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Carter Roy
Hi listeners, it's Carter. Before today's episode of Murder True Crime Stories, I want to tell you about another podcast I am hosting I know you'll love. Crime House and AE are teaming up on the podcast version of the famous true crime series the First 48. Each week I'll take you inside a landmark homicide case. The interrogations, the dead ends, and the breakthroughs in the critical first 40.
Detective Jason White
48 hours.
Carter Roy
Listen to and follow the first 48 every Thursday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Hi listeners, it's Carter. I have something exciting to share with you today. Crime House and A and E are teaming up for the official podcast version of the famous true crime series the first 48A and I am hosting it. 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 is also a link to the show in this episode's description. 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.
Carter Roy
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.
Carter Roy
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 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. If you've ever tried to find a psychiatrist, you know how frustrating it is to hear that there's a six month waiting list or that they don't take your insurance. It can make managing your mental health feel completely overwhelming, but Talk Iatry is changing that. Talk Iatry is a full service virtual psychiatry practice that helps you skip the long wait times and get real medical care in just a few days. Unlike regular talk therapy, talkiatry focuses on specialized psychiatric care. Their licensed clinicians take the time to truly understand your needs, offering professional diagnoses and ongoing medication management for conditions like adhd, anxiety, depression and more. You get a personalized treatment plan and see the same provider every time so you can actually measure your progress. Plus, Tochiatry accepts major insurers making expert clinical care accessible and affordable. Head to toky.commtcs to complete the short assessment and get matched with an IN network psychiatrist in just a few minutes. That's T A L K I a t r y.com MTCs Summer always makes
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Carter Roy
At 9:15pm on August 29, 2020, a 911 dispatcher in Tulsa, Oklahoma receives a call.
911 Dispatcher / Callers
911 Jeannie Please 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. We'll get officers out there.
Carter Roy
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 / Callers
Hey.
Carter Roy
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 Law 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 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 asked 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. We got officers in there working on that right now. All right, well, I definitely want that footage. I'm going to start Going downtown and start interviewing these people.
Carter Roy
It's been one hour. In 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
In trees.
Detective Jason White
Where you kind of stand up there. Where in the that field. Just tell me what happened.
Rowdy Peterson
Earlier they asked me if I could save up for 20 minutes and wash your dog because there's haven't been getting Filford and people are still.
Carter Roy
According to Rowdy, Mark and Georgette had asked him to keep an eye on their things while they went on an errand. Everything was quiet until it wasn't.
Rowdy Peterson
I heard she wrestling in bright bottomlessly dogs and can't come out of nowhere with gun.
Carter Roy
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 going to come back soon, who's he got with him? Where'd he go? How'd you know? He went to a friend's house in the neighborhood and now he'll be back 20 minutes.
Detective Jason White
Who were they asking for?
Carter Roy
For Smalls, if you recall. Smalls was Mark Lake's nickname.
Rowdy Peterson
Small sells dope out there in the woods and they knew it. And yeah, I think they came to rob the guy.
Detective Jason White
Did you see them shoot tonight?
Rowdy Peterson
I did not see him shoot. I heard the man's hugs and I took off running.
Detective Jason White
Those guys over there right before this happened?
Rowdy Peterson
Yeah, I see him. They have families often in neighborhood not too far away.
Carter Roy
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 wouldn't have to kill the wife.
Carter Roy
In the end, it seems like they decided to only only go after Mark and leave Georgette alone. Sergeant Nathan Schilling asks Rowdy more about the murder itself.
Sergeant Nathan Schilling
Between the time they pointed the guns in cheating 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, man, 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 their 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 Blu 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 skin. Dark. Dark brown. Dark clothing, blue jeans, I believe.
Detective Jason White
Mm. Would she 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.
Carter Roy
Even though Rowdy doesn't know where the possible suspects live, he thinks he knows someone.
Rowdy Peterson
Who does?
Carter Roy
Mark's wife, Georgette.
