Presenting: The First 48 podcast from A&E and Crime House

Summary

Cold Case Files — Presenting: The First 48 Podcast

Episode: “The Dark Trail”
Date: July 22, 2026
Host: Marissa Pinson / Narrator: Carter Roy

Episode Overview

In this special episode, Cold Case Files shares an installment from “The First 48” podcast, focusing on a high-stakes murder investigation in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The story unpacks how detectives race to solve the shooting of Mark “Smalls” Lake, an unhoused man, during the pivotal 48 hours after the crime. Through tense interviews, immersive witness accounts, and forensic breakthroughs, listeners follow investigators’ dogged pursuit of the suspects, exploring themes of vulnerability in the unhoused community, cycles of addiction and survival, and the resilience required to seek justice.

---

Key Discussion Points & Case Progression

The Crime and Setting

• Location: A field behind a Tulsa gas station frequented by the local unhoused community.
• Victim: Mark Clifford Lake (“Smalls”) — described as good-hearted, striving for stability for his family.
• Witness: His wife, Georgette Lake, deeply devoted and key to the investigation.
• Opening Reflection:
  • Georgette Lake (01:15): "He was an amazing man. Think you can ever find a man that would make you just come out here to this and be like, okay, babe, I love you. I'm happy and comfortable. This is my home."
• Crime: On August 29, 2020, Mark is shot and killed in his encampment just after 9 p.m.

---

The Investigation Launches

• Detective Jason White leads the case.
• Immediate Evidence: Two bicycles, several knives, a backpack—none conclusively tied to the killer.
• Witnesses:
  • Rowdy Peterson (another resident)
  • Georgette Lake (victim’s wife)
• Critical Stat: Chance of solving a murder drops by half without a lead in the first 48 hours.

Notable Quote

• Narrator (02:01): "For homicide detectives, their chance of solving a murder is cut in half if they don't get a lead within the first 48 hours."

---

Witness Interviews & Early Leads

• Rowdy Peterson recounts the moment (06:42):

  • Two men approach the tent, both armed, asking about Mark’s whereabouts.
  • Rowdy Peterson: "They both had guns. Had to clasp up my face. Kept asking me questions about is he gonna come back soon, who's he got with him, where'd he go? ... they came to rob the guy."
  • He hears shots, describes fleeing in fear.

• Suspect Descriptions:

  • First: Tank top, blue rag over face.
  • Second: Dark-skinned, dark clothes, blue jeans.
  • Rowdy (09:17): “Would you be able to identify either one of these guys?” // “Yes.”

Memorable Moment

• Rowdy Peterson (10:09): Reveals the Lakes were trying to save enough money to secure housing and regain custody of their kids: "It's sad. They lost the kids because of drug sales, and they try and sell drugs to give a house so you don't lose your kids."

---

Mark’s Wife: Grief, Truth, and Reluctance

• Georgette’s Account (11:01-13:00):
  • Tells Det. White returning from doing laundry, finds two men attacking Mark.
  • Hesitant at first to name the suspects; possible fear of retaliation or desire for personal retribution.
  • Detective White pushes for honesty, referencing Rowdy’s claim that Georgette knows more.

Notable Exchange

• Det. Jason White (12:49): "Rowdy seems to think that you're not going to be completely honest with us because he thinks that you're going to want to take care of business on your own."

---

Breakthroughs: Names, Tattoos, and Surveillance

• Identification (14:07-16:26):

  • Georgette identifies one assailant as “A.J.,” describes a Grim Reaper tattoo.
  • Gives a location—Latimer Place.
  • Georgette (16:31): "Yes. Check his shoulder." (On seeing AJ’s picture)
  • Database search yields: Andres J. Martinez (“A.J.”), recently arrested, homeless, from California.

• Possible Motive (17:00-17:23):

  • Drug debt between Mark and AJ; a confrontation led to Mark taking AJ’s bike.

---

Second Suspect: “Loco” Emerges

• Police nab Jason Enrique Arce (“Loco”), a gang member with a violent record, spotted acting suspiciously near the scene (19:43-20:27).
• Det. White (20:27): "For him to be certified as a gang member in the city of Tulsa, that says something right there in and of itself ... It's kind of scary. We don't run across hardcore people like him."

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Connecting the Dots

• Photo Lineups:

  • Both Rowdy and Georgette identify AJ and Loco as possible suspects (21:41-22:09).
  • Georgette admits it was dark, couldn’t entirely verify Loco.

• Interrogations:

  • Loco denies involvement; claims he stormed off after a fight with his girlfriend.
  • Both suspects deny knowing each other initially.

• AJ is located and interrogated (35:20+):

  • Confirms nickname, tattoo, previous altercation with Mark.
  • Denies murder, claims misunderstanding over the bike and prior conflict.

Notable Quote

• AJ Martinez (39:25): "There's no sense in that. I don't have no guns at all. I don't. That's not what I do. I don't kill people."

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Forensic & Digital Investigative Breakthroughs

• Surveillance Video (30:04-31:41):

  • Video disproves Loco’s and girlfriend’s story: they shared an intimate moment, not a fight, before leaving together.
  • Both men seen leaving the scene together post-shooting.

• Phone Evidence (32:01):

  • Sergeant Schilling finds AJ’s number in Loco’s phone, location data corroborates their proximity.

• Gunshot Residue:

  • Both suspects test positive.

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The Arrests and Resolutions

• Loco (Arce): Arrested and booked for murder (34:28).

• AJ (Martinez): Located sleeping outside a house, arrested and interrogated (34:56-39:39).

• Final Interrogations:

  • Both deny the shooting, but evidence mounts.
  • Det. White (39:39): "Okay, Loco got charged with murder, so you're going to get the same thing."
  • Motivation appears rooted in Mark disrespecting AJ by taking his bike – possible pressure to retaliate as a show of gang loyalty.

