BONUS EPISODE: Jason Chen Case Update: Motion for New Trial Denied

Summary

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SEQUESTERED Podcast

BONUS EPISODE: Jason Chen Case Update – Motion for New Trial Denied

Host: Sara Reid
Date: May 5, 2026

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Overview of Episode Theme

Sara Reid, juror #11 from the original Jason Chen trial, delivers an urgent case update: Jason Chen, convicted of the brutal murder of Jasmine Pace, has had his motion for a new trial denied. This bonus episode breaks down the key developments in the latest court hearing, revisits what the motion entailed, recounts pivotal moments from the original trial, and reflects on the ongoing resolve of Jasmine Pace’s family.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Motion for a New Trial

• On May 4, 2026, Jason Chen appeared in Chattanooga, Tennessee, seeking a new trial ([01:02]).
• Chen's Claims: The defense argued that Chen did not receive a fair trial, citing:
  • Mishandling or questions around the custody of evidence
  • Issues surrounding the search of Chen’s apartment
  • The presence of Jasmine Pace’s family (including some who testified as witnesses) in the courtroom during the trial ([01:55])

2. Arguments Raised

• Attorney Amanda Morrison (defense) emphasized improper courtroom procedures, notably the presence of Jasmine’s family members who were also witnesses ([01:55]).
  • Morrison argued this may have influenced testimonies.
• Judge Boyd Patterson responded directly, stating:

  "The Constitution does allow victims families to be in the courtroom."
  – Judge Patterson [02:28]

• Patterson reviewed all concerns raised in the motion and clarified that:

  "All of those were litigated at length and the court ruled on the same conclusions that were arrived at."
  – Judge Patterson (as summarized by Sara Reid) [02:35]

3. Recap of the Original Case and Verdict

• Sara Reid’s Account ([02:53]):
  • Sara recalls her experience as a juror:

    "I sat through that trial for nine days in January of 2025. I heard the evidence. I watched the exhibits come in. I listened as the state methodically laid out what happened to Jasmine Pace, a 22-year-old whose life was taken in November of 2022."

  • Jury found Jason Chen guilty of first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse.
  • Details of the crime: Jasmine Pace was stabbed 60 times, placed in a suitcase, and discarded on the banks of the Tennessee River.
  • The verdict: Life in prison without parole.

    "That is not easy to carry, but it is what the evidence showed for that brutal and horrendous crime."
    – Sara Reid [03:36]

4. The Judge’s Ruling and What It Means

• Judge Patterson’s denial means:
  • The prior jury verdict stands.
  • Sentence remains unchanged: life without the possibility of parole.
• Remark by District Attorney Cody Womp:

  "Jasmine's family has stayed with this case through every challenge for the last three and a half years."
  – District Attorney Cody Womp [04:28]

5. Newsroom and Family Response

• Reporter Lily Butler’s Summary ([04:33]):
  • Judge Patterson’s ruling puts “to rest one last challenge.”
  • Cody Womp reflects on the significance for Jasmine’s family:

    “She thinks Jasmine would be proud to see her family and friends there in the courtroom one last time.”

  • Recap: Jury found Jason Chen guilty and sentenced him to life in prison.

6. Next Steps and Continuing Coverage

• Chen’s attorneys now have 30 days to file the next appeal.
• Sara highlights the enduring courage of Jasmine’s family throughout the lengthy trial and appeals process ([05:07]).
• Commitment to update listeners on further legal developments.

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Notable Quotes

• Judge Boyd Patterson:

  "The Constitution does allow victims families to be in the courtroom." [02:28]

  "All of those were litigated at length and the court ruled on the same conclusions that were arrived at." (as summarized by Sara Reid) [02:35]

• Sara Reid (host, juror #11):

  "I sat through that trial for nine days in January of 2025... And at the end of that trial, the jury I served on found Jason Chen guilty of first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse." [02:53]

  "That is not easy to carry, but it is what the evidence showed for that brutal and horrendous crime." [03:36]

• District Attorney Cody Womp:

  "Jasmine's family has stayed with this case through every challenge for the last three and a half years." [04:28] "She thinks Jasmine would be proud to see her family and friends there in the courtroom one last time." (via News Channel 9 report) [04:33]

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Important Timestamps

• [01:02]: Sara Reid introduces the motion for a new trial and recaps Jason Chen’s conviction.
• [01:55]: Defense attorney Amanda Morrison raises concerns about courtroom procedure and evidence.
• [02:28]: Judge Patterson affirms the rights of victims’ families to be present.
• [02:53]: Sara Reid recounts the original trial, evidence, and the jury’s verdict.
• [04:28]: DA Womp’s comments on Jasmine’s family’s resilience.
• [04:33]: News Channel 9’s Lily Butler summarizes Judge Patterson’s ruling and the impact on the family.
• [05:07]: Sara outlines the next legal steps (potential appeal) and reiterates the jury’s role in justice for Jasmine.

