It is not the amount that his attorney requested, but Nelson Circuit Court Judge Charles Simms III has granted a bond reduction for Crystal Rogers investigation suspect Stephen Lawson.
Simms issued an order Tuesday reducing Lawson’s bond from $500,000 to $250,000. Lawson faces charges of Conspiracy to Commit Murder and Tampering with Physical Evidence following his arrest in the investigation.
Lawson’s lawyer Ted Lavit said during a bond reduction hearing last Thursday that Lawson was not a flight risk and had fully cooperated with state and federal authorities every time he has been questioned in the investigation. Lavit requested the bond be reduced to either $20,000 cash or a $40,000 real estate bond because although Lawson still did not have financial resources to reach that amount it was more attainable than $500,000.
Simms noted that neither the defense or the prosecution called witnesses during the hearing, so the court is unable to determine whether Lawson had been sent to Winchester, Ind., on December 6 when he was arrested at his mother’s residence in Harrison County. Lawson was told the grand jury would be considering charges against him on December 5, and Simms said “it is highly suspicious that Lawson was discovered in another state after being informed of the potential indictment.”
Simms considered Lawson’s limited finances in reducing the bond, and also considered that Lawson’s criminal history does not include any violent acts. Simms said Lawson’s pretrial assessment determined him to be a moderate flight risk, and said the bond amount still reflects the severity of the charges and the potential prison sentence Lawson would consider fleeing from.
Lawson remains incarcerated at the Nelson County Correctional Center.
