Steve Lawson files notice of appeal, looks for conviction to be overturned in Crystal Rogers case Shay McAlister September 03, 2025 – 3 min read Share this post Paid Subscriber Content Still waiting for answers: inside Till and Betty Ballard's long history of grief and determination Till and Betty Ballard have buried their son Tommy and their daughter Sherry, but their granddaughter Crystal still has no grave. They visit two cemeteries every Sunday and wait for answers. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism By Shay McAlister • 6 min read Bardstown Cases From silence to sentencing: Sherry Ballard's first interview since Crystal's case was solved In her first interview since 2023, Sherry Ballard opens up about the silence that scared her, the testimony that broke her, and the guilty verdicts that finally brought justice for Crystal. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism By Shay McAlister • 21 min read Bardstown Cases After a decade of waiting, Crystal Rogers' lead detective reveals: 'We could have prosecuted in 2016' After years of declining interviews, the lead detective in Kentucky's most notorious missing persons case reveals what really happened behind the scenes. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. This story is By Shay McAlister • 11 min read CREDIT: Kentucky Department of Corrections Covering Kentucky Kentucky Supreme Court overturns murder conviction in case of Louisville father, daughter Kevon Lawless was convicted of two counts of murder in 2022, after a jury found him guilty of shooting and killing Brandon Waddles and his three-year-old daughter, Trinity Randolph. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion By Shay McAlister • 4 min read Covering Kentucky They didn't hesitate: how four Kentuckians saved a State Trooper's life The Kentucky State Police recognized four Kentuckians, whose quick actions helped save the life of a trooper shot in the line of duty this summer. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. Are you By Shay McAlister • 2 min read Photo by Clément Falize / Unsplash Covering Kentucky Rabies-positive bats found in two Louisville neighborhoods Louisville residents are being reminded to stay vigilant after two bats tested positive for rabies in the Prospect and Germantown areas. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. Are you new here? Sign up By Shay McAlister • 2 min read Shelby Leigh in the ICU after her operation. Shay Originals Three Louisville moms beat the odds after life-threatening pregnancy complication As their babies approach their first birthdays, three local women are raising awareness about a rare condition most expectant mothers have never heard of. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. Are you new By Shay McAlister • 9 min read Credit: Frankfort Police Facebook Covering Kentucky "We don't tolerate hate": Kentucky police respond to KKK flyers found in neighborhoods The Frankfort Police Department is asking for the public's help after disturbing flyers were reported in neighborhoods across the city. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. Are you new here? Sign By Shay McAlister • 1 min read Credit: Wolfe County Search & Rescue Team facebook Covering Kentucky Lost hiker rescued from Red River Gorge cliff line- and it's happened before The Wolfe County Search and Rescue Team is stumped by repeat rescues at the same spot. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. Are you new here? Sign up for the free newsletter or By Shay McAlister • 3 min read
Paid Subscriber Content Still waiting for answers: inside Till and Betty Ballard's long history of grief and determination Till and Betty Ballard have buried their son Tommy and their daughter Sherry, but their granddaughter Crystal still has no grave. They visit two cemeteries every Sunday and wait for answers. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism By Shay McAlister • 6 min read
Bardstown Cases From silence to sentencing: Sherry Ballard's first interview since Crystal's case was solved In her first interview since 2023, Sherry Ballard opens up about the silence that scared her, the testimony that broke her, and the guilty verdicts that finally brought justice for Crystal. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism By Shay McAlister • 21 min read
Bardstown Cases After a decade of waiting, Crystal Rogers' lead detective reveals: 'We could have prosecuted in 2016' After years of declining interviews, the lead detective in Kentucky's most notorious missing persons case reveals what really happened behind the scenes. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. This story is By Shay McAlister • 11 min read
CREDIT: Kentucky Department of Corrections Covering Kentucky Kentucky Supreme Court overturns murder conviction in case of Louisville father, daughter Kevon Lawless was convicted of two counts of murder in 2022, after a jury found him guilty of shooting and killing Brandon Waddles and his three-year-old daughter, Trinity Randolph. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion By Shay McAlister • 4 min read
Covering Kentucky They didn't hesitate: how four Kentuckians saved a State Trooper's life The Kentucky State Police recognized four Kentuckians, whose quick actions helped save the life of a trooper shot in the line of duty this summer. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. Are you By Shay McAlister • 2 min read
Photo by Clément Falize / Unsplash Covering Kentucky Rabies-positive bats found in two Louisville neighborhoods Louisville residents are being reminded to stay vigilant after two bats tested positive for rabies in the Prospect and Germantown areas. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. Are you new here? Sign up By Shay McAlister • 2 min read
Shelby Leigh in the ICU after her operation. Shay Originals Three Louisville moms beat the odds after life-threatening pregnancy complication As their babies approach their first birthdays, three local women are raising awareness about a rare condition most expectant mothers have never heard of. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. Are you new By Shay McAlister • 9 min read
Credit: Frankfort Police Facebook Covering Kentucky "We don't tolerate hate": Kentucky police respond to KKK flyers found in neighborhoods The Frankfort Police Department is asking for the public's help after disturbing flyers were reported in neighborhoods across the city. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. Are you new here? Sign By Shay McAlister • 1 min read
Credit: Wolfe County Search & Rescue Team facebook Covering Kentucky Lost hiker rescued from Red River Gorge cliff line- and it's happened before The Wolfe County Search and Rescue Team is stumped by repeat rescues at the same spot. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. Are you new here? Sign up for the free newsletter or By Shay McAlister • 3 min read
