the front desk staff member greeted me with a smile. Ten seconds in at the brand-new The Trail Hotel, which had just opened in May, and I was already experiencing some of Kentucky's signature Southern hospitality. After flying into Louisville airport, I made my way to Bardstown, aka the Bourbon Capital of the World, and checked into the Prohibition Suite at the city's first high-end boutique hotel. Over shrimp cocktail and tuna crudo, Jason Thompson, the director of bourbon experiences and sales, and Norma Smith, one of the hotel's two bourbon butlers, filled me in on its history. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building was originally opened as a Holiday Inn on April 1, 1971. It was sold in 2004, rebranded, and served as a hotel for a dozen years. It sat empty from 2016 to 2021, before being put up for auction. Then, high school friends Will Hardy and Nathan 'Ejo' Edmonds put in a bid and won. Right on cue, the other bourbon butler, Jackie Hill, walked over to our table, introduced herself, and added, 'My husband and I met here 18 years ago, and got married soon after. It was the happening place to be—and really the only place to go—back in the day,' Hill told me. She went on to reference grade school pool parties, live music and dancing in the bar area, and countless couples' first dates that happened in the building. The lobby at The Trail Hotel. Jessie Kriech-Higdon/The Trail Hotel 'The first two contracting firms that we spoke to would only work with us if we bulldozed. From a financial standpoint, that would've been cheaper,' Hardy said. 'As we spoke with the community, we were reminded about how important the Holiday Inn was. We decided we didn't want to be the guys who destroyed dreams to facilitate our own, which was to make Bardstown even more of a destination. With The Trail Hotel, we've taken what was broken and brought it back to life to preserve those memories.' It took some time, creativity, extra money (Edmonds and Hardy were glad to welcome Brook Smith as an investment partner and co-owner), and some serious TLC, but they were able to transform the bones of the two-story motel-style building into a hotel that feels like stepping inside a stylish and modern Southern country club. Warm, polished, and welcoming all at once, the co-owners collaborated with Joseph & Joseph Architects for the restoration and redesign. They dreamed up creative amenities, such as a rejuvenation lounge, an indoor golf simulator, and bourbon butlers, which is their twist on a concierge. And once the stage was set, the team hired a team of incredibly talented staff, including a level three sommelier who has worked at three-Michelin-starred The French Laundry and an Emmy Award–nominated chef. The Trail Hotel's debut seems to be a win for locals and visitors alike. "We're filling a major gap by bringing The Trail Hotel to Bardstown," Hardy said. "We are home to 11 top distilleries, but this town has never offered any high-end lodging or food elevation, where visitors felt like they could stay for several days [...] Through revitalizing the hotel and creating the bourbon butler program, we've set up a 'one-stop shop' to guide the guest experience in Bardstown.' Ahead, my review of The Trail Hotel, bourbon country's coolest new boutique hotel. The Trail Hotel offers 87 classic and deluxe guest rooms, as well as eight bourbon-themed 548-square-foot suites. I rested my head in the Prohibition Suite, lined with art that pays tribute to Repeal Day in 1933. Each suite features a spacious living room area complete with a couch, coffee table, bar, and TV, as well as a bedroom boasting a king-size bed. In the bathroom, guests will find cozy branded robes and walk-in showers. The 274-square-foot guest rooms are available with either two queen beds or a king-size bed, and some have either a shared or private patio. The mid century modern interiors are styled in dark hues along with stylish leather and wood accents. Guests enjoy Southern-inspired dishes at Oak & Ember. Jessie Kriech-Higdon/The Trail Hotel Prior to signing on as The Trail Hotel's executive chef, Marvin Woods wrote three cookbooks, hosted the Emmy-nominated show Home Plate, and helped former first lady Michelle Obama with her Let's Move! campaign. Woods now helms The Trail Hotel's signature 110-seat restaurant, Oak & Ember, and its lobby bar Embers. After I savored a bowl of comforting Kentucky burgoo, Woods stopped by to deliver a beet salad topped with perfectly seared skin-on chicken and a side of cavatappi mac and cheese that made my inner child swoon. Summarizing his creations as Southern fare with a healthy-ish twist, Woods told me that he looked forward to celebrating local ingredients and recipes on his breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus. The Trail Hotel's speakeasy, Bourbon Vault. Jessie Kriech-Higdon/The Trail Hotel For the perfect pairing, tap into the powers of the hotel's director of food and beverage, Cole Liegel. A veteran of the three-Michelin-starred Napa Valley institution, The French Laundry, level three sommelier Liegel helps patrons select the best bottle to pair with their meal. (His riesling recommendation for me was spot-on.) From local beers to world-class wines to a large list of Kentucky bourbons, there's something for every taste and palate. Along the way, if you sample and fall in love with The Trail Hotel's signature bourbon, swing by the retail shop, scan the QR code on the label, and it will be shipped to your doorstep. The hotel also has a secret speakeasy, The Bourbon Vault, with its entrance hidden behind a floor-to-ceiling piece of art. The dim, 36-seat lounge offers a quiet respite and another splash of bourbon. The Trail Hotel does not offer in-room dining. Lounge chairs and dining tables on the pool deck. Jessie Kriech-Higdon/The Trail Hotel The Trail Hotel's rooms form a U-shape around the pool and an oversized hot tub. As I lounged in a comfy beach chair by the pool, I didn't need to go far for refreshments as The Swim Club Bar offers snacks and beverages. Inside, over bites from a charcuterie board, I giggled my way through a few holes on a virtual championship golf course at Par & Pour, The Trail Hotel's high definition golf simulator. Groups of up to eight can book this lounge, which comes with a full food and drink menu, as well as private bar services. Hotel guests enjoying themselves at Par & Pour. Jessie Kriech-Higdon/The Trail Hotel Within 24 hours of booking a room at The Trail Hotel, a bourbon butler reaches out to customize your experience, securing restaurant reservations, booking VIP distillery tours, tastings (and drivers), and coordinating cultural experiences. Since my bourbon butler, Norma, knew I preferred a diverse day rather than one completely focused on spirits, she created an itinerary that celebrated the area's food, drink, history, and natural beauty. We started with brunch at Mammy's Kitchen & Bar and then hiked through the rolling hills near the Abbey of Gethsemani. After lunch at Five Brothers Kitchen & Bar inside the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience, we enjoyed a grain-to-glass course before a tour at My Old Kentucky Home, a historic 200-year-old mansion and plantation. Instead of a traditional spa with massages, facials, and nail treatments, The Trail Hotel has a Rejuvenation Room, a 660-square-foot detox wellness area with a sauna, cryotherapy pod, oxygen bar, and IV therapy lounge. Although I had paced myself and drank plenty of water, I was feeling a bit stiff and sapped after my flights to Kentucky, so I booked my first-ever IV therapy treatment with Jennifer Cambron, who recommended a vitamin B complex boost. I didn't notice a huge difference immediately, but I slept like a dream that night and may have had a little extra pep in my step as I walked laps around the airport the next day. While minors are welcome at The Trail Hotel, due to its proximity to the Bourbon Trail and the adult-focused amenities, I'd recommend it as an ideal getaway for the 21+ crowd. The Trail Hotel fully complies with ADA regulations for service animals, and the step-free entrance to the hotel features automatic doors. Each of the four fully accessible guest rooms and the accessible king suite are equipped with lower sinks and counters, wheelchair-accessible doorways and layouts, roll-in showers with grab bars, and visual and vibrating fire alarms. The Trail Hotel is a 45-minute drive from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) and approximately 55 minutes from Lexington's Blue Grass Airport (LEX). The Trail Hotel offers complimentary shuttle service to places located within a three-mile radius of the hotel, including downtown Bardstown, My Old Kentucky Home State Park, the My Old Kentucky Dinner Train, and several local distilleries. For an additional fee, you can book a car service from and to the airport. The hotel team can also arrange transportation for experiences curated by the bourbon butlers. Still, a rental car can be handy for day trips to Louisville or Lexington. Nearby, you can explore several golf courses and lush green spaces (don't miss Bernheim Forest and Arboretum). Bardstown is part of Kentucky's Bourbon Trail. The Trail Hotel doesn't have partnerships with major credit cards or reward programs. Currently, the hotel offers a 15 percent discount on stays of three nights or more. Nightly rates at The Trail Hotel start from $229. Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.