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Case Closure and Aftermath

• Results (41:16):
  • Gunshot residue seals the prosecution.
  • AJ Martinez: Pleads guilty to manslaughter, receives 40 years.
  • Jason Arce: Convicted of first-degree murder, sentenced to life.

Notable Reflection

• Det. White (41:55): "You know, this was a challenging case straight out of the gate, just because you're dealing with the homeless population, for starters. Sometimes they're afraid. For her to have the courage to step up. I'm extremely proud of her, and I think that she did the right thing for her husband.”

---

Georgette’s Life After

• Georgette shares her recovery (42:38-44:08):
  • Moves in with her mother following Mark’s death, fights to regain stability, is grateful for the mark he left on her family.
  • Georgette Lake (43:43): "All he ever wanted was the best for me. So I'm trying little steps at a time."

---

Timestamps of Major Segments

• [00:48] Setting the Scene: Tulsa encampment, Mark & Georgette’s life
• [03:37] 911 Call & Police Arrival
• [06:11] Detective White Begins Interviews
• [09:15] Suspect Descriptions Established
• [11:27] Interview with Georgette, hesitancy in naming suspects
• [14:07] Georgette Provides Key Identification
• [16:26] ID of “A.J.” (Andres Martinez) confirmed
• [19:43] Loco (Jason Arce) located, background checked
• [22:32] Confrontation with Loco in interview
• [30:04] Surveillance video reveals timeline, refutes alibis
• [32:01] Phone evidence links suspects
• [34:28] Loco arrested
• [35:29] AJ’s arrest and interview
• [41:16] Case closes—arrests, sentences
• [42:38] Georgette’s life after tragedy

---

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Georgette Lake (01:15): “He was an amazing man. ... This is my home.”
• Narrator (02:01): "For homicide detectives, their chance of solving a murder is cut in half if they don't get a lead within the first 48 hours."
• Rowdy Peterson (10:09): “Try and sell drugs to get a house so you don't lose your kids.”
• Detective White (12:49): "Rowdy seems to think that you're not going to be completely honest with us..."
• Georgette Lake (16:31): “Yes. Check his shoulder.” (on identifying ‘A.J.’)
• Detective Jason White (20:27): “He's been certified for a reason. He's got a motherload of tattoos on his face. ... It's kind of scary. We don't run across hardcore people like him.”
• Detective White (41:55): “I'm extremely proud of her, and I think that she did the right thing for her husband on his behalf.”
• Georgette Lake (43:43): “All he ever wanted was the best for me. So I'm trying little steps at a time.”

---

Episode Tone & Themes

• Gritty, candid, respectful to the lived realities of the unhoused.
• Emphasizes compassion for survivors, importance of procedural diligence, and the emotional weight of homicide investigations.
• Highlights the challenges faced by marginalized victims and the bravery required to seek justice.

---

Conclusion

This installment of The First 48, presented by Cold Case Files, skillfully charts the investigation into Mark Lake’s murder, from the traumatic crime to resolution. Through persistent interviewing, community cooperation, and precise police work, detectives demonstrate the razor-thin margins for solving homicides among society’s most vulnerable. The episode closes on Georgette’s resilience, turning trauma into tentative hope—a powerful coda that speaks to the enduring spirit of those left behind.

Transcript

[Marissa]

Hey, everyone, it's Marissa. Exciting news. A and E and Crime House are teaming up for the official podcast version of the famous true crime series the First 48. Each week, Carter Roy will take you inside the critical first 48 hours of a homicide case. The interrogations, the dead ends, and the breakthroughs that crack a case wide open. Real detectives, real cases, real stakes. We've got an episode of the show for you to listen to now. And if you like what you hear and want more, make sure to follow the First 48 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to podcasts. There's also a link to the show in this episode's description. New episodes are out every Thursday.

[Narrator]

This is Crime House. There's a large grassy field behind a gas station in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Around its overgrown edges, unhoused people find shelter from the elements. Georgette Lake is one of those people, and so is her husband, Mark, AKA Smalls. She reflects on what brought them to this place.

[Georgette Lake]

We're right to the entrance of the field. Over the years we've been together, me and Smalls always end up back over in this area. He was an amazing man. Think you can ever find a man that would make you just come out here to this and be like, okay, babe, I love you. I'm happy and comfortable. This is my home.

[Narrator]

But while the field gives them a place to stay, it's also full of danger.

[Georgette Lake]

Feels like this place just devours everything that touches it. And he knew it was coming. He'd tell me a week before that something, something was about to change. Something's about to happen. Out here is where I lost my best friend, my heart. I lost my whole world.

[Narrator]

For homicide detectives, their chance of solving a murder is cut in half if they don't get a lead within the first 48 hours. Welcome to the first 48 presented by a and E Global Media, ITV America and Crime House Studios. Adapted from the hit TV show, every episode features a high stakes homicide investigation in the critical hours that define it. Today's episode brings us to Tulsa, Oklahoma, when an unhoused man is shot dead near his shelter. Homicide detectives have to work fast to solve the case before his killers disappear. With little evidence and only a couple of witnesses, it's a race against the clock. Counting up to 48 hours. A note. This program documents actual homicide investigations. Criminal charges are often dropped or reduced and all suspects covered on this podcast are presumed innocent unless proven guess guilty. In some episodes, certain details have been changed to protect the identities of witnesses or the integrity of the investigation. Listener discretion is advised. This case is called the dark trail. At 9:15pm on August 29, 2020, I, a 911 dispatcher in Tulsa, Oklahoma, receives a call.

[911 Dispatcher / Police Officer]

911 Jeannie. Police. Fire. Medical police. Directly behind me, I heard this screaming and my dog was barking like crazy. They just fired a gunshot. Did you see it happen or just hear it? I heard it, but I seen the flash from the gunshot. Some woman is screaming, and I went out there to see what was going on.

[Narrator]

Officers rush to the crime scene, A field behind a gas station. When they arrive, the count to 48 hours begins. After the area is cordoned off and the evidence is documented, homicide detective Jason White inspects the scene.

