Dateline: True Crime Weekly – January 16, 2025
Hosted by Andrea Canning
1. Jason Chen's Murder Trial: Surprise Defense Strategy
Overview: In a gripping turn of events in Tennessee, 24-year-old Jason Chen stands accused of murdering his 22-year-old girlfriend, Jasmine Pace. The trial, set in a Chattanooga courtroom, has garnered significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the case and the intense media coverage surrounding Jasmine's disappearance over Thanksgiving in 2022.
Key Developments:
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Opening Statements: The prosecution, led by District Attorney Cody Wabb, argued for no bond, emphasizing the potential threat Chen poses to the community. Chen pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse.
Jay Young [03:33]: "Based on proof presented today, the community is less safe."
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Defense’s Unexpected Turn: In a surprising move, Chen's defense team introduced a voluntary manslaughter defense, claiming that Chen acted in a state of passion and provoked by Jasmine's suspected infidelity.
Mario Garcia [06:16]: "They said he's guilty of killing her, but he's not guilty of killing her the way that the state has said."
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Prosecution’s Argument: The prosecution presented evidence of a tumultuous relationship, including a loud fight and Jasmine's subsequent disappearance. Jasmine's mother, Katrina Pace, took it upon herself to investigate, leading to the discovery of Jasmine's body in a suitcase.
Rachel White [03:58]: "You went back in. For what? To get whatever, anything that I thought I could use to help find my daughter."
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Jury Selection: The jury, sequestered from Nashville to ensure impartiality, has been thoroughly vetted to handle the high-stakes nature of the case.
Notable Quotes:
- Mario Garcia [05:35]: "This is the suitcase in which Jason Chen stuffed the 98-pound body of Jasmine."
- Rachel White [08:32]: "She took iPad, she took notebooks. This is not the way things usually happen."
Conclusion: The trial continues to unfold with intense scrutiny on both the prosecution's solid case and the defense's unexpected plea. The courtroom atmosphere remains tense as both sides prepare for a lengthy legal battle.
2. Natalie Cochran's Trial: From Fraud to Alleged Murder
Overview: Natalie Cochran, a pharmacist from Daniels, West Virginia, previously convicted of orchestrating a multi-million-dollar Ponzi scheme, now faces grave new charges: the alleged poisoning of her husband, Michael Cochran, with insulin. This case has evolved over several years, intertwining financial malfeasance with potential domestic murder.
Key Developments:
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Background: In September 2019, Natalie was indicted for fraud, leading to an 11-year federal prison sentence after pleading guilty. Two years later, suspicion arose around Michael's sudden death, initially ruled as natural causes due to hypoglycemia.
Mary Jambelic [13:24]: "Michael Cochran was determined to find out [about the fraud]."
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Reopened Investigation: Investigators doubted the natural cause ruling, leading to the exhumation of Michael's body. Though initial tests found no insulin traces, subsequent examinations by a state pathologist and an endocrinologist suggested homicide caused by insulin injections.
Mary Jambelic [16:41]: "It's the same when you have a dead body one day or 100 years dead. You need to know the context."
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Trial Proceedings: The courthouse in West Virginia buzzed with anticipation as both prosecution and defense laid out their cases. The prosecution emphasized Natalie's motive tied to her fraudulent activities and expertise in pharmaceuticals, suggesting premeditation.
Mary Jambelic [17:11]: "The prosecution has to work with a case that does not have direct evidence. But what they do have is a defendant who is a convicted felon serving 11 years."
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Defense’s Argument: Contrarily, the defense portrayed Michael as aware of the fraudulent scheme, negating Natalie's motive to kill him. They highlighted the lack of direct evidence linking Natalie to the poisoning.
Mary Jambelic [18:49]: "They argue Michael was well aware of the fraudulent nature of the business so Natalie would have no reason to want to kill him."
Notable Quotes:
- Mary Jambelic [15:27]: "They were unable to find insulin in Michael's body when they exhumed it months later."
- Rachel White [28:16]: "You have to have a suspicion of it so that you're making sure you look for the category of poison that you're suspicious about."
Conclusion: Natalie Cochran's trial represents a complex intersection of financial crime and alleged personal violence. As the courtroom drama unfolds, key testimonies and forensic evidence will play crucial roles in determining her fate.
3. Dateline Roundup
A. Alec Baldwin's Lawsuit Against New Mexico Prosecutors
Overview: Alec Baldwin has taken legal action against several members of the prosecution team involved in the 2021 Rust movie set shooting, where a prop gun mishap led to the death of cinematographer Helena Hutchins.
Key Developments:
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Lawsuit Details: Baldwin filed a 73-page civil lawsuit accusing prosecutors of malicious prosecution and violation of his civil rights, alleging they conspired to harass him.
Jay Young [22:20]: "He’s taken action."