Travel Daily News
30-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
The Trail Hotel officially opens in Bardstown, Kentucky
The Trail Hotel opens in Bardstown, Kentucky, offering bourbon lovers luxury stays, exclusive tastings, curated experiences, and elevated Southern hospitality. BARDSTOWN, KY – The Trail Hotel, the world's first bourbon-infused luxury hotel, is now welcoming guests in Bardstown, KY. Housed in a reimagined historic property, the 95-room hotel invites guests to experience Kentucky's famed Bourbon country with elevated Southern hospitality and interactive bourbon experiences. The property boasts eight signature suites, a four-star dining experience, five distinct bars and an array of modern wellness amenities – all just steps away from the legendary Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the hotel originally opened in 1970, serving as a community hub, hosting countless weddings, banquets and business meetings. Design expertise provided by nationally renowned Joseph & Joseph Architects has wholly re-imagined the property – formerly the Holiday Inn Bardstown – as a haven for bourbon lovers of all levels, from the dedicated aficionado to new enthusiasts. Redefining hospitality in Bardstown, the Bourbon Capital of the World, The Trail Hotel is more than a place to stay – it's a destination for connoisseurs of 'the good stuff,' with close proximity to 11 locally renowned distilleries. It offers an upscale home base for bourbon-minded lovers and business travelers alike. A Luxury Bourbon Experience Like No Other The property's dedication to bourbon culture goes far beyond the bottle. At the center of the experience is The Bourbon Butler, who bridges the gap between local distilleries, farms, restaurants, and other local tourism businesses for a curated experience guests will find nowhere else. With insider access and every connection, this butler will ensure guests' time in Bardstown is as immersive and effortless as possible. VIP Distillery Tours (three daily offerings, rotating among Bardstown's premier distilleries) Curated excursions to golf courses, farms, breweries and wineries Dining & Event Reservations across Bardstown and surrounding areas Custom Bourbon Experiences including private barrel tastings, speakeasy menus, and rare flight samplings Before arrival, the Bourbon Butler will check to ensure every detail is in place, whether that's an intimate tasting in the Bourbon Lounge, a therapeutic session in the Rejuvenation Room, or dinner at Oak & Ember. Adding to the exclusive appeal, The Trail Hotel will debut its own private-label bourbon and rye, available only to property guests. Hand-selected in collaboration with a renowned local distillery, this bourbon will be available for purchase and direct shipment to guests' homes and featured in special tasting experiences throughout the hotel. Elevated Food & Drink Offerings Executive chef Marvin Woods brings Kentucky's rich culinary story to life through thoughtfully crafted food and drink experiences. These include: Oak & Ember, the property's signature restaurant, offers an innovative take on Southern hospitality with a menu rooted in Kentucky tradition and a bourbon list that will impress even seasoned connoisseurs. Embers, the lobby bar, greets guests with a warm atmosphere and seating for more than 60, setting the tone for their bourbon journey. The Bourbon Lounge serves as a quiet, semi-private bourbon library for small gatherings and curated flights, while The Bourbon Vault provides an exclusive speakeasy experience hidden behind a discreet, art-adorned entrance. Outdoor relaxation meets indulgence at the poolside Swim Club Bar, while Bourbon Alley provides fireside lounges and casual bites. Meetings & Events With a Kentucky Flair At The Trail Hotel, meetings and events are infused with bourbon heritage and a mid-century modern flair. The hotel's gathering spaces can accommodate anything from small corporate retreats to grand affairs for up to 140 guests. The property features a variety of versatile indoor and outdoor venues, including lobby bar Embers, the intimate Bourbon Lounge speakeasy, and the open-air Pool Reception and Lawn spaces. Customizable meeting packages and an in-house culinary team allow events to be tailored to any need. Additional property highlights include: The Rejuvenation Room: A modern wellness retreat featuring an oxygen bar, hot sauna, cryotherapy, and IV hydration. Signature Suites: Enjoy eight luxurious accommodations with bourbon-inspired design touches. Par and Pour: This state-of-the-art, high definition golf simulator features a private bar, virtual recreations of world-famous championship courses and an in-house selection of clubs. The Reserve Room: A sophisticated private dining space accommodating up to 60 guests, perfect for meetings, receptions, private meals or curated bourbon tastings. 'We set out to create a place where the essence of Kentucky bourbon is not just tasted, but lived,' said Dan Sirrine, General Manager. 'Every detail, from our curated bourbon experiences to the warm tones and textures of the design, was made to immerse guests in Bardstown's history. The Trail Hotel is excited to welcome the world to Kentucky Bourbon Country in a bold new way.'
