I Am a Killer Season 2, Episode 5 recap: The Mark Arthur Story

Episode 205 of Netflix and Crime+Investigation UK’s I Am a Killer Mark Arthur. Did he murder Esequiel Fonseca Sr. in self-defense? Was it a contract kill?

Previously, I Am a Killer examined the tumultuous life of Linda Lee Couch, who apparently killed her husband and buried him in her backyard due to abuse. “Honorable Intentions” presents info on Mark Arthur, in prison for the murder of Esequiel Fonseca Sr.

As the episode begins, Mark Arthur attributes his act to “Mexican machismo,” even comparing it to getting his first kiss! The murder occurred on the Houston beltway in Texas in 1996. Mark was 17 years old at the time. Arthur gives some details about his past, such as his Mexican-Indian mother. He also says that one of her exes was abusive. He does say that a man named homer Milbourn was the closest to a real father.

At some point, Mark Arthur says he joined a Houston street gang called the Maniac Latin Disciple Nation, saying they abided by the principle of “one love, one hate.” With Esqeuiel Fonseca, Jr. (“Little Zeke”, Mark broke into cars and houses, and also committed robberies.

When Little Zeke ended up in prison, Mark says he kept visiting his mom Carmen and came to suspect she was being beaten up. Arthur says he felt bad for not defending his sister against an abuser while young. He says this led to him beating up Esequiel Fonseca Sr., who supposedly threatened him afterward. This is what we are told led to the fateful day of December 21, 1996.

Mark Arthur was dropped him off in Southern Houston, knowing that “Big Zeke” would likely drive by him on the Houston beltway. His rationale for shooting him up: The classic “It was him or me.” Mark was pulled over as a passenger in a stolen vehicle 5 days after the murder (which probably wouldn’t help in his murder case).

He also still possessed the gun used to kill Mr. Fonseca. If that’s not enough, Carmen Fonseca was to receive $220,000 in life insurance, also being arrested, though in January of 1997.

Insurance?

Arthur denies that they plotted the murder for insurance money, insisting she had nothing to do with it. Another theory is that Carmen had a miscarriage after a beating and it may have been Arthur’s child. Could it have been a “life for a life” scenario? To complicate things, it at least seems possible that some aspects of the case could be coincidental.

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Mark suggests that the baby may not have been his, and also downplays their relationship. He emphasizes that it had more to do with Esqeuiel Fonseca, Sr.’s threat and that, had he not acted first, the tables might have been turned. Nothing about that sounds implausible, either.  Could it have been a combination of all these elements?

People who know Mark Arthur

I Am a Killer provides some insight into Mark’s character, interviewing people who know him. Nicole Andrews had met Arthur back in 1993, associating with him for about 8 months. She was surprised to receive prison letters from him years later. Although she occasionally responds to his letters and doesn’t seem to fear him, she does say she doesn’t think Mark should get out, even though she thinks he eventually will get paroled.

We also hear from Mark’s uncle, Jesse Sanchez, Dr., over in Dayton, Texas. He notes that Mark’s mother pushed him aside and it’s implied that he turned to gang activity as a result. He also thinks Carmen manipulated him into the murder and is trying to do the honorable thing by taking the whole rap.

Carmen

In 1998, Carmen went on trial for plotting murder, ultimately being convicted and getting a life sentence. Patrick McCann, her defense attorney, still professes her innocence (which not every lawyer ultimately does for a client, by the way). Kyle Brown, the lead investigator, theorizes that Carmen convinced Arthur that the death would let him take over Esequiel’s life — including her, his home, his money, and his car.

There is some reason to believe this. I Am a Killer provides interrogation footage where Mark Arthur seems to immediately implicate Carmen. He also bragged about his crimes. However, to complicate things, when Mark called Carmen from prison, she did not implicate herself over the phone.

We are told that Carmen later acknowledged prior knowledge of Arthur’s murderous intentions (though not many specifics are given). Due to his status as a minor, Mark Arthur’s death sentence revoked in 2005 and he’ll be eligible for parole in 2037.

Has Mark changed? He says so. He also reiterates that he and Carmen weren’t serious and that she didn’t ask him to kill. He also discredits the interrogation recording, saying it was him trying to get a better deal for himself. Ultimately, the world may never know if “Big Zeke” was killed for threatening Mark or if there was more to it. Who knows? Sometimes cases are less complicated than the evidence itself suggests.

What are your thoughts on I Am a Killer and the story of Mark Arthur? Let us know in the comments!