BARDSTOWN, Ky. — One of the three men charged in the Crystal Rogers murder case is asking for a new attorney. 

Steven Lawson told a Nelson County judge Aug. 8 that his current lawyer, Ted Lavit, wasn't doing a good job. Lavit told the judge he was unaware of any problems or that Lawson wanted a new attorney.

The prosecutor in the case asked the judge to investigate Lavit over "peculiarity" in the language and evidence used in the motions filed on behalf of both Lawson and Brooks Houck. The judge did not address those remarks but did order the public defender's office to appoint a new attorney for Lawson by Aug. 22. 

Lawson had previously filed a motion March 5 to dismiss charges against him, claiming he was promised immunity if he cooperated with prosecutors and police. However, the court found there was never a written immunity agreement between Lawson and the Commonwealth and found he lied in interviews, as the Commonwealth's offer of immunity was based on him being truthful when talking with police and investigators. 

Other suspects in the case are Houck and Lawson's father, Joseph Lawson. Houck is charged with the murder of Rogers, who was his girlfriend at the time of her disappearance, while the Lawsons are charged with tampering with evidence and conspiracy to commit murder. A trial date has been set for Feb. 2025. 

Rogers, a 35-year-old mother of five, disappeared July 3, 2015, and is presumed dead. Her car was found abandoned on the Bluegrass Parkway, and her body has never been found.