The Deck Podcast Episode Summary: "Agustin Chacon (King of Clubs, Texas) & Marshall McCarthy (5 of Hearts, Texas)"

Introduction

In this gripping episode of The Deck, host Ashley Flowers delves into the intertwined murders of Agustin Chacon and Marshall McCarthy in Odessa, Texas, in March 1982. These unresolved cases, separated by background and circumstances yet linked by proximity and time, have lingered for over four decades without justice for the victims. Flowers presents an in-depth exploration of the events surrounding the killings, the subsequent flawed investigations, and the ongoing efforts by Detective Lauren Gonzalez to bring closure to these cold cases.

Overview of the Cases

Agustin Chacon (King of Clubs, Texas)

Agustin Chacon was a 25-year-old man found murdered in his Odessa home on the night of March 3, 1982. Living in a cramped one-bedroom house shared with a dozen other men, Agustin was described as a hard-working family man with no criminal history. On the evening of his murder, Agustin was in the kitchen preparing dinner with his roommate Pedro when an intruder armed with a gun entered the house, leading to a chaotic shooting that left Agustin dead within two hours.

Marshall McCarthy (5 of Hearts, Texas)

Just 20 minutes after Agustin's death, Marshall McCarthy, a 37-year-old man living half a mile away in Odessa, was shot dead in his apartment. Unlike Agustin, Marshall had a known history of drug use and was implicated as a local drug dealer involved in cocaine distribution. His lifestyle put him at higher risk for violence, and his murder remains unsolved amidst numerous leads that never culminated in an arrest.

The Initial Investigation

Flawed Procedures and Missed Opportunities

The initial investigations into both murders were marred by significant procedural errors and oversights. Detective Lauren Gonzalez highlights several critical mistakes:

• Lack of Proper Translation: All residents of Agustin's shared house spoke only Spanish, but the investigating officers did not speak the language. Instead of hiring a professional translator, they relied on a bilingual neighbor who discouraged potential witnesses from speaking with the police, resulting in the loss of vital eyewitness accounts. As Gonzalez notes, “[00:00] ...the neighbor told people only to stay if they knew something about the shooting,” causing up to seven witnesses to withhold information ([09:23]).

• Insufficient Crime Scene Documentation: Detective Gonzalez points out the inadequate documentation of Agustin's crime scene. Only a couple of photographs existed, none of the interior rooms, which severely limited the investigators' ability to reconstruct the events accurately ([08:46]).

• Resource Limitations: Odessa in the early 1980s was experiencing a surge in violent crime, leading to overworked and inexperienced officers handling complex cases like these with inadequate resources ([31:01]).

Differences Between the Cases

While both men were murdered on the same night and in close proximity, their cases presented stark differences:

• Victimology: Agustin had no criminal background and was perceived as a family man, whereas Marshall was entangled in the drug scene, making his murder appear more as a targeted attack related to his illegal activities ([14:15]).

• Investigative Focus: Due to Marshall's involvement in the drug trade, investigators quickly identified multiple suspects and leads in his case, thus allocating more resources towards it. In contrast, Agustin's case suffered from a lack of leads and insufficient victimology, leading to a sparse investigation file ([29:51]).

Detective Lauren Gonzalez's Work

Reviving Cold Cases

Detective Lauren Gonzalez took over the cold case unit in August 2021, inheriting minimal information on Agustin's case compared to Marshall's extensive file. She has been diligently working to piece together overlooked evidence and seek new leads:

• Forensic Re-examination: Gonzalez sent out bullets and fingernail scrapings from Agustin’s autopsy for advanced laboratory testing and re-photographed all evidence to create a comprehensive record ([24:50]).

• New Leads and Connections: She uncovered additional information, such as a handwritten receipt indicating Agustin was making payments on a 1973 Mustang, and attempted to follow up on potential suspects like Javier and Carlos in Florida. However, many connections remain unverified due to the passage of time and lack of cooperation from witnesses ([35:17]).

• Community Outreach: Gonzalez emphasizes the importance of community assistance in solving these cases. She is actively seeking information from individuals who were present in Odessa during that time and urges anyone with knowledge to come forward ([37:03]).

Notable Quotes

• Detective Lauren Gonzalez on investigation flaws:

  “Most of the time people are murdered by someone they know. I think it's possible that this was a random crime of violence, but I can't say for sure because I don't have enough information about the victim.” ([22:08])

• Detective Gonzalez on Odessa’s crime environment in the 80s:

  “Odessa was murder capital of the world. That's how they would describe it. ... Violent crime had skyrocketed here in Odessa and there was not enough police officers.” ([31:20])

• Carl McCarthy, Marshall’s cousin, on the impact of the murder:

  “Even if whoever did it, if they're gone now, just to know this is who it was... This is who it was. And hopefully my Aunt Wilma, heaven will know, because I know that bugged her the day she died.” ([38:29])

Appeals to the Public

Detective Gonzalez and the families of both victims are reaching out to the community for any additional information that could shed light on these longstanding mysteries. They encourage individuals connected to Odessa in 1982 or those who knew Agustin and Marshall to come forward, either directly to the detective or anonymously through Odessa Crime Stoppers.

Conclusion

The murders of Agustin Chacon and Marshall McCarthy remain haunting unresolved cases in Odessa, Texas. The Deck podcast sheds light on the systemic issues that hindered the initial investigations and highlights the ongoing efforts by Detective Lauren Gonzalez to finally bring justice to these victims. As the community holds onto hope, the call for new information continues, underscoring the enduring quest for truth and closure in the face of decades-old mysteries.

Call to Action

If you have any information related to the murders of Agustin Chacon or Marshall McCarthy, please contact Detective Lauren Gonzalez at 432-335-4926 or remain anonymous by reaching out to Odessa Crime Stoppers at 432-333-8477.

This summary is based on the transcript provided and aims to encapsulate the key discussions and insights from the episode while adhering to the specified guidelines.