WASHINGTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Ark. — A 29-year-old Fayetteville man has been sentenced to over 45 years in prison after being found guilty of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence in the stabbing death of his roommate in 2024.

Jason Lawson was accused of stabbing his roommate, 33-year-old Benjamin Martin. Investigators testified that after the stabbing, Lawson covered Martin’s body with a sheet, moved it, and poured gasoline on him. He also reportedly used cleaning products around the home.

On the second day of trial, Sept. 3, defense attorneys for Lawson argued that first-degree murder is not the proper charge in the stabbing death of his roommate.

The defense said prosecutors have not shown that Lawson acted with prior intent, a requirement for first-degree murder. Attorney

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