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Tone and Final Thoughts

Sara Reid maintains a personal, reflective, and empathetic tone throughout, emphasizing the victim-centered nature of the podcast. She balances recounting the factual procedures and developments with an acute awareness of the human toll and emotional tragedy at the core of the case.

For Listeners:

• Full story is available in Season One.
• Further updates will be shared as the case evolves.
• Listeners can learn more or hear prior episodes at sequesteredpod.com.

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Transcript

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[C]

I'm Sarah Reed and I was juror number 11 in the trial of Jason Chen, the man convicted of murdering Jasmine Pace. Whether you followed this case with us or if you're hearing it for the first time, there's been a new development. On May 4, 2026, Jason Chen returned to court in Chattanooga, Tennessee, asking for a new trial

[D]

and convicted of killing his girlfriend, Jasmine Pace was back in court today.

[E]

He believes he did not receive a fair trial and his case should be heard again. Jason Chen appeared before a judge in Hamilton county just hours ago. His defense team filed a motion for a new trial, pointing to dozens of examples where they believe Chen's last case fell short.

[D]

The brief points to problems with the custody of evidence, the involvement of Pace's family, the search of Chen's apartment, and more.

[C]

The hearing took place at the Hamilton County Criminal Courthouse. In the same courtroom, Chen's attorney, Amanda Morrison, argued that the original trial was unfair and that his case should be heard again. Issues were raised about the custody of evidence, the search of Chen's apartment, and Jasmine's family being present inside the courtroom. Chen's attorney honed in on the fact that someone of Jasmine's family members, including those who were witnesses for the state, had remained inside the courtroom during the trial. Normally, witnesses can be excluded so they don't hear other testimony before giving their own, and the defense argued that this should have prevented those family members from being present. But Judge Boyd Patterson addressed that directly, stating the Constitution does allow victims families to be in the courtroom. Patterson also addressed the larger list of issues that were raised in Chen's motion, making clear that those arguments had already been considered during the trial. He said all of those were litigated at length and the court ruled on the same conclusions that were arrived at. End quote. I sat through that trial for nine days in January of 2025. I heard the evidence. I watched the exhibits come in. I listened as the state methodically laid out what happened to jasmine pace, a 22 year old whose life was taken in November of 2022. And at the end of that trial, the jury I served on found Jason Chen guilty of first degree murder and abuse of a corpse. We found him guilty of stabbing Jasmine Pace 60 times, of placing her body inside a suitcase, and of discarding her on the banks of the Tennessee River. That is not easy to and it has never been easy to carry, but it is what the evidence showed for that brutal and horrendous crime. Jason Chen was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. And it is with this ruling that Judge Patterson denied Chen's request for a new trial. What that means simply is the original jury's verdict stands, the conviction stands, and the sentence life without the possibility of parole remains unchanged. News Channel 9 also reported that District Attorney Cody Womp said Jasmine's family has stayed with this case through every challenge for the last three and a half years.

[D]

News Channel nine's Lily Butler was in the courtroom and reports with the judge's ruling tonight.

[F]

Lily, Kim and Josh. District Attorney Cody Womp says Jasmine Pace's family has stuck with this trial through all of its challenges for the last three and a half years. Now today, Judge Boyd Patterson put to rest one last challenge. And Whomp says she thinks Jasmine would be proud to see her family and friends there in the courtroom one last time as well. A jury found Jason Chin guilty of stabbing Jasmine Pace to death and putting her body in a suitcase, and they sent him to prison for life with no chance of parole.

[C]

With this motion denied, Chen's legal options now move to the next step. His attorneys have 30 days to file an appeal if they choose to continue challenging the conviction in a higher court. As someone who sat in that jury box, who listened to the evidence, who watched Jasmine's family sit through the unimaginable, and who helped reach that verdict. This new ruling means that what happened in that courtroom in January of 2025 still holds. The verdict remains in place, the sentence remains in place, and Jasmine's name remains at the center of the story. We'll continue to follow this case and bring you any updates as they come. If you haven't heard Season one, the full story is available wherever you listen, and for coverage, clips and case updates, you can Visit [e-mail] I'm Sarah Reed. Thank you for being here, and thank you for listening.

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