SEQUESTERED Podcast: BONUS EPISODE Summary
Episode Title: BONUS EPISODE: Behind the Mic and Beyond the Verdict
Release Date: April 21, 2025
Introduction to the Bonus Episode
In this special bonus episode of SEQUESTERED, host Sarah Reed (Juror #11) and co-producer Andrea Clyde delve deeper into the creation of the podcast, their experiences behind the scenes, and the lasting impact of Jasmine Pace's case. This episode offers listeners an intimate look at the efforts to honor Jazzy's memory and explore unresolved questions surrounding the trial.
Dateline NBC Collaboration
The episode opens with Sarah sharing exciting news about a Dateline NBC episode titled "The Pin at Apartment 210," which highlights the investigation and trial of Jasmine Pace's murder (00:02). Sarah reflects on her participation in the episode, expressing honor in helping amplify Jazzy's story on a national platform. The collaboration emphasizes the importance of remembering Jasmine beyond the courtroom proceedings.
Notable Quote:
Sarah Reed (00:02): “This episode isn't about the trial or the jurors. It's about Jasmine. Her voice, her family, and the lasting impact of what happened.”
Behind the Scenes of Creating the Podcast
Sarah and Andrea discuss the rapid development of SEQUESTERED as they worked to produce episodes in real-time during the trial (03:52). They highlight the emotional challenges Sarah faced after serving as a juror and the decision to focus not only on the trial but also on Jasmine's personal story. The creators emphasize their commitment to avoiding sensationalism, aiming instead to honor Jazzy's life and convey the profound responsibility jurors bear.
Notable Quote:
Andrea Clyde (04:03): “What made this really so unique was that we had to move fast. We committed early on to the writing and producing of the podcast in real time in order to capture the details and emotions of your experience while it was still fresh.”
The Reality of Being a Juror
The conversation shifts to the intense experience of jury duty, with Sarah describing the isolation and mental fatigue jurors endure (07:52 – 10:02). She recounts moments of involuntary eye contact with Jason Chen, the defendant, and the emotional toll of processing courtroom testimonies nightly. This section underscores the human element of serving as a juror in a high-stakes murder trial.
Notable Quotes:
Sarah Reed (08:19): “Some nights, I'd crash, like, the second I'd hit the bed, just mentally drained from, like, listening to the intensity of it all.”
Sarah Reed (09:15): “There were definitely times, even during, like, jury selection in Nashville and multiple times during the trial that we made eye contact because of my seating position in the jury box.”
Interaction with District Attorneys on Jury Questions
A significant portion of the episode explores the unique aspect of jurors being permitted to ask questions during the trial—a rare allowance in Tennessee (15:05 – 21:37). Sarah and Andrea share their discussions with District Attorneys Cody Whomp and Paul Moyle about the pros and cons of this practice. DA Whomp explains the potential for juror questions to both aid and complicate the trial, emphasizing that, ultimately, the practice did not negatively impact their case.
Notable Quote:
Cody Whomp (17:03 – 19:06): “We have pros and cons to a jury being able to ask questions... sometimes there's a question that we did not think of, and so many of yalls questions were asked, meaning that this equation that we didn't think of and we didn't even know would be important.”
Uncovered Details and Theories
Sarah and Andrea reveal intriguing details that were not part of the trial but have lingered with them. These include:
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Jason Chen's Interest in Art: They discuss how Jason had several photos of "Birth of Eve" by Judith Schechter in his phone, drawing eerie parallels between the art piece and crime scene photos (12:34 – 14:08).
Notable Quote:
Sarah Reed (13:54): “It mirrored the art piece so closely, and seeing it just still makes my stomach turn.” -
Jason's Movements on the Night of the Murder: The duo investigates Jason's movements on November 26, 2022, revealing discrepancies in his phone records and questioning his presence in the Hickson area (26:35 – 31:01).
Notable Quote:
Sarah Reed (28:07): “What was Jason back in town for?... According to his phone records, Jason stays in the Hickson area until about 10:15pm before heading back to Nolensville.” -
The Missing Apple Watch: They explore the theory that Jazzy might have used her Apple Watch to drop a location pin, which has yet to be located, raising further questions about the case's unresolved elements (30:40 – 31:01).
Notable Quote:
Sarah Reed (30:30): “...the Apple Watch has never been found. So, we don't know if Jason took it or destroyed it or if it's still out there somewhere.”
These insights highlight the complexities and lingering mysteries that surround Jasmine Pace's case, inviting listeners to ponder alongside the creators.
The Appeal Process
Sarah and Andrea address the recent appeal filed by Jason Chen's legal team, which challenges the verdict on grounds of evidence tampering by Jasmine’s family (24:06 – 26:16). DA Whomp clarifies that filing an appeal is a standard procedure and does not necessarily indicate a substantive challenge to the trial’s fairness. He explains the low likelihood of a new trial being granted, providing listeners with a clear understanding of the legal process following a verdict.
Notable Quote:
Cody Whomp (25:50): “An appeal is not a new trial. It is a legal review to determine whether anything was done improperly or unfairly in the process.”
Future Directions and Closing Reflections
In the concluding segments, Sarah and Andrea reflect on the podcast's journey and express gratitude for the overwhelming support from listeners (31:14 – 34:26). They reaffirm their commitment to telling more stories, emphasizing the importance of remembering the individuals behind each case. The hosts encourage audience engagement by inviting listeners to share their theories and suggest cases for future episodes.
Notable Quotes:
Sarah Reed (32:04): “What I keep coming back to is Jasmine. I guess I just hope people remember her name.”
Andrea Clyde (33:13): “If there's a case you think we should look into, something local, something overlooked, something that really has stuck with you again, please email us@sequesteredpodmail.com or you can hit us up on Instagram.”
Additionally, they highlight upcoming bonus episodes that will provide updates and new information as it emerges, ensuring that Jasmine's story—and others like it—continue to resonate with their audience.
Conclusion
This bonus episode serves as a heartfelt extension of the SEQUESTERED series, offering deeper insights into the podcast's creation, the emotional landscape of jury duty, and unresolved questions in Jasmine Pace's case. Through candid conversations and exclusive revelations, Sarah Reed and Andrea Clyde honor Jazzy's memory while fostering a community of listeners invested in seeking justice and understanding the complexities of the legal system.
For more information or to connect with the hosts, visit SequesteredPod.com or follow them on Instagram at @sequesteredpod.