Rowdy Peterson
The wife does. She's saying she doesn't. She's gonna lie. She's giving shit. 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. Yeah, yeah. It's always, 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.
Carter Roy
Before they finish the interview, Rowdy has one more thing to tell Detective White. Something that adds an additional. Additional heartbreaking element to this case.
Rowdy Peterson
Smalls, in your life 30 years, you're right. To get money, to get a house. They have two weeks to get a house where they lose their kids. Got kids and DHS because they're. Whatever. It's sad. They lost the kids because of drug sales, and they try and sell drugs to get a house so they don't lose their kids, which is, you know, they're doing what they got to do.
Detective Jason White
Just two hours in, we've got a pretty decent description.
Carter Roy
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?
Carter Roy
She says the oldest is 15. Then 10 and 11.
Detective Jason White
So you guys have been together a long time.
Georgette Lake
He's not the birth father of the kids, but we've been together eight, 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?
Carter Roy
Georgette agrees to tell Detective White what she knows.
Detective Jason White
All right, tell me what happened.
Georgette Lake
My husband talked about our clothes being over at a friend's house.
Carter Roy
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
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, no, please. Any point. I guess it was supposed to laugh. My grandpa looked at me and he
Carter Roy
pointed right at me.
Georgette Lake
But nothing happened. Cause the guys both started running.
Detective Jason White
Who are these guys?
Georgette Lake
Oh, no, they're just people that were walking down the street. They always helped everybody.
Carter Roy
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 want to take care of business on your own. I think you know more than that.
Carter Roy
It's been two hours and nine minutes, and Detective White is still searching for a living lead.
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Carter Roy
moment a body is found, the clock starts ticking. 48 hours. That's how long detectives have before the trail begins to go cold. From A E and Crime House, this is the official podcast from the famous true crime series the first 48 step inside the critical window. The interrogations, the dead ends, and the breakthroughs that crack a case one wide open. I'm Carter Roy. Each week I revisit a landmark homicide investigation with the depth you know and immersive long form storytelling built for your ears. Real detectives, real cases, real stakes. This is the first 48 new episodes every Thursday. Listen to and follow the first 48 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Carter Roy
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Carter Roy
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Carter Roy
So before you turn into a complete helicopter pet parent, get a'@lemonade.com pet 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 incident 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
911 Dispatcher / Callers
are,
Georgette Lake
AJ 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
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?
Georgette Lake
No, he just came up from California.
Detective Jason White
Does he have any tattoos?
Georgette Lake
A Grim reaper on his shoulder.
Carter Roy
Thankfully, Georgette provided detective 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.
Carter Roy
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
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 as aj.
Georgette Lake
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
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 vivy took from aj, made him walk home.
Detective Jason White
What? What did he take?
Georgette Lake
A kit ambush? It's a bike.
Carter Roy
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
Probably.
My husband made him empty his pockets and leave his bike.
Detective Jason White
Does your husband have a knife?
Georgette Lake
He has a knife that slides in and out, but I think he left it at the time. Tank. When we left, I had my knife on me.
Detective Jason White
What kind of knife do you have?
Georgette Lake
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
Like. Like a high five? He.
Detective Jason White
Did you happen to notice any tattoos on the. On that guy?
Georgette Lake
No.
Detective Jason White
Did you get a decent look at him?
Georgette Lake
No.
Detective Jason White
But you definitely got a good look at aj?
Georgette Lake
Usually points a gun in my face. I try to remember what they were looking like.
Carter Roy
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
Thank you.
Carter Roy
Although they still have to identify the second suspect. Detective white has enough to get a warrant for AJ's arrest, but he and Sgt. 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.
Carter Roy
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,
Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)
so I stopped him.
Detective Jason White
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.
Carter Roy
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
I've 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.
Carter Roy
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 ra. 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. No, this guy's got freaking tattoos all over the place.
Carter Roy
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?
Carter Roy
White shows the victim's wife a photo of Jason Arce.
Detective Jason White
Are you sure?