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Cell phone analyst experts testify at second day of Steven Lawson trial
Cell phone records show a defendant on trial in the Crystal Rogers investigation deleted several calls around the time Rogers disappeared, including at least one call with the main suspect, according to testimony from the second day of his trial. Steven Lawson, 54, of Chaplin, is charged with conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence for the disappearance of Crystal Rogers, a mother of five from Bardstown. Rogers, 35, was last seen on July 3, 2015, and was reported missing two days later. Her body has never been found, though she is presumed dead. Her car was found abandoned on the Bluegrass Parkway shortly after she was reported missing. Wednesday was the second day of Lawson's trial at the Warren County Justice Center in Bowling Green, and it featured testimony from cell phone analytics experts and former employees of Brooks Houck, Rogers' former boyfriend and the main suspect in the case. Nelson County Circuit Judge Charles Simms III previously decided to sever Lawson's trial from the other two suspects charged with Rogers' disappearance, Houck and Joseph Lawson, Steven Lawson's son. Houck is charged with murder and tampering with evidence while Joseph Lawson is charged with conspiracy to commit murder and complicity to tampering with evidence. Their joint jury trial is scheduled for late June. Steven Lawson's trial began Tuesday with opening statements and testimony from Rogers' mother, Sherry Ballard, and Nelson County Sheriff's Office Detective Jon Snow. Two cell phone analytics experts testified Wednesday about the activity of Lawson's phone around the time Rogers disappeared. Melissa Dover, a crime and intelligence analyst with the Elizabethtown Police Department, said there were many calls deleted from Steven Lawson's phone between July 3 and July 9, 2015. More than one of the deleted calls involved Houck, including a two-minute call on July 8, according to Dover. Steven Lawson's phone was also very active the night Rogers was last seen alive. Dover testified he missed two calls from his son at 11:06 p.m. and 11:54 p.m. Joseph Lawson called his son again at 12:03 a.m. on July 4 and the two talked for nearly three minutes, according to Dover. At 12:07 a.m. Steven Lawson called Houck and the conversation lasted 15 seconds. Steven Lawson spoke with his son over the phone one more time that evening at 1:08 a.m. for nearly four minutes, according to Dover. The following evening around 7:15 p.m. Joseph Lawson texted Steven Lawson asking what he's doing, and Steven Lawson responded with, 'same as you, sitting around having a bad day.' On July 17 Steven Lawson told his son over text to only communicate in person and avoid phone calls or text messages, according to Dover. The jury also heard from Tim O'Daniel a digital forensics analyst with the Louisville Metro Police Department. He shared his analysis of Steven Lawson's phone records, which showed his phone traveling around the area of the Bluegrass Parkway, including the area where Rogers' car was discovered, the night of her disappearance. A few of Houck's former employees were called to the witness stand Wednesday. One of them, Stacie Cramer, testified that one day she spotted Houck and Steven Lawson having a conversation in Houck's truck. The two drove around the neighborhood talking for a while, and Cramer said that wasn't typical behavior. Cramer used to build decks and install insulation for Houck's construction projects. At this particular job site, she was repairing a crack in a ceiling. When Steven Lawson was walking back to his truck after the conversation with Houck, Cramer asked him if she was in trouble for the ceiling crack. Cramer testified that Lawson said no and that he's got to go take care of something, referencing a girl with five children. Rogers has five children. Cramer said she never saw Steven Lawson at a job site after July 5, the date Rogers was reported missing. Cramer shared her account with Nelson County Sheriff's Office the following October 2015. Another former employee, Charlie Girdley, said he was hanging out with Joseph Lawson when he mentioned burying a girl and that they'd never find her. Girdley and Joseph Lawson later went to pick up Steven Lawson at a property on Thompson Hill Road and saw Rogers' car at the property. Girdley said he remembered seeing Houck give Joseph Lawson the keys to Rogers' car, saying it needed repairs, he testified.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Yahoo
Nearly 10 years after Crystal Rogers vanished in Bardstown, one of the men accused will stand trial: What to expect