[911 Dispatcher / Police Officer]

Hey.

[Narrator]

Detective White ducks under the police tape and heads down a darkened path, using his flashlight to illuminate the surroundings. After a short walk, he spots the victim lying face up on the ground. He suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. The victim's name is Mark Clifford Lake, also known as Smalls. Described as a good hearted guy, Mark and his wife Georgette called this encampment home While they searched for a permanent place to live. Aside from getting off the streets, Mark wanted to create a stable environment for himself, Georgette, and his three stepchildren. But before he got the chance, someone took Mark's life, and now he. It's up to Detective White and his team to solve his murder. Around the crime scene, they find some evidence. Two bicycles, a couple knives, and a backpack. But none of it is conclusive. However, two people witnessed the crime. Mark's wife Georgette and one of the camp's other residents, Rowdy Peterson. Detective White asks them to go down to the station so he can talk to them. But before he leaves, he has another idea.

[Detective Jason White]

We may have video of these guys. At a quick trip, we might get video of the actual suspects potentially coming down the trail.

[Rowdy Peterson]

They got officers in there working on that right now.

[Detective Jason White]

All right, well, I definitely want that footage. I'm gonna start going downtown and start interviewing these people.

[Narrator]

It's been one hour and 14 minutes. Detective White arrives at the station and begins his questioning. He wants to talk to Rowdy Peterson first. Detective White figures he'll be a little less emotional and can break down what happened.

[Detective Jason White]

Hi, buddy. I'm the detective that's handling this case.

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

All right.

[Detective Jason White]

Where are you living?

[Rowdy Peterson]

On the trees?

[Detective Jason White]

Are you kind of standing up there in that field and just tell me what happened?

[Rowdy Peterson]

Earlier, they asked me if I could save you for 20 minutes to wash your dog because their camp had Been getting filled for these people. Dope.

[Narrator]

According to Rowdy, Mark and Georgette had asked him to keep an eye on their things while they went on an errand. And everything was quiet until it wasn't.

[Rowdy Peterson]

I heard some wrestling in bites here. Talking to dogs and can't come out of nowhere with gun.

[Narrator]

He says two men approached Mark's tent.

[Rowdy Peterson]

They both had guns. Had to clasp up my face. Kept asking me questions about is he gonna come back soon, who's he got with him, where'd he go? I just know he went to a friend's house in the neighborhood and he'd be back 20 minutes.

[Detective Jason White]

Who knew what they asking for?

[Narrator]

For Smalls, if you recall, Smalls was Mark Lake's nickname.

[Rowdy Peterson]

Smalls sells dope out there in the woods and they kn. Yeah, I think they came to rob the guy.

[Detective Jason White]

Did you see them shoot tonight?

[Rowdy Peterson]

I did not see them shoot. I heard the men's hugs. I took off running.

[Detective Jason White]

Did you see those guys over there right before this happened?

[Rowdy Peterson]

Yeah, I see them. They have families off in that neighborhood not too far away.

[Narrator]

Rowdy says he's seen the two men in the area before and that right before Mark and Georgette came back, he overheard one of the suspects on the phone with a woman. The conversation was heated.

[Rowdy Peterson]

They were very upset that his wife was going to come back with him. For sure they were going to kill him. They were probably killing him and he went to have to kill the wife.

[Narrator]

In the end, it seems like they decided to only go after Mark and leave Georgette alone. Sergeant Nathan Schilling asks Rowdy more about the murder itself.

[Sergeant Nathan Schilling]

Between the times they find the guns in chief and Smalls got shot from the juicy or hear from the Smalls.

[Rowdy Peterson]

I heard these like, what the you doing out here? Shot him twice. I jumped up. I took off running, man. I was scared. I thought they were gonna kill me. I heard just pop, pop, pop. I heard about five shots. I think both of them shot their weapons.

[Detective Jason White]

Can you describe them for me? One at a time.

[Rowdy Peterson]

Easiest. Paint. He was wearing the tank top and blue rag on his face. Okay.

[Detective Jason White]

Does he have any tattoos?

[Rowdy Peterson]

I don't know.

[Detective Jason White]

What about the other guy?

[Rowdy Peterson]

Another guy's dark skinned? Dark. Dark brown, Dark clothing, blue jeans, I believe.

[Detective Jason White]

Would you be able to identify either one of these guys?

[Rowdy Peterson]

Yes.

[Detective Jason White]

They live up in that neighborhood?

[Rowdy Peterson]

Yeah, they live in that neighborhood. I don't know where.

[Narrator]

Even though Rowdy doesn't know where the possible suspects live, he. He thinks he knows someone who does. Mark's wife, Georgette.

[Rowdy Peterson]

The Wife, though, is. She's saying she doesn't. She's gonna lie. She's giving.

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

Sure.

[Rowdy Peterson]

She's gonna want to do something to these guys. She knows who goes in while she knows where they live, she knows their families.

[Andres A.J. Martinez]

Yeah.

[Rowdy Peterson]

Yeah. So at least you do the right thing.

[Detective Jason White]

I appreciate you being forthcoming with us. That's a lot of really good information for me to work with.

[Andres A.J. Martinez]

Okay.

[Narrator]

Before they finish the interview, Rowdy has one more thing to tell Detective White. Something that adds an additional heartbreaking element to this case.

[Rowdy Peterson]

Smalls and new life. They're just trying to get money to get a house. After two weeks, you get a house where they lose their kids. Your kids can be just custody or whatever. It's sad. They lost the kids because of drug sales, and they try and sell drugs to give a house so you don't lose your kids. Voices, you know, they're doing what they gotta do.

[Detective Jason White]

Just two hours in, we've got a pretty decent description.

[Narrator]

The team puts out a BOLO on the suspects, while White turns to the victim's wife. Georgette.

[Detective Jason White]

You know my heart goes out to you. I know this life changing for you and your kids. How old are your kids?

[Narrator]

She says the oldest is 15, then 10 and 11.