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Prosecutors' Response: Carrie Morrissey, one of the prosecutors named in the lawsuit, stated they are prepared to defend their actions in court.
Jay Young [22:39]: "The defendants have yet to file a response in court. But one of the prosecutors, Carrie Morrissey, told NBC News that they look forward to their day in court."
Notable Quotes:
- Rachel White [22:13]: "If this conduct does not rise to the level of bad faith, it certainly comes so near to bad faith as to show signs of, of scorching prejudice."
Conclusion: Baldwin's lawsuit adds another layer to the high-profile Rust case, with legal battles anticipated to draw significant media attention.
B. Lori Valo Debel ("Mommy Doomsday") Represents Herself in Court
Overview: Lori Valo Debel, infamously known as "Mommy Doomsday," is back in court facing new murder charges in Arizona. Notably, she is representing herself, adding a dramatic twist to her legal proceedings.
Key Developments:
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Courtroom Appearance: Debel appeared in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs, displaying a defiant attitude as she challenged the legal system.
Jay Young [23:47]: "She was definitely confident."
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Charges: Debel faces murder charges related to her fourth husband, Charles, and the attempted murder of her niece's ex-husband. She claims prosecutors are withholding evidence, a motion that was firmly denied by the judge.
Jay Young [24:10]: "The judge was pretty firm with Lori, asking her why her extradition documents have anything to do with the underlying charges against her in Arizona."
Notable Quotes:
- Andrea Canning [23:31]: "Lori, thank you so much for these updates."
- Jay Young [23:57]: "And she asked for all the discovery related to her extradition from Idaho to Arizona."
Conclusion: Debel's self-representation underscores her relentless pursuit to challenge the charges against her, though legal experts remain skeptical of her chances without professional counsel.
C. Medical Examiner’s Insight on Cold Case Autopsies
Overview: Dr. Mary Jambelic, former chief medical examiner of Onondaga County, New York, shares her expertise on the challenges of determining causes of death in cold cases, emphasizing the importance of context and forensic advancements.
Key Insights:
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Assessing Historical Cases: Dr. Jambelic explains the methodological approach to examining bodies that have been deceased for extended periods, highlighting the preservation of skeletal markers of trauma.
Rachel White [27:19]: "You have to learn how to interpret the decaying body as well as the skeletonized body because a gunshot wound, a stab one, it may leave marks on the bone that you can detect and they'll be present for many, many decades."
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Poisoning Detection: While poison can sometimes be detected post-mortem, the degradation of chemicals over time makes it increasingly difficult without prior suspicion.
Rachel White [27:48]: "There are so many drugs and chemicals and toxins in the world. So I think the first thing with a poisoning is you have to have a suspicion of it so that you're making sure you look for the category of poison that you're suspicious about."
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Exhumations in Cold Cases: Dr. Jambelic discusses the rarity and complexity of exhuming bodies for forensic analysis, emphasizing the stringent legal requirements and the need for compelling evidence to warrant such actions.
Rachel White [29:08]: "I don't think exhumations are that easy to occur, especially legally. There has to be a certain burden of proof of the need to do it to further the case."
Notable Quotes:
- Rachel White [28:35]: "I've been on multiple sides of that particular dilemma where my ruling may be questioned and maybe the police and I don't agree, but the medical examiner may have a reason for that determination or may not have considered the, the insulin overdose because it's a very subtle thing."
- Rachel White [29:52]: "What's really hard to get rid of is your motive. And so you have a motive to kill someone and someone suspects that, then forensics is there to figure it out."
Conclusion: Dr. Jambelic's insights shed light on the meticulous and often challenging process of solving cold cases, where advances in forensic science play a pivotal role in uncovering the truth long after the fact.
4. Upcoming Stories
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"Deadly Mirage" with Josh: Scheduled to air this Sunday on NBC at 9/8 Central, this story delves into the mysterious death of a wealthy Georgia man and the subsequent uncovering of family secrets leading to the revelation of the killer.
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Keith Morrison's New Investigation: Premiering this Friday on NBC at 9/8 Central and available for streaming on Peacock, Morrison explores the discovery of a wealthy man's body on his estate, unraveling a web of family secrets to identify the perpetrator.
Production Credits
- Produced by: Franny Kelly and Katie Ferguson
- Associate Producers: Carson Cummins and Caroline Casey
- Senior Producer: Liz Brown Kurloff
- Production and Fact-Checking: Sara Kadir
- Digital Producer: Veronica Maseka
- Sound Designer: Rick Kwan
- Original Music: Jesse McGinty
- Head of Audio Production: Bryson Barnes
- Executive Producer: Paul Ryan
- Senior Executive Producer: Liz Cole
Final Remarks
Dateline True Crime Weekly continues to deliver in-depth analyses and updates on some of the most compelling true crime stories across the nation. Stay tuned for upcoming episodes that promise to unearth more chilling and intriguing cases.
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