BARDSTOWN, Ky. (FOX 56) — For nearly 10 years, the question 'Where is Crystal Rogers?' has plagued the Nelson County community, and on Tuesday, May 27, a jury will be seated to begin to unravel the answer for the first time. In a Warren County courtroom, a little over 100 miles from Bardstown, 54-year-old Steven Lawson will face a jury of his peers. In 2023, Lawson was charged with tampering with physical evidence and conspiracy to murder in connection with the disappearance of Crystal Rogers. 8 years of no answers: Where is Crystal Rogers? Crystal Rogers, a Bardstown mother, was 35 when she was last seen by her then-boyfriend, Brooks Houck, on July 3, 2015. According to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, Hock said he went to bed alone, and Rogers allegedly stayed up on her phone. That was the last time Rogers was reportedly seen alive. She was reported missing by her mother on July 5. That same day, her father, Tommy Ballard, discovered her car abandoned with a flat tire at mile marker 14 on the Bluegrass Parkway. Her phone, keys, and purse were still inside the red Chevrolet Impala. According to the FBI's Most Wanted Missing Persons database, Rogers was a mother to five children and is not known to go anywhere without them. Nearly 10 years after Crystal Rogers vanished in Bardstown, one of the men accused will stand trial: What to expect Country star gives back to Kentucky tornado victims Jessamine County Memorial Day service brings in hundreds to honor the fallen In 2023, the seemingly cold case gained momentum, and police would make a string of three arrests in connection with the investigation. Two years later, Brooks Houck, Steven Lawson, and Joseph Lawson are slated for trial by jury in connection with Rogers' disappearance. After a lengthy court battle, a judge ruled that Houck and Joseph would be tried together. Steven will be tried alone. The ruling stems from what the judge called Steven's 'wildly inconsistent' and 'ever-evolving' testimonies of what occurred leading to Rogers' disappearance. The court believed that Houck and Joseph wouldn't receive a fair trial if all three men were tried together. His trial will be the first of the two, beginning at 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning. The list of court filings made since Steven's 2023 arrest is lengthy, but its contents offer a glimpse of what the jury will hear in the Warren County courtroom. Crystal Rogers case: Man files motion to drop charges, 'promised immunity' Man charged in Crystal Rogers case fires attorney during hearing Hair found in Crystal Rogers' car nearly a decade ago isn't hers, to be DNA tested What we know about the 2015 Nancy Grace interview to be used as evidence in Crystal Rogers case A reported immunity agreement was made between Steven and the investigators in exchange for the truth. However, prosecutors have argued that Lawson has lied repeatedly to minimize his role in the Rogers case. A judge later rejected Steven's claims. In June 2024, evidence filed in Steven's immunity case revealed that he told investigators he saw his son and another man 'burning and digging' with construction equipment on a farm on Thompson Hill Road within five days of Rogers' disappearance in 2015. 'Obviously, the Commonwealth is convinced that parts of Lawson's statement are truthful,' May 2024 court documents state. But they go on to reveal that prosecutors believe that Lawson was more involved in Rogers' disappearance and death than he's let on. He allegedly admitted that he was recruited by Houck to move Rogers' car in the early morning hours of July 4, 2015, as well as looking for someone to 'get rid of Crystal Rogers,' per court documents. The filing alleges that the pair spent an 'inordinate amount of time together' preceding Rogers' disappearance, and witnesses allegedly claim that conversations between them and Steven show that Houck attempted to recruit Lawson or have him recruit somebody else to 'get rid of Rogers.' 'S. Lawson's statements fall apart when questions arise about what he was doing certain hours of the early morning of July 4 as well as the phone call Houck made to Lawson on July 8 from the police station,' the documents read. Lawson allegedly told detectives that the call in the early morning hours of July 4, 2015, was to tell Houck that 'the job is done,' alluding to the car being moved, per court documents. See the latest coverage of people missing in Kentucky Report a missing person(s) to FOX 56 News The latest breakthrough in the case was in regard to hair that was recovered from Rogers' car in 2015 and never tested for DNA. Kentucky State Police investigators reportedly determined the samples are not 'similar in characteristics' to Rogers' hair. A special prosecutor asked the judge to order that Steven complete a buccal swab for comparison. But DNA testing could take months, and the court opted not to delay the trial any further in an April 2025 order. The trial against Houck and Joseph is set to begin on June 24. Jury selection for Steven's trial will begin around 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Yahoo
Steven Lawson trial to start soon. What to know ahead of first trial in Crystal Rogers case