[Detective Jason White]

So you guys have been together a long time.

[Georgette Lake (interview responses)]

He's not the birth father of the kids, but we've been together eight and a half years.

[Detective Jason White]

Okay. I gotta be able to get these people off the streets, and that's starting with that. Okay. And then we can get you in touch with somebody to try to get you in line, to get you in a better position in your life. Does that sound like a pretty good idea?

[Narrator]

Georgette agrees to tell Detective White what she knows.

[Detective Jason White]

All right, tell me what happened.

[Georgette Lake (interview responses)]

My husband talked about our clothes being over at a friend's house.

[Narrator]

She says she and Mark, who she calls Baby, rode their bikes over to a friend's house to get their laundry. When they return to their encampment, they heard their dog barking.

[Georgette Lake (interview responses)]

He was like, someone's there. I was like, baby, there's nobody there. So he zoomed in front of me. And then I look up, and two guys come running out from the tent area, and baby's screaming. And he, like, tackles Baby off the bike, and he fell on the ground and started saying, I'm sorry, bro. No, no, but, no, please, Any point. I guess I was supposed to laugh. My grandpa looked at me, and he

[Narrator]

pointed right at me.

[Georgette Lake (interview responses)]

But nothing happened. And the guys both started running.

[Detective Jason White]

Who are these guys?

[Georgette Lake (interview responses)]

Oh, no. There's people that were walking down the street. And it always helps everybody.

[Narrator]

Georgette said she didn't know who they were. But Detective White remembers what Rowdy said. He still isn't sure if Georgette is telling him everything.

[Detective Jason White]

Listen to me. Rowdy seems to think that you're not going to be completely honest with us because he thinks that you're going to want to take care of business on your own. I think you know more than that.

[Narrator]

It's been two hours and nine minutes and Detective White is still searching for a lead. On August 29, 2020, 32 year old Mark Clifford Lake was shot dead at his encampment in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Following his death, homicide detective Jason White takes charge of the investigation. So far, he's learned from one witness, a man named Rowdy Peterson, that two men shot Mark. Rowdy knows the two men live somewhere nearby, but he's not sure where. But the witness says that Mark's wife Georgette does. Detective White sits down to talk to her, hoping that she'll tell him everything she knows.

[Detective Jason White]

Rowdy cares a lot about you and he cares a lot about your husband. He tells me that you know them pretty well. I need to know who these guys are.

[Georgette Lake (interview responses)]

I don't know who the other guy was, where he came from, who he looked like. A little miniature knockoff version of AJ I guess.

[Detective Jason White]

Where do they live?

[Georgette Lake (interview responses)]

Latterburg.

[Detective Jason White]

Okay, but you know who AJ Is, and AJ Was there, period.

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

Okay.

[Detective Jason White]

Do you know any more to his name?

[911 Dispatcher / Police Officer]

No,

[Georgette Lake (interview responses)]

he just came up from California.

[Detective Jason White]

Does he have any tattoos?

[Georgette Lake (interview responses)]

A grim reaper. Unassolded.

[Narrator]

Thankfully, Georgette provided Detective White with three pieces of valuable information. One of the Suspects is named A.J. he has a tattoo of the Grim reaper on his shoulder, and he lives off a street called Latimer Place. He passes this Information along to Sergeant Nathan Schilling.

[Sergeant Nathan Schilling]

Search our database for A.J.

[Detective Jason White]

latimer.

[Sergeant Nathan Schilling]

It'll search all our reports and field interviews and maybe we'll get lucky. Where someone mentions his nickname, This holds some promise. Andres J. Martinez. So we will find him in traces. And there we are. And he lists the address in East Latimer Place. So he just got arrested like three weeks ago and claims to be homeless.

[Narrator]

37 year old Andres J. Martinez grew up in Riverside County, California. He has no prior convictions. Based on what the investigators have Learned so far, Sergeant Schilling thinks this may be the A.J. georgette is referring to. He wants to see if she recognizes him. Sergeant Schilling brings this information to Detective White, who's still in the interrogation room with Georgette. Detective White shows her a photo of Andres Martinez.

[Detective Jason White]

Is that him?

[Georgette Lake (interview responses)]

Yes. Check his shoulder.

[Detective Jason White]

Okay, so this is the guy that's got the Grim Reaper tattoo on his

[Sergeant Nathan Schilling]

shoulder, the individual you referred to as aj.

[Narrator]

Mm.

[Georgette Lake (interview responses)]

We have literally only known him about maybe a week and a half. He's supposed to go get stuff from any store that we choose. Anything we want, he's supposed to be able to do it.

[Detective Jason White]

Was he getting dope in exchange for bringing you guys stuff?

[911 Dispatcher / Police Officer]

Yeah,

[Georgette Lake (interview responses)]

but he would never show up with the stuff. He would just show up himself. Everything's in the car. Everything's in the garage. And they ended up arguing, bickering. There's a kit ambush that Vivi took from aj. Made him walk home.

[Andres A.J. Martinez]

What?

[Detective Jason White]

What did he take?

[Georgette Lake (interview responses)]

A kit ambush? It's a bike.

[Narrator]

She says that AJ was supposed to pay Mark for drugs, that he'd been fronted. But when AJ failed to come through, Mark took his bike.

[Detective Jason White]

Is that why AJ came back? Probably pissed off.

[Georgette Lake (interview responses)]

Probably. My husband made him empty his pockets and leave his bike.

[Detective Jason White]

Does your husband have a knife?

[Georgette Lake (interview responses)]

He has a knife that slides in and out, but I think he left it at the tank. When we left. I had my knife on me.

[Detective Jason White]

What kind of knife do you have?

[Georgette Lake (interview responses)]

I have a, like, switchblade type knife. It's black and silver.

[Detective Jason White]

All right, so let's talk about the second guy. Describe him for me.

[Georgette Lake (interview responses)]

I was like, a five.

[Detective Jason White]

Did you happen to notice any tattoos on the. On that guy?

