LOUISVILLE, Ky., (WDRB) -- Steve Lawson was recruited by Brooks Houck to move Crystal Rogers’ vehicle after she went missing in early July 2015, prosecutors revealed in court records Friday morning.
Lawson, who worked for Houck, “does not dispute” he was at the location where Rogers’ vehicle was found, running on the side of Bluegrass Parkway with her purse still inside.
“Lawson further admitted that Brooks Houck was trying to find someone to get rid of Crystal Rogers,” the prosecution said in court records. “Other witnesses have offered evidence indicating that S. Lawson and Houck spend an inordinate amount of time together immediately preceding Rogers’s disappearance.”
In addition, witnesses came forward saying Lawson told them that Houck was trying to recruit him or someone else “to get rid of Rogers.”
The evidence against Lawson is being revealed after he has asked that the charges against him in the Rogers murder case be dismissed — or at least that his statements be thrown out — because he was promised immunity for talking with investigators.
But the prosecution said Lawson repeatedly lied during his discussions with investigators, negating any plea deal.
“Lawson’s inability to tell a consistent narrative of what occurred on July 3, 2015 into July 4, 2015, and to explain his answers regarding a call that Brooks Houck made to him from the police station were reasons that Mr. Lawson was denied immunity,” prosecutors wrote. “His story regarding those periods of time consistently changed throughout.”
After eight years of investigation, Lawson was the third man charged in Rogers' disappearance last year. His son, Joseph Lawson, and Houck have also been indicted.
Rogers was last seen with her boyfriend, Houck, during the Fourth of July weekend in 2015. She's presumed dead, but her body was never found.
Steve Lawson has been indicted on charges of criminal conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence. He has pleaded not guilty.
Lawson, who did part-time construction work with Houck, talked with him by phone shortly after Rogers' disappearance.
During a police interrogation after Rogers disappeared, Houck was asked about Steve Lawson and said Lawson was "somebody that works for me."
In that police interview, Houck called Lawson, who answered and said to Houck, "I just want to tell you I'm sorry about everything that's going on in your life brother, I got you in my prayers."
Prosecutors allege that the call in the early morning of July 4, 2015, was to tell Brooks, "the job is done.." of moving Rogers' car.
His attorney, Ted Lavit, has told WDRB that Steve Lawson's son, Joseph, "drove Crystal's vehicle west on the Bluegrass (Parkway) to, I believe it was Mile Marker 14 or 16, where he had a flat tire."
And Lavit said in an interview that Steve Lawson picked his son up and also removed a miniature Louisville slugger bat from the vehicle. But Lavit said that was the only involvement his client had in the case.
In September, Joseph Lawson was charged with criminal conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence in connection with the death of Rogers.
The prosecution has alleged that both Lawsons were involved in moving Rogers’ vehicle. Houck called them shortly before the vehicle was moved, according to the court documents.
Houck, the primary suspect in the disappearance of Rogers, was arrested Sept. 27, after being charged with complicity to murder and tampering with physical evidence.
Houck was the last person seen with Rogers, his former girlfriend and the mother of his 10-year-old son.
Houck's attorney, Brian Butler, was asked by WDRB for comment on the release of the court documents about Lawson's claim. He responded that, "I don't intend to make any comments about this case."
Joseph Lawson's attorney, Kevin Coleman said he had no comment to add for this story.
He has pleaded not guilty and is in jail on a $10 million bond.
The 2025 trial is likely to be moved from Nelson County to Christian County.
The prosecution and defense agreed in March that there has been too much publicity since Rogers disappeared in 2015 to find an unbiased jury in Nelson County.
Both sides came to an agreement on Christian County.
The prosecution filed a motion Friday to put all three men on trial together.
A hearing is set for June 13.
This story will be updated.
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