Georgette Lake
He kind of looks almost like the guy. The same way his hair is cut. I don't know his face. I mean, everything else about him seems familiar, but it makes sense why I can see how dark his hair was.
Carter Roy
Looked like Georgette says it makes sense why she could. Couldn't see him clearly with how dark
Detective Jason White
it was out there.
Carter Roy
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. Where at? I was born the other day. You 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.
Carter Roy
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. She got, and I was drunk, and Mary started arguing. I took her out.
Carter Roy
By the transcript, 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, that grass and stuff and brush. Went towards that one.
Detective Jason White
Okay.
Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)
And I came back out. When I called her up, I was back and forth. I was waiting for her and come back. We were arguing.
Detective Jason White
So did you see anybody or see anything go on. While you were in that field?
Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)
Got a bunch of homeless people.
Detective Jason White
Did you hear any gunshots?
Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)
Gunshots?
Detective Jason White
Yeah.
Carter Roy
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 have that shot.
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. Okay. 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'll call him J.R. how about A.J.
Carter Roy
detective White shows Arce a photo of Andres A.J. martinez. Arceus. It 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?
Carter Roy
Again, Arce shakes his head no.
911 Dispatcher / Callers
Perfect.
Detective Jason White
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 I parking out of North Philly.
Sergeant Nathan Schilling
Did you go down the trail at all?
Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)
No.
Carter Roy
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?
Carter Roy
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 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.
Carter Roy
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.
Sergeant Nathan Schilling
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Detective Jason White
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Detective Jason White
A rain delay.
Carter Roy
Sitting around waiting for the track to dry is dull.
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Carter Roy
Play now@chumbacasino.com let's Chumba.
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Carter Roy
Go easy. Sold my car on Carvana. Amazing offer, really.
Detective Jason White
I hit 200 on the scratcher.
Carter Roy
Did the scratcher come to your house and hand you a check?
Detective Jason White
No.
Carter Roy
How many scratchers did you hit to get that? I hit a button on Carvana.com once.
Detective Jason White
Okay, that's fair.
Carter Roy
It's like the lottery, except you always win.
Detective Jason White
Not like the lottery at all actually.
Carter Roy
Exactly. Inexplicably good offers worth bragging about. Sell your car today on Carvana.
Detective Jason White
Pick up.
Carter Roy
Fees may apply. 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 / Callers
What is he being fishing 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 / Callers
Please don't tell me he's in trouble cuz he didn't do nothing. Honestly. But I know. Take a walk cuz we got into that quick. True.
Detective Jason White
And that's it.
Sergeant Nathan Schilling
Was there anyone else with him?
911 Dispatcher / Callers
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 / Callers
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 / Callers
He don't understand the car with me. Whenever we got into it. He freaking like what?
Sergeant Nathan Schilling
Jason, you know that you can get in trouble if you lie to the police to hinder an investigation, correct?
911 Dispatcher / Callers
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 / Callers
I don't even know what the is going on. Honestly. And that's the honesty. Our truth.
Sergeant Nathan Schilling
Someone was shot tonight. And if you're lying for him.
911 Dispatcher / Callers
I'm not lying for him. That's bad.
Sergeant Nathan Schilling
What's his friend's nickname? Come on.
911 Dispatcher / Callers
Don't.
Sergeant Nathan Schilling
Don't be don't play dumb.
911 Dispatcher / Callers
For his friend. I don't like his friend. I don't even like him being in rather shit I know was gonna happen. I knew his friend is a father, 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 / Callers
No, sir. I didn't know.
Sergeant Nathan Schilling
All right, but
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 flying.
Carter Roy
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.
Detective Jason White
Okay.
Sergeant Nathan Schilling
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.
Carter Roy
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, 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 9:03.
Detective Jason White
Yeah, probably. The 911 call initially comes in at 9:02.
Carter Roy
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. To be aj. So they're together. That's. That's huge. Huge video. I guess we could see if AJ's phone number is in his phone.
Carter Roy
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.