[Georgette Lake (interview responses)]

No.

[Detective Jason White]

Did you get a decent look at him?

[Georgette Lake (interview responses)]

No.

[Detective Jason White]

But you definitely got a good look at aj?

[Georgette Lake (interview responses)]

There's a gun in my face. I try to remember what they were looking like.

[Narrator]

If you didn't catch that, she said, usually if someone pulls a gun in my face, I try to remember what the f. They were looking like.

[Detective Jason White]

All right, sit tight.

[Georgette Lake (interview responses)]

Thank you.

[Narrator]

Although they still have to identify the second suspect. Detective White has enough to get a warrant for AJ's arrest, but he and Sergeant Schilling aren't sure where to find him. According to a recent incident report, AJ's address on Latimer Place is vacant.

[Sergeant Nathan Schilling]

AJ shows to be homeless in our database, so I was trying to figure out his address on Latimer. On the 10th, a call went in of a burglary at the location. The tenants moved out, so that address is probably not going to be good anymore.

[Detective Jason White]

We'll find him.

[Narrator]

Three hours in, the case takes a turn. Officer Dylan Myers was patrolling the area around the crime scene when he spotted a man fitting the description of the second suspect. AJ's unnamed friend officer Myers pulled him over to talk to him and. And he could sense something was off. He tells Detective White about their interaction and why he decided to bring the man in for questioning.

[Detective Jason White]

So how did tattoo guy come into this situation? He was like looking around really nervously, so I stopped him. He was like, man, I just came

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

from a quick trip over there on Sheridan.

[Detective Jason White]

He was super nervous.

[Narrator]

It's been 2 hours and 44 minutes. Detective White looks up the suspect. 38 year old Jason Enrique Arce, also known as Loco, is from Compton, California. He has a prior conviction for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. And he's listed as a known member of the Serenos gang, which originated in Southern California and has spread across the country.

[Detective Jason White]

Had a little contact with the Serenos in a previous case. You have the Mexican mafia. Below the Mexican mafia, you're gonna have the Serenos here in Tulsa. I know that you're gonna have a variety of different Serenos cliques or sets. For him to be certified as a gang member in the city of Tulsa, that says something right there in and of itself. He's been certified for a reason. He's got a motherload of tattoos on his face. I don't know specifically if there's any significance to those tattoos. It's impressive. It's kind of scary. We don't run across hardcore people like him.

[Narrator]

Detective White shows Mark's friend Rowdy a photo of Jason Loco Arce to see if Rowdy recognizes him. He shares the result of that conversation with Sergeant Schilling and another police officer.

[Detective Jason White]

I'm thinking tattoo is not going to be, you know, nothing. So I take it into Rowdy. I'm like, hey, dude, do you know this guy? The moment I show him a picture, I mean, that's him. But he didn't say nothing about any tattoos on this guy's face.

[911 Dispatcher / Police Officer]

No.

[Detective Jason White]

This guy's got freaking tattoos all over the place.

[Narrator]

It's been 2 hours and 54 minutes. Detective White decides to show Georgette a photo of Jason Enrique Arce as well.

[Detective Jason White]

I want to see what her reaction's gonna be when I show her the photo of this guy. You know, that guy.

[Narrator]

White shows the victim's wife a photo of Jason Arce.

[Detective Jason White]

Are you sure?

[Georgette Lake (interview responses)]

He kind of looks almost like the guy. The same way his horse cut. I don't know his face. I mean, everything else about him seems familiar. It makes sense why I can see how dark his hair was, the blade.

[Narrator]

Now Georgette says it makes sense why she couldn't see him, clearly. With how dark it was out there, Detective White decides he needs to talk to Arce himself. From his dealings with other gang members, he knows the way to get respect is to give respect. And then, hopefully, Arce will tell Detective White and Sergeant Schilling the truth.

[Detective Jason White]

All right, well, first of all, I'm Detective White. This is Sergeant Schilling over here. He from California?

[Rowdy Peterson]

Yes.

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

Where at? I was born. He's still there.

[Detective Jason White]

He had some serious tattoo work, man. Serious. Here's what I want to talk to you about. So you were over there at the Quick trip, is that right?

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

I always just happened to be out there because my girl was picking up. I don't know if it was her cousin or her friend or something.

[Narrator]

He says he rode with his girlfriend to the gas station earlier that night.

[Detective Jason White]

What kind of car was it?

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

BMW. Driver and I was drunk and me started arguing. I took her out by the trash can.

[Narrator]

He says after they got in a fight, he stormed out of the car, and she drove off.

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

There's, like, a field all right there. Like grass and stuff and brush. Waiting for his hour.

[Detective Jason White]

Okay.

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

Then I came back out and I called her up. I was back and forth. I was waiting for her. She didn't come back.

[Detective Jason White]

So did you see anybody or see anything go on? While you were in that field, like a bunch of homeless people, did you hear any gunshots?

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

Gunshots?

[Detective Jason White]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

He shakes his head no.

[Detective Jason White]

You didn't hear anything like that?

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

Not when I was there, I didn't.

[Georgette Lake (interview responses)]

Gunshot.

[Detective Jason White]

Well, there's a. We had a situation where there was a. There was kind of an incident that happened with a homeless person. Not saying you were involved in that in any way, shape or form.

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

Okay.

[Detective Jason White]

Did you happen to meet up with a friend of yours that was a male, like a. Like a homeboy or anything like that over there earlier?

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

Not there, though.

[Detective Jason White]

Okay. Who would that. Who would that be? I call him J.R. how about A.J.

[Narrator]

detective White shows Arce a photo of Andres A.J. martinez. Arce doesn't show any emotion either way.

[Detective Jason White]

Like that guy. You know him?

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

Nah.

[Detective Jason White]

You don't know him?

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

No. No.

[Detective Jason White]

Have you fired a gun today again?

[Narrator]

RSA shakes his head no.

