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Narrator
I'm Carter Roy and I am excited to tell you that Crime House and A and E are teaming up for the official podcast version of the famous true crime series the First 48. Each week, I'll 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. I've got an episode of the show for you to listen to now. 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. This his 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 AE 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 gallery. 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. The best dancers from across the globe are about to join me for the audition of a lifetime.
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Detective Jason White
Nothing is going about me.
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Detective Jason White
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Narrator
The next era of ballroom starts right here on Dancing with the Stars.
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Narrator
9:15pm on August 29, 2020, a 911 dispatcher in Tulsa, Oklahoma, receives a call.
911 Dispatcher / Witness
911 Jeannie. Police. Fire. Medical. Police. Directly behind me, I heard the 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 / Witness
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 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. They got officers working on that right now. 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. All right. 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 pilfer and people still have 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 she wrestling in by the scent. I thought it was the dogs and can't come out of nowhere with guns.
Narrator
He says two men approached Mark's tent.
Rowdy Peterson
They both had guns. He 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 now he'd be back 20 minutes.
911 Dispatcher / Witness
Who knew?
Detective Jason White
What they asking for?
Narrator
For Smalls, if you recall. Smalls was Mark Lake's nickname.
Rowdy Peterson
Small cells, Dope out there in the woods, and they knew it. Now, 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 gunshots. I took off running.
Detective Jason White
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 planning on killing him and they might have to kill his 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 that pointed the guns in shooting and Smalls got shot. Did you see or hear from the Smalls?
Rowdy Peterson
I heard. He's like, what the you doing out here? Shot him twice. I jumped up. I took off running. Minutes. I was scared. I thought they were going to kill me. I heard just pop, pop, pop. I heard about five shots. I came close to them, shot the weapons.
Detective Jason White
Can you describe them for me? One at a time.
Rowdy Peterson
He's Hispanic. He was wearing the tank top and blue rag on his face.
Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)
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 skin. 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
Yep, they live in that neighborhood. I don't know where.
Narrator
Even though Rowdy doesn't know where the possible suspects live, 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 going to lie. She's giving shit. She's going to want to do something to these guys. She knows who both of them are. She knows where they live. She knows their families. 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. 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 who lives? They're the guy to get money to get a house. After two weeks, you get a house where they lose their kids, got kids and DHS 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 they don't lose their kids, which is, you know, they're doing what they gotta do.
Narrator
Just two hours in and we've got
Detective Jason White
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 (interrogation)
He's not the birth father of the King, but I Got the other 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 (interrogation)
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 returned to their encampment, they heard their dog barking.
Georgette Lake (interrogation)
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 TED area and Baby screaming. And he tackles Baby off the bike. And he fell on the ground and started saying, I'm sorry, bro. No, no, no, please, Any point. I guess I was supposed to laugh. My grandpa looked at me and he pointed right at me. But doesn't happen. And the guy both started running.
Detective Jason White
Who are these guys?
Georgette Lake (interrogation)
Oh, no, they're just people that were walking down the street. Always helped 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 gonna be completely honest with us because he thinks that you're gonna wanna 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.
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Georgette Lake (interrogation)
Bonjour. Bonjour.
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Georgette Lake (interrogation)
Phew.
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Detective Jason White
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Narrator
On August 29, 2020, 32 year old Mark Clifford Lake was shot dead at his encampment in Tul, 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 lives 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 (interrogation)
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 (interrogation)
Uh, 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 / Witness
No.
Georgette Lake (interrogation)
He just came home from California.
Detective Jason White
Does he have any tattoos?
Georgette Lake (interrogation)
A Grim reaper on his shoulder.
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. latimer. 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 (interrogation)
Yes. Check his shoulder.
Detective Jason White
Okay, so this is the guy that's got the Grim Reaper tattoo on his shoulder.
Sergeant Nathan Schilling
The individual you referred to ate as aj.
Georgette Lake (interrogation)
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?
Georgette Lake (interrogation)
Yeah, 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.
Detective Jason White
What did he take?
Georgette Lake (interrogation)
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.
911 Dispatcher / Witness
Probably.
Georgette Lake (interrogation)
My husband made him empty his pockets and leave his bike.
Detective Jason White
Does your husband have a knife?
Georgette Lake (interrogation)
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.
Detective Jason White
What kind of knife do you have?
Georgette Lake (interrogation)
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.
Georgette Lake (interrogation)
Describe him for me as like, a high five. He can't talk.
Detective Jason White
Did you happen to notice any tattoos on the. On that guy?
Georgette Lake (interrogation)
No.
Detective Jason White
Did you get a decent look at him?
Georgette Lake (interrogation)
No.
Detective Jason White
But you definitely got a good look at aj?
Georgette Lake (interrogation)
There's something pulled 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 (interrogation)
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 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?
Sergeant Nathan Schilling
He was like looking around really nervously,
Detective Jason White
so I stopped him.
Sergeant Nathan Schilling
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
Country had a little contact with the Serenos in a previous case. You have the Mexican mafia. Below the Mexican mafia, you're going to have the Serenos here in Tulsa. I know that you're going to 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, you, 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 / Witness
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 is going to 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.
