Fayetteville Man Accused of Murdering Roommate, Pouring Gasoline on Body
On a chilling morning, June 12, the Fayetteville Police Department received a report of a dead body in an apartment on Lapis Lane. The victim, 33-year-old Benjamin Martin, was discovered lifeless on the kitchen floor. Surprisingly, no one was present at the apartment during the initial investigation. However, the police would soon uncover a gruesome tale of murder and deception.
The story unfolded when the victim’s roommate, 28-year-old Jason Lawson, was found and apprehended in Rogers the following day, June 13. Lawson’s confession revealed that an intense argument with Martin on June 8 escalated into a deadly confrontation. According to Lawson, Martin threatened him with a hammer, and in self-defense, Lawson opened a pocket knife. Martin allegedly fell onto the blade, leading to his tragic demise.
Lawson’s actions did not stop there. Disturbingly, he poured gasoline on Martin’s body and the surrounding area. After the crime, Lawson cleaned the crime scene, attempting to erase all traces of evidence. His clouded memory, however, hindered his ability to recall the location of the murder weapon, leaving police with an unsettling picture of events.
The Fayetteville Police Department, with the assistance of the Rogers Police Department, sprang into action and booked Lawson at the Washington County Detention Center. He faces charges of first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence. The case sends a chill down the spines of Fayetteville residents, a stark reminder of the darker side of human nature.