[Detective Jason White]

Perfect. I've got a test that I want to basically rub your hands to tell me whether or not you fired a gun. Is that cool?

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

And what are you saying, it was shooting or something? Because you're asking about gunshots.

[Detective Jason White]

Yeah. Yeah, there was a shooting.

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

Yeah.

[Detective Jason White]

When you said you ran into some homeless people back in the back. How far back?

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

Right there. Right where that parking lot is no feeling.

[Detective Jason White]

Did you go down the trail at all?

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

No, it was dark. It was dark.

[Narrator]

Arce says not far, just by the parking lot. He didn't go down the trail to the encampment. It was too dark. And he agrees to take the gunpowder residue test. It will take some time for the results to come back.

[Detective Jason White]

Let me see your hand right quick.

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

So that's what this is all about?

[Detective Jason White]

Yeah. So if you don't got nothing to do with it, you got nothing to worry about.

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

Somebody got hurt or something?

[Detective Jason White]

Unfortunately, yeah. What's your girlfriend's phone number?

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

It's on my phone.

[Detective Jason White]

Okay. What's her name?

[Narrator]

Arce tells Detective White and Sergeant Schilling her name, which we aren't disclosing, but he doesn't want them to call her.

[Detective Jason White]

We're going to call your girl. We're going to verify that with her. We'll look at your phone. You've given me your gunshot residue test. That's pretty helpful.

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

I mean, I really don't think you calling her is going to solve this.

[Detective Jason White]

I think it's going to help us out big time.

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

Feel like harassing her? Like, at which time you said it was 12 or whatever. Me and her already been arguing and calling her up and bugging her or whatever, or just harassing her over that type of shit.

[Detective Jason White]

We just need to call her just to verify your story. Sit tight.

[Narrator]

As they exit the interrogation room, Detective White says he has a feeling that Arce is involved. And if he can't find the answer soon, time could be running out. It's been 3 hours and 39 minutes. Detective Jason White is making progress in Mark Lake's murder case. He has one of the two suspects in custody, a man named Jason Enrique Arce. But he also needs to find Arce's suspected accomplice, Andres A.J. martinez. Sergeant Nathan Schilling agrees, but Arce isn't telling them what they need to know. So Sergeant Schilling calls Arce's girlfriend to try and learn more. Detective White listens in on the call, along with Lieutenant Brandon Watkins.

[911 Dispatcher / Police Officer]

What is he being pushing for, if you don't mind me asking?

[Sergeant Nathan Schilling]

There was a incident that happened over there behind the Quick Trip.

[911 Dispatcher / Police Officer]

Please don't tell me he's in trouble because he didn't do nothing. Honestly. But I've unknown if he went to go take a walk because we got into that Quick trip and that's it.

[Sergeant Nathan Schilling]

Was there anyone else with him?

[911 Dispatcher / Police Officer]

He had a friend with him, but I don't know his friend. I Don't get along with his friend. Me and his friend don't get along for.

[Sergeant Nathan Schilling]

Who's his friend?

[911 Dispatcher / Police Officer]

I don't know his name. I just know it's not a Mexican fool.

[Sergeant Nathan Schilling]

How long was he in the car with you guys?

[911 Dispatcher / Police Officer]

He don't understand the car with me. Whenever we got into it, he freaking out with Jason.

[Sergeant Nathan Schilling]

You know that you can get in trouble if you lie to the police to hinder an investigation, correct?

[911 Dispatcher / Police Officer]

Yes, I understand that, and I'm not lying to you. Me and his friend don't get along.

[Sergeant Nathan Schilling]

Did he tell you anything about what happened while you were gone?

[911 Dispatcher / Police Officer]

I don't even know what the is going on, honestly. And that's the honest, bizarre truth.

[Sergeant Nathan Schilling]

Someone was shot tonight, and if you're lying for him. What's his friend's nickname? Come on, don't.

[911 Dispatcher / Police Officer]

Don't be.

[Sergeant Nathan Schilling]

Don't play dumb.

[911 Dispatcher / Police Officer]

Honestly, I don't like his friend. I don't even like him being around that. I knew the stupid shit was gonna happen. I feel his friend is a about them, but I didn't know they were going to do something.

[Sergeant Nathan Schilling]

So they weren't talking about being mad or looking for somebody?

[911 Dispatcher / Police Officer]

No, sir. I didn't know.

[Sergeant Nathan Schilling]

All right. Bye.

[911 Dispatcher / Police Officer]

Bye.

[Detective Jason White]

She's saying just enough to make it sound like she's telling the truth. And she said the word honestly 14 times. She's lying.

[Narrator]

Detective White and Sergeant Schilling agree with Lieutenant Watkins.

[Detective Jason White]

He's involved, isn't he?

[Sergeant Nathan Schilling]

Yeah, he's number two. Okay, I figured he was Tim and aj.

[Detective Jason White]

She told us that.

[Sergeant Nathan Schilling]

No, no, but she does say his friend's in the car. A male friend that she doesn't like. That's nothing. But trouble is in the car with him. They get out and they walk away. And then she leaves.

[Narrator]

Four hours after Mark's murder, surveillance video from the gas station comes in. Detective White and Sergeant Schilling take a look at it. The video shows a white BMW pulling into a parking spot, the same car the suspect, Jason Arce described. A moment later, a large man in dark clothes matching AJ's description gets out of the back seat. After that, Jason Arce gets out of the front passenger seat and follows him. Detective White spots something else in the video. A contradiction from what he's been told. Both Arce and his girlfriend said they were fighting. But in the video, Detective White sees something that brings that into question.

[Detective Jason White]

Hang on. Go back a little bit. Right, see, right there? They just kiss.

[Sergeant Nathan Schilling]

That's a little contrary to what he was telling you.

[Detective Jason White]

So he said that they Had a big fight, but then they just kiss in the car. And he's getting out of the car. 8, 45.

[Sergeant Nathan Schilling]

So 18 minutes before the 911 call.