Carter Roy
It feels like they're on the verge of cracking this case. So they return to the interrogation room and confront Jason.
Detective Jason White
Arce, 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 met three people, aj, AJ and ajj.
Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)
I mean, Chicago is gonna be all women. National phone.
Detective Jason White
Well, maybe, but. But it's the same number that we have for AJ. Andreas Martinez.
Carter Roy
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.
Jason Enrique Arce (Loco)
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're saying 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. The 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 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.
Carter Roy
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. 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 this morning.
Carter Roy
We drove by Lady 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 tell me what really what was going on.
Carter Roy
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? We've been out all night. Do you know a guy that has a street name of Loco?
Rowdy Peterson
I heard about him.
Carter Roy
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?
911 Dispatcher / Callers
Before long.
Detective Jason White
Did she happen to give you a ride with her boyfriend? Dropped you off over at the Quick Trip, which has cameras everywhere. She had another girl with her.
Carter Roy
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.
Rowdy Peterson
I was over there, but
911 Dispatcher / Callers
I told
Detective Jason White
him that's it, so I didn't.
Carter Roy
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?
Detective Jason White
No, I was down that trail.
Carter Roy
Confirmation. He walks down that trail.
Detective Jason White
I know. So you know the trail.
Rowdy Peterson
No, they know. These are homeless people.
Detective Jason White
They don't lock in and say hi.
Carter Roy
Yes, he knows there are unhoused people who stay there, and he says hi to them.
Detective Jason White
Well, Marco's dead. I had nothing to do with this situation.
Carter Roy
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.
Carter Roy
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? I don't mind it. Why does he shoot anybody?
Carter Roy
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.
Carter Roy
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?
Carter Roy
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 no gun. Do you have any tattoos?
Rowdy Peterson
Yeah.
Detective Jason White
Is one of them a grim reaper on the side of your shoulder?
Podcast Sponsor/Advertiser
Yes.
Detective Jason White
Let me see it, if you don't mind.
Carter Roy
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 Warren 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
Yeah, he told me that when I
Detective Jason White
was walking by, but I didn't know what he was 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 wasn't even worried about you because I know I didn't do what's wrong.
Carter Roy
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.
Sergeant Nathan Schilling
I didn't know why.
Detective Jason White
We're going to kill this guy for a bike? Yeah. There's no sense in that. I don't have no guns at all.
911 Dispatcher / Callers
I don't.
Detective Jason White
That's not what I do.
911 Dispatcher / Callers
I don't kill people.
Carter Roy
Detective White isn't buying it. He officially places AJ under arrest.
Detective Jason White
Okay. Loco got charged with murder, so you're going to get the same thing. Why are 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 not dealing with you. That's what I'm telling you. If you didn't do it, then who does that leave? The person. Which is who? I don't know. I can't.
Carter Roy
Lt. 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?
911 Dispatcher / Callers
No.
Carter Roy
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 point 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 serenious gang member that he is, he's like, man, you're going to have to do something about it and prove yourself.
Carter Roy
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.
Carter Roy
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. 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, small is, 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 that to being just respectful, normal person, you know, it's because with Mark it was living in each other's moment rather than 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 time.
Carter Roy
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. Hi listeners, it's Carter. Before today's episode of Murder True Crime Stories, I want to tell you about another podcast I am hosting I know you'll love. Crime house and A&E are teaming up on the podcast version of the famous true crime series the First 48. Each week I'll take you inside a landmark homicide case. The interrogations, the dead ends, and the breakthroughs in the critical first 48 hours. Listen to and follow the first 48 every Thursday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
In this gripping crossover episode, host Carter Roy introduces listeners to the official podcast adaptation of A&E’s renowned series, The First 48. The episode centers on a tragic homicide from Tulsa, Oklahoma, following the real-time investigation led by Detective Jason White after the murder of Mark “Smalls” Lake, an unhoused man living with his wife, Georgette, near a gas station field. With the clock ticking, detectives have 48 hours to solve the crime before evidence and leads go cold. The show delves into tense interrogations, witness accounts, and the emotional impact on those left behind, blending immersive storytelling with investigative detail.