Christy from Lululemon
No.
Detective Jason White
Are you sure?
Georgette Lake (interrogation)
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 looking.
Narrator
Georgette says it sense 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. You from California?
Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)
Yes.
Detective Jason White
We're at.
Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)
I was born in la. East la.
Detective Jason White
You 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)
White BMW. And I was drunk, and Mary 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 went towards that one.
Detective Jason White
Okay.
Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)
Then I came back out and I called her up out back for. I was waiting for her. She can come back. We were arguing.
Detective Jason White
So did you see anybody or see anything go on. While you were in that field, Got
Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)
a bunch of homeless people.
Detective Jason White
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 hear.
Detective Jason White
Well, there's a. We had a situation where there was. 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?
Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)
I'll call him Junior.
Detective Jason White
How about aj?
Narrator
Detective White shows Arce a photo of Andres AJ Martinez. Arce doesn't show 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?
Narrator
Again, Arce 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. Yeah. 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 of Northwood.
Detective Jason White
Did you go down the trail at all?
Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)
No, it was dark. Hell, and now I was gonna go down the trail. 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 gonna call your girl. We're gonna 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 gonna solve this.
Detective Jason White
I think it's gonna 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.
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Detective Jason White
Did you know Sam's Club isn't a store? It's actually a club with cool finds. And like, a whole community. It's a club.
Christy from Lululemon
Of course, Jason.
Georgette Lake (interrogation)
It's in the name.
Commercial Voice
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Narrator
Oh, yeah.
Detective Jason White
Come join us. Sam's Club.
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Narrator
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 / Witness
What is he being wishing for? You know Randy Atkins.
Sergeant Nathan Schilling
There was a incident that happened over there behind the quick trip.
911 Dispatcher / Witness
Please don't tell me he's in trouble because he didn't do nothing. Honestly. But I know he wasn't gonna take a while. Cuz we got into that quick trip and I did.
Sergeant Nathan Schilling
Was there anyone else with him?
911 Dispatcher / Witness
He had a friend with him, but I don't know his family. I don't get along with his family friend. Me and his friend don't get along for.
Sergeant Nathan Schilling
Who's his friend?
911 Dispatcher / Witness
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 / Witness
He don't understand the car with me. Whenever we got into it, he freaking l 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 / Witness
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 / Witness
I don't even know what the is going on. Honestly. And that's the honest truth.
Sergeant Nathan Schilling
Someone was shot tonight. And if you're lying for him.
911 Dispatcher / Witness
I'm not lying for him.
Sergeant Nathan Schilling
Nest d. What's his friend's nickname?
Pandora Jewelry Commercial
Come on.
911 Dispatcher / Witness
Don't. Don't be.
Sergeant Nathan Schilling
Don't play dumb.
911 Dispatcher / Witness
Look at his phone. For his friend. I don't like his friend. I don't even like him being in Robin. I knew all the stupid was gonna happen. I knew his friend is about him, but I didn't know they were gonna do something
Sergeant Nathan Schilling
so they weren't Talking about being mad or looking for somebody?
911 Dispatcher / Witness
No, sir. I didn't know.
Sergeant Nathan Schilling
All right, but.
Detective Jason White
But 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. Real quick. See right there? That is 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 9:03.
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 gonna be them. That's gonna be aj. So they're together. That's huge. Huge video. I guess we could see if AJ's phone number is 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 hour 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)
Oh, no. 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 met three people. Aj, aj and ajj. I mean, Chicago.
Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)
It's gonna be all the women asking.
Detective Jason White
Well, maybe, but. But it's the same number that we have for AJ. Andres Martinez.
Narrator
It's been 5 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. Okay? 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 aj. You know, we're gonna find him, and we'll talk to him as well. Best of luck. Okay? We're gonna book Jason rc These are two violent individuals, so it's gonna be nice to be able to get these people off the street for. For this victim's wife. In large part, this is because of that alert police officer, Officer Myers, 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 Martinez. My hope is that we're gonna 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 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 going to step up for his buddy, and he's going to. He's going to 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? I've been out all night. Do you know a guy that has a street name of Loco?
Rowdy Peterson
I heard about him.
Narrator
Detective White shows AJ Pictures of Jason Arce and Jason's girlfriend. AJ doesn't betray much emotion.
Detective Jason White
Okay. Would it be that guy? Have you ever seen that girl before? Long, long time. Did she happen to give you a ride with her boyfriend? Dropped you off over the quick trip, which has cameras everywhere? 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. I was in with her, and
911 Dispatcher / Witness
I walked home.
Georgette Lake (interrogation)
That's it.
Rowdy Peterson
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.
Narrator
All right, 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. I know what to do with this situation.
Narrator
AJ Says he had nothing to do with this situation.
Detective Jason White
Were you around somebody that fired again? But that's you, and that's Loco.
Narrator
Yeah, he was running.
Detective Jason White
Okay. 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 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.
Detective Jason White
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. I don't have any gun. Do you have any tattoos?
Narrator
Yeah, I have tattoos.
Detective Jason White
Is one of them a grim reaper on the side of your shoulder?
Commercial Voice
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 something or some weed. Ring a bell?
