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Special Prosecutor Shane Young responded to the recent filings made by the suspects charged in the Crystal Rogers investigation.

Attorneys for Brooks Houck filed an objection to the special prosecutor’s motion to try Houck, Steven Lawson, and Joseph Lawson in the same trial, with attorneys for the Lawsons joining the objection. Houck’s attorneys stated that Houck could not get a fair trial as trying the three together would take away his ability to cross-examine the Lawsons.

Special Prosecutor Shane Young said in response: “There is no undue prejudice as a result of defendants pointing fingers at each other, rather our courts have favored joinder in such instances.” Young also says it is important to try the three together in order for the jury to see the prosecution’s argument that the three worked together to cover-up the crimes committed.

Young also responded to the motion to dismiss charges against Steven Lawson due to his claim that he was offered immunity. Young says Lawson was charged because of inconsistencies with his story, and it is ultimately up to his defense to prove in court his immunity argument.

All three suspects are expected back in court for a pre-trial conference on June 13. Meanwhile, Nelson Circuit Court Judge Charles Simms III is reviewing a motion filed by the prosecutor and the defenses to move the trial out of Nelson County.

A Tennessee man is dead following a wrong-way collision on Interstate 65 near Elizabethtown.

“The Kentucky State Police investigated a two-vehicle collision on Interstate 65 near Elizabethtown on Wednesday around 10:59 p.m.,” said Sergeant Jason Morris with the Kentucky State Police Commercial Enforcement Division. “The preliminary investigation indicates a 2016 Lexus being operated by 50-year-old Jeffrey Simonton of Clarksville, Tennessee, was traveling north on I-65 in the southbound lanes. A 2019 Volvo truck and semi trailer operated by Alexander Bojov of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, was traveling south on Interstate 65.”

Bojov was unable to avoid Simonton’s vehicle and they collided head-on.

“Simonton was ejected from the vehicle and later pronounced dead at the scene by the Hardin County Corner,” Morris said. “Simonton and Bojav were not wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash, and Bojav was transported to University of Louisville Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.”

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says the crash blocked the southbound lanes of I-65 near mile marker 90 for several hours Thursday morning.

Governor Andy Beshear announced the awarding of more than $9 million in recycling program grants this week, and several local governments are among the recipients. 

The funding will support 73 projects across the commonwealth to support the expansion of recycling, the reduction of the amount of solid waste going into landfills, and improved handling of household hazardous waste.

The recycling program awards funds through three programs. Recycling grants provide funds for counties to purchase recycling equipment. Composting grants allow for the purchase of equipment to improve composting and promote creative solutions for solid waste. The household hazardous waste grant gives funds for counties to conduct annual drop-off events for disposal of waste such as chemicals and electronics.

The LaRue County Fiscal Court received about $71,000 and the Meade County Fiscal Court received more than $1 million in recycling grants. The Bullitt County Fiscal Court received about $42,000 and the Hardin County Fiscal Court received about $47,000 in household hazardous waste grants.

The grants are funded through the Kentucky Pride Fund, which is generated by fees for municipal solid waste disposed of at Kentucky landfills. 

Visit the Kentucky Division of Waste Management website for more information.