[Detective Jason White]

Yeah. He claims that he just went right over into the field and that was it. And then he left. Okay, so let's look at the south view of that.

[Sergeant Nathan Schilling]

Like 903.

[Detective Jason White]

Yeah, probably. The 911 call initially comes in at 9:02.

[Narrator]

They check the footage from just a minute or two after the shooting. Two men come running into the frame. They're in the distance, but it looks like Jason Arce and his friend, the man they believe is AJ Martinez.

[Detective Jason White]

That's going to be them. That's going to be aj. So they're together. That's. That's huge. Huge video. I guess we could see if AJ's phone number's in his phone.

[Narrator]

Using a phone number they have for AJ from a prior report, Sergeant Schilling searches Jason Arce's contacts.

[Sergeant Nathan Schilling]

He confirms AJ's number is in RC's phone.

[Detective Jason White]

All right, that's good. That's good.

[Sergeant Nathan Schilling]

And I was looking at his location data, and it puts him at AJ's house on Latimer. So he was back at the house doing something after he no longer lives there.

[Detective Jason White]

That's good. Now we're cooking.

[Narrator]

It feels like they're on the verge of cracking this case. So they return to the interrogation room and confront Jason Arcene.

[Detective Jason White]

You didn't tell us that there was a guy in the car with you. You said it was a chick, man. Yeah, yeah. You were in there with a guy that goes by AJ.

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

I don't know. AJ.

[Detective Jason White]

You've got AJ's number in your phone, man. You were lying to me about being with this guy, and it's causing you some problems. You've got three people. Aj, AJ and ajj.

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

I mean, if you call, it's gonna be all women answering phone.

[Detective Jason White]

Well, maybe, but. But it's the same number that we have for AJ. Andreas Martinez.

[Narrator]

It's been five hours and 49 minutes.

[Detective Jason White]

And then the other problem is the fact that I've got you on video running from that field with the other dude. The information that we've got from the witnesses that were up there at the scene with. That you were with this other guy was that you both were shooting.

[Andres A.J. Martinez]

Okay?

[Detective Jason White]

That's what we were told. Wasn't charged murder.

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

Are you serious, man?

[Detective Jason White]

Yeah, I'm dead serious. These guys are gonna take your clothes.

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

You think it's a homicide?

[Detective Jason White]

It is a homicide. The guy did die so we're gonna talk to A.J. you know, we're gonna find him, and we'll talk to him as well. Best of luck.

[Andres A.J. Martinez]

Okay?

[Detective Jason White]

We're gonna book J. These are two violent individuals, so it's gonna be nice to be able to get these people off the street for this victim's wife. In large part, this is because of that alert police officer, Officer Meyers noticing this guy walking down the street. And sure enough, you know, he's one of the two suspects.

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

So I'm probably gonna be on first 48, huh?

[Detective Jason White]

Yeah. The next thing is we're gonna be looking for AJ who is gonna be Andres Mo Martinez. My hope is that we're going to be able to locate him relatively quickly.

[Narrator]

They decide to arrest Arce for killing Mark Lake and the search for his accomplice. AJ Is on patrol. Officers scan the neighborhood for AJ and the area around his old address on latimer place. Just 13 hours in, AJ is brought down to Homicide. Detective White is running on fumes. He talks to the officer who brought AJ In.

[Detective Jason White]

All right, tell me what happened.

[Narrator]

This morning, we drove by Glamour Place.

[Detective Jason White]

He was asleep in a chair outside the house. Okay. If he's a man of character, then he's gonna step up for his buddy, and he's gonna tell me what really was going on.

[Narrator]

This is the final piece of the puzzle, the key to closing the book on Mark Lake's murder. Detective White conducts the interrogation with Lieutenant Brandon Watkins.

[Detective Jason White]

All right, buddy. My name's Jason White. This is Lieutenant Watkins over here next to us, and I'm one of the detectives that's up here.

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

Okay.

[Detective Jason White]

Where were you last night?

[Andres A.J. Martinez]

I've been out all night.

[Detective Jason White]

Do you know a guy that has a street name of Loco?

[Andres A.J. Martinez]

I heard about him.

[Narrator]

Detective White shows AJ Pictures of Jason, Arce and Jason's girlfriend. AJ doesn't betray much emotion.

[Andres A.J. Martinez]

Okay.

[Detective Jason White]

Would it be that guy?

[Andres A.J. Martinez]

Yeah.

[Detective Jason White]

Have you ever seen that girl before?

[Andres A.J. Martinez]

Long, long time?

[Detective Jason White]

Did she happen to give you a ride with her boyfriend? Dropped you off over the QuikTrip, which has cameras everywhere?

[Andres A.J. Martinez]

She had another girl with her.

[Narrator]

He says she had another girl with her.

[Detective Jason White]

Well, here's the problem with that, because we've already talked to her, and she's told us that both you and him were together in the car, and then the two of you guys got out.

[Andres A.J. Martinez]

I was there with her in the car. I walked home. That's it. So I just walked home.

[Narrator]

He claims he was there with her in the car. Then he walked home. That's it. All he did Was walk home.

[Detective Jason White]

There's a guy by the name of Mark Lake. Him and his wife, they live in a tent along the trail from. Along that. Quick trip.

[Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)]

All right.

[Andres A.J. Martinez]

No, I was there on the trail.

[Narrator]

Confirmation. He walks down that trail.

[Detective Jason White]

I know. So you know the trail? Yes.

[Narrator]

He knows there are unhoused people who stay there, and he says hi to them.

[Detective Jason White]

Well, Mark is dead.

[Andres A.J. Martinez]

I know what to do with this situation.

[Narrator]

AJ Says he had nothing to do with this situation. Situation.

[Detective Jason White]

Were you around somebody that fired a gun? But that's you, and that's loco.

[Narrator]

Yeah, he was running.

[Andres A.J. Martinez]

Okay.

[Detective Jason White]

This is called a gunshot residue test. It allows me to basically scrub your hands. Does that sound agreeable to you?

