FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A 27-year-old Fayetteville man pleaded not guilty after police accused him of killing his roommate, according to a court order after his arraignment on July 8.
Jason Lawson was arrested on June 13, 2024, after reportedly killing 33-year-old Benjamin Martin during an argument, according to a release from the Fayetteville Police Department (FPD).
FPD said that on June 12, officers were dispatched to an apartment complex near the area of North Lapis Lane for a welfare concern at around 12:30 p.m. The caller had reported that Lawson killed Martin after an argument, police said.
When officers arrived at their apartment, they found Martin's body on the kitchen floor.
The release states Lawson killed Martin on the night of June 8 and poured gasoline on and around Martin's body. Officers said they also found evidence of Lawson trying to clean the crime scene.
Police say that the area where this incident happened is typically quiet.
"As you add people to any place, you have rates of criminal activity increase. But that specific apartment complex is generally a very safe and quiet area," said Fayetteville police Sgt. Stephen Mauk.
Lawson was arrested for first-degree murder and tampering with evidence the day after the welfare check, according to investigators.
In an interview after his arrest, Lawson reportedly told police that Martin "raised a hammer" toward him during the argument, and that's when Lawson opened a pocketknife and that Martin "fell on the blade." Lawson was quoted by police as saying "Things were a blur."
FPD said Lawson didn't tell police where the knife was or any further details, as he claimed he could not remember, adding that Lawson was "deceptive in many statements" during the interview.
On July 8, Lawson pleaded not guilty and his trial was scheduled for Aug. 13 at 8 a.m.
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