Rowdy Peterson
He told me that when I was
Detective Jason White
walking by, but I don't know who he's talking about. 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. I was worried about you because I know I didn't do this 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. It falls in the category for me that he was being disrespectful to you.
911 Dispatcher / Witness
I don't know.
Detective Jason White
Why would I kill this guy for a bike? Yeah, there's no sense in that. I don't have no guns at all.
Sergeant Nathan Schilling
I don't.
Detective Jason White
That's not what I do.
911 Dispatcher / Witness
I don't kill people.
Narrator
Detective White isn't buying it. He officially places AJ under arrest.
Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)
Okay.
Detective Jason White
Loco got charged with murder, so you're gonna get the same thing. Oh, no. You charged with murder for the only people that were close to Mark when the gun went off was you and Loco. Yeah, but I did not do anything. That's what I'm telling you. If you didn't do it, then who does that leave? The person. Which is who?
Ryan Reynolds (Mint Mobile Ad)
I don't know.
Georgette Lake (interrogation)
I can't.
Narrator
Lieutenant Watkins presses him further on it.
Detective Jason White
You got one opportunity to tell the truth, and you're just pissing that away. Are you scared of Loco? He's a Sirenius from East Los Angeles. Are you scared of the man?
911 Dispatcher / Witness
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 since.
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 strenuous gang member that he is, he's like, man, you're gonna 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 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 Small's 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 came 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 it's 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. 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.
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Date: July 16, 2026
Episode Theme:
A gripping, behind-the-scenes look at a real-life homicide investigation, as told in the podcast adaptation of the acclaimed true crime series, The First 48. This episode highlights the high-pressure first 48 hours after the murder of Mark Lake ("Smalls"), an unhoused man living with his wife Georgette in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Through witness accounts, detective work, and real interrogations, the story explores the complexities of justice, survival, and resilience within vulnerable communities.
This episode departs from the usual reflective format of Mantra to introduce listeners to the official podcast version of The First 48—a true crime narrative that documents the crucial early hours of homicide investigations. Through authentic audio, the audience is immersed in the race against time to solve the murder of Mark Lake, an unhoused man in Tulsa, capturing the stakes, setbacks, breakthroughs, and humanity involved.
- Mark and Georgette asked Rowdy to watch their camp; he heard commotion, saw two armed men, and fled when shots were fired ([08:03]-[08:43]).
- Motive suggested: attempted robbery related to Mark's drug sales in the camp.
- The attackers reportedly considered killing both Mark and his wife ([09:13]).
- At first evasive about her knowledge, but with Detective White’s persistence, she reveals vital details:
- Identifies one suspect as “A.J.” with a grim reaper tattoo ([16:53]-[17:11]).
- Provides sketches of their relationships and the preceding conflict (a dispute over a bike and unpaid drugs).
- Initially denies involvement, offers a conflicting alibi involving his girlfriend and a white BMW ([25:10]-[27:04]).
- Forensic gunshot residue test and surveillance footage contradict his story:
- “[Video] shows a white BMW pulling into a parking spot … then … a large man in dark clothes matching AJ's description gets out … 18 minutes before the 911 call.” — *[34:41]-[34:58]*
- Cell phone evidence places the suspects together.
- Arrested approx. 13 hours into the investigation, provides evasive answers.
- Confirms presence near trail and acquaintance with some parties but denies involvement ([39:08]-[43:24]).
- Forensic test confirms involvement (positive for gunshot residue).
| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:18 | Georgette describes life with Mark in Tulsa's field | | 04:31 | 911 call and scene discovery | | 07:14 | Detective White begins formal interviews | | 08:03 | Rowdy Peterson details what he witnessed | | 12:30 | Georgette's initial reluctance and eventual cooperation | | 16:53 | Georgette identifies AJ, describes suspect and key evidence is gathered | | 17:36 | Detectives discover AJ's identity (Andres Martinez) | | 18:58 | Photo lineup—Georgette confirms AJ’s identity | | 22:32 | Jason Arce (“Loco”) identified and interrogated | | 34:41 | Surveillance video reveals truth and inconsistencies in alibis | | 39:08 | AJ Martinez’s interrogation—denial, then evidence mounts | | 45:00 | Both suspects charged, sentences revealed | | 46:22 | Georgette narrates her life after Mark’s death—grief, parenting, growth |
The narrative blends urgency—illustrated by the ticking "48-hour clock"—and empathy, particularly in the sensitive handling of unhoused witnesses/survivors. Detectives are portrayed as persistent but respectful, especially in interviews with vulnerable individuals. The voices of Georgette and Rowdy underscore both hardship and dignity.
This special podcast episode offers a profound exploration at the intersection of violence, poverty, and determination, told through the investigative process following the murder of Mark “Smalls” Lake. The story is a testament to the importance of the first 48 hours in homicide investigations and highlights how community, empathy, and meticulous detective work can ultimately bring justice—even in society’s most marginalized corners. Georgette Lake’s journey after trauma acts as a subtle but powerful mantra of resilience and hope, aligning with the spirit of the Mantra podcast.
For more information or to support families of homicide victims, visit www.aetv.com/48resources.