[Narrator]

AJ Says he doesn't mind because he didn't shoot. Shoot anyone.

[Detective Jason White]

Well, I've got two witnesses that watched you do it.

[Narrator]

Detective White is close to finishing this interrogation, and then he can make his final arrest. It's been 13 hours and 44 minutes. Detective Jason White has already arrested one suspect, Jason Enrique Arce, for the death of Mark Lake. Now he's focusing on the second suspect, Andres AJ Martinez.

[Andres A.J. Martinez]

How would I do that?

[Narrator]

AJ Says he didn't kill somebody. How would he do that?

[Detective Jason White]

You pulled out a gun and you shot.

[Andres A.J. Martinez]

I don't have any of them.

[Detective Jason White]

Do you have any tattoos?

[Andres A.J. Martinez]

Yeah.

[Detective Jason White]

Is one of them a grim reaper on the side of your shoulder?

[Andres A.J. Martinez]

Yes.

[Detective Jason White]

Let me see it, if you don't mind.

[Narrator]

AJ Shows him. It's just like Georgette described. AJ Tells him he saw Mark riding a bicycle on the trail at some point before the shooting. He says they bumped into each other, but that's it. However, as Mark's wife, Georgette, already told Detective White, it went well beyond that.

[Detective Jason White]

So, essentially, there was a situation that happened over there a few days ago where they accused you of stealing or something, or some weed. Ring a bell?

[Andres A.J. Martinez]

Yeah, he told me that when I was walking by. Talking about.

[Detective Jason White]

He accused you of being a thief, he took your bike, he made you empty your pockets, and he sent you home. Like, get out of here.

[Andres A.J. Martinez]

I was worried about. I know I didn't do what's wrong.

[Narrator]

A.J. says he wasn't even worried about it. He's not worried because he knows he didn't do anything wrong.

[Detective Jason White]

Essentially, that's kind of. That falls in the category for me, that he was being disrespectful to you.

[Andres A.J. Martinez]

I don't know why we're going to kill this guy. For a bike?

[Detective Jason White]

Yeah.

[Andres A.J. Martinez]

There's no sense in that. I don't have no guns at all. I don't. That's not what I do. I don't kill people.

[Narrator]

Detective White isn't buying it. He officially places A.J. under arrest.

[Detective Jason White]

Okay, Loco got charged with murder, so you're going to get the same thing.

[Andres A.J. Martinez]

Why are you charged with murder?

[Detective Jason White]

For me, the only people that were close to Mark when the gun went off was you and Loco.

[Andres A.J. Martinez]

Yeah, but I did not do anything. That's what I'm telling you.

[Detective Jason White]

If you didn't do it, then who does that leave?

[Andres A.J. Martinez]

You know, the person is.

[Detective Jason White]

Which is who?

[Andres A.J. Martinez]

I don't know. I can't.

[Narrator]

Lieutenant Watkins presses him further on it.

[Detective Jason White]

You've got one opportunity to tell the truth, and you're just pissing that away. Are you scared of Loco? He's a Serenius from East Los Angeles. Are you scared of the man?

[Andres A.J. Martinez]

No.

[Narrator]

The interrogation is over for now. Detective White performs the same gunshot residue test he did on Jason Arce. Now they just have to wait for the results. He shares his thoughts on how the investigation has unfolded so far.

[Detective Jason White]

What I love about this interview that we did is he corroborates basically everything that the victim's wife had talked about. Everything up until the part where this happens, which tells me she's telling the truth. She watches this go down, so I don't see that she would have a motivation to basically make up that he did this. He's there in their world. I think he felt like he got disrespected, and so he probably was telling. Telling his buddy about it. And his buddy, you know, being the Serenius gang member that he is, he's like, man, you're going to have to do something about it and prove yourself.

[Narrator]

It's been 14 hours and 14 minutes and this case is closed. The gunshot residue tests came back positive for both men. In the face of all the evidence, Andres AJ Martinez pleaded guilty to first degree manslaughter and was sentenced to 40 years in prison. Jason Arce fought the charges and was convicted of first degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison. When it was all said and done, Detective White reflected on the tricky nature of, of this case.

[Detective Jason White]

You know, this was a challenging case straight out of the gate, just because you're dealing with the homeless population, for starters. Sometimes they're afraid. They're afraid to talk. For her to have the courage to step up. I'm extremely proud of her, and I think that she did the right thing for her husband on his behalf.

[Narrator]

Not only did Georgette play a crucial role in solving her husband's murder, she managed to turn her life around after experiencing this horrific tragedy. It's a testament to her resilience and strength and a powerful way to honor Mark's memory. About a year later, she talked about her journey following her husband's death.

[Georgette Lake]

About a week after he had passed, my mom, she was like, well, you can come stay and you know, whatever you need. And I didn't want to do it. I don't like accepting help from people. But then my son called me on the phone and he's like, mom, you need to go stay with Mimi. I was like, well, that's just Smalls right there telling me to hurry up and get into a place. So I've stayed over here last five, six months. There's three kids all together and the two youngest were taken away. They're just all the way in Missouri. My oldest, she's the one that has seen, you know, our life. She actually come up to me just the other day and she was like, you know, Mom, Smalls is the only actual father figure I've ever had. It's been different. I've actually gotten out and started working. I'm still trying to readjust to living indoors or living with other people or having to adjust back to being just respectful, normal person, you know, because with Mark, it was living in each other's moment rather than the world. I see his face all the time. I know that Mark didn't like me being out there at all. All he ever wanted was the best for me. So I'm trying little steps at a.

[Narrator]

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the First 48. Join us next week for another high stakes homicide investigation and the crucial early hours that define it. To learn about how you can help the families of homicide victims, go to www.aetv.com 48resources.

[Marissa]

Thanks for listening to this episode of the First 48. To hear more, follow the First 48 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to podcasts. There's also a link to the show in this episode's description. New episodes are out every Thursday.

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