After nearly a decade, the first trial connected with the disappearance and presumed death of Bardstown mother Crystal Rogers is set to begin May 27. Steven Lawson, 54, of Bardstown, will stand trial for charges including conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence, according to court records. While the alleged crime occurred in Nelson County, the trial will take place in Warren County because of the national attention the case has received. Two other men, Brooks Houck and Joseph Lawson — Steven Lawson's son — will stand trial for charges related to the case starting June 24. Here's what to know about the case and the upcoming trial. Rogers, a 35-year-old mother of five children, went missing around July 3, 2015, from Bardstown. Her car was found abandoned on Bluegrass Parkway with her keys, phone and purse inside. Rogers was not known to go anywhere without her kids, according to the FBI. Rogers' body has never been found, but she is presumed dead by investigators. Steven Lawson — the third and latest person charged in the case — was arrested in December 2023. The 54-year-old man faces charges of tampering with physical evidence and conspiracy to murder. He has pleaded not guilty. Joseph Lawson, Steven Lawson's 34-year-old son, was arrested in September 2023. He was the first person arrested in the case. Joseph Lawson, like his father, faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence, according to court records. He has pleaded not guilty. Houck, 43, was arrested in September 2023, just weeks after Joseph Lawson was taken into custody. The FBI announced Houck was arrested "without incident" at a job site. Houck is charged with murder "by intentionally or under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to human life wantonly causing the death of Crystal Rogers," according to court records. He is also charged with tampering with physical evidence. Houck, Rogers' boyfriend at the time of her disappearance and the father of her youngest child, told investigators he last saw Rogers alive when they visited his family's farm the night before she disappeared. He has denied involvement in the disappearance and has pleaded not guilty. In March 2024, attorneys for Lawson filed a motion to dismiss his charges or have his statements to the Kentucky State Police and his grand jury testimony suppressed. According to the motion, Lawson was promised immunity by state investigators in exchange for his cooperation and gave multiple interviews with investigators based on that offer. Judge Charles Simms denied the requests to dismiss the charges against Steven Lawson and suppress his testimony but allowed statements he gave during interviews with KSP to be excluded, according to court records. Lawson fired his defense attorney during a pretrial hearing Aug. 8, 2024. At the beginning of the hearing, Lawson asked for permission from the court to remove attorney Theodore Lavit as his defense. He was sitting by Lavit when he informed the court of his intention. The removal of Lavit came as prosecutors alleged improper collusion between the lawyer and another defense team in the case. Prosecutors filed a motion in March 2024 to consolidate the three defendants into a joint trial, citing the grounds that each indictment is centered around Rogers' murder. All three men pushed back against that attempt. In November 2024, Simms issued an order for Steven Lawson to be tried separately from Joseph Lawson and Houck, according to court records. In his order, Simms pointed to prosecutors' intent to use Steven Lawson's "ever-evolving" grand jury testimony at a joint trial. Attorneys for Joseph Lawson and Houck have said they want to use interviews between Steven Lawson and investigators — which cannot be used against Steven Lawson because of a prior immunity agreement — to explain why his grand jury testimony changed over time. Joseph Lawson and Houck, Simms said, would suffer prejudice if the jury heard Steven Lawson's grand jury testimony but not his interviews. Houck is a prominent businessman in Nelson County involved in real estate. He is a current officer for Houck Rentals in Bardstown, according to Kentucky Secretary of State records. Court records show the Lawsons performed work for Houck. Both trials related to Rogers' disappearance will take place in Warren County. Simms ordered to move the trials there following motions by all three defendants to move court proceedings outside of Nelson County, where the alleged crimes occurred. The chosen venue is roughly 100 miles south of Bardstown. The co-defendants argued that keeping the trial in Nelson County would impede their rights to a fair and impartial trial because the publicity and news coverage the case has received could lead to a prejudiced jury pool. Steven Lawson was originally set to stand trial in February 2025, but it was delayed to May after his defense filed a motion Jan. 3 asking for the trial to be postponed to allow time for them to review prosecutorial evidence. The motion came after he had fired his former defense attorney, Theodore Lavit, in August 2024. His new defense attorneys, Darren Wolff and Zach Buckler, said they needed more time to review an "anomalously high' amount of evidence to ensure a full defense and fair trial, according to court records. Steven Lawson filed another motion to delay his trial in April, but it was denied. Former Courier Journal reporter Rachel Smith contributed. Contact reporter Killian Baarlaer at kbaarlaer@ or @bkillian72 on X. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Crystal Rogers murder case: Steven Lawson trial, timeline, venue