“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.” (02:04)
Rowdy Peterson, camp resident, describes watching the area for Mark and Georgette and recounts two men approaching, pressing for info on Mark.
Rowdy believes the men came to rob Mark, referencing local knowledge that Smalls sold drugs to support his family’s stability.
“Smalls in your life 30 years, you're right. To get money, to get a house. They have two weeks to get a house where they lose their kids… They're trying to sell drugs to get a house so they don't lose their kids, which is, you know, they're doing what they got to do.” (13:35–14:02)
Rowdy says Georgette can identify the suspects, although she may be hesitant out of fear or a desire for revenge.
Detective White approaches Georgette, focusing on helping her family and coaxing truthful testimony.
Georgette recounts the shooting — returning from running errands, hearing their dog bark, and witnessing Mark’s confrontation and fatal shooting.
“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 started saying, I'm sorry, bro. No, no, no, please.” (15:11–15:48)
Initially, Georgette downplays her knowledge of the suspects, but Detective White keeps pressing—aware from Rowdy’s earlier statement that she may know more.
“See, right there, they just kiss... 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... 18 minutes before the 911 call.” (38:08–38:22)
“What I love about this interview... is he corroborates basically everything that the victim’s wife had talked about, everything up until the point part where this happens, which tells me she’s telling the truth… I think he felt like he got disrespected. And so he probably was telling his buddy about it. And his buddy, being the Surenos gang member that he is, he’s like, man, you’re going to have to do something about it and prove yourself.” (47:50–48:28)
Both suspects fail the gunshot residue test:
Detective White praises Georgette’s courage:
“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 on his behalf.” (49:06–49:25)
Georgette shares a poignant coda:
“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… My oldest… 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… All [he] ever wanted was the best for me. So I’m trying, little steps at a time.” (49:49–51:18)
Georgette Lake:
“Out here is where I lost my best friend, my heart. I lost my whole world.” (02:27)
Detective Jason White:
“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.” (49:25)
Rowdy Peterson:
“It's sad. They lost the kids because of drug sales, and they try and sell drugs to get a house so they don't lose their kids, which is, you know, they're doing what they got to do.” (13:35)
Arce (Loco):
“So I'm probably gonna be on ‘First 48’, huh?” (41:31)
| Timestamp | Segment | Description / Highlights | |------------|---------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:04 | Setting the scene/Early life with Mark | Georgette reflects on their life and love | | 06:54 | 911 Call & Police Response | Crime is discovered; detectives arrive | | 09:37 | Rowdy Peterson’s Interview | Key witness narrative, reveals possible motive and suspect knowledge | | 14:13 | Georgette’s Interview | Emotional recounting of the shooting and initial reluctance to name names | | 20:05 | Identification of “A.J.” and Details | Georgette gives critical identifying info | | 25:09 | Detainment of Suspect #2 (Arce/Loco) | Officer Myers brings in Arce | | 28:46 | Initial Interrogation of Arce/Loco | Alibis, denials, and inconsistencies | | 38:08 | Surveillance Footage Review | Video that contradicts suspect stories and links both men to crime | | 39:47 | Challenging Arce with Evidence | Escalating questioning; detectives confront with contradictions | | 42:10 | AJ’s Arrest and Interrogation | The second key suspect is arrested and interviewed | | 47:50 | Detective White’s Assessment | Reflections on the case and witness credibility | | 49:49 | Georgette’s Recovery | Moving postscript on resilience and the impact on the victim’s family | | 51:18 | Episode Conclusion | Resources and invitation to future episodes |
This episode embodies The First 48’s power: urgency, authenticity, and humanity as detectives work against time to secure justice for those most vulnerable. The narrative is immersive yet personal, revealing the deep impact of violent loss on families and the dedicated persistence of investigators. In closing, Georgette’s journey toward healing honors Mark’s memory—showing that amid tragedy, resilience endures.