Megan P. (14:10)

I'm Megan P. The wkrun.com alerts Ask with breaking news. A guilty verdict reached in the Jason Chen murder trial. This news coming in overnight from Chattanooga. According to wtbc, Chen is convicted of first degree murder, premeditated murder and abuse of a corpse and the death of his girlfriend. 22 year old Jasmine Pace was on trial for killing her and stuffing her body in a suitcase back in November of 2022. A jury took just 45 minutes of deliberation to reach that verdict. Those in the courtroom say there were audible sighs of relief from Pace's family once it was read. The judge says Chen will be sentenced this morning at 10:00.

Sarah Reed (14:50)

At 4:56pm less than one hour after we were excused to deliberate, we were already making our way back into the courtroom. 44 minutes. That's all it took. From start to finish. It took us 44 minutes to deliberate and decide on the charges we believed were suitable for Jason Chen's actions.

Juror 15 (15:15)

With respect to count one of present 1315228, we the jury find the defendant Jason Chen guilty of first degree premeditated murders.

Judge Patterson (15:25)

This is an emotional verdict. Everyone needs to maintain the quorum booth. Present jurors, if this is your individual verdict, please so indicate by raising your eyes. All right, sir, read count two.

Juror 15 (15:35)

With respect to count two of present 315228, we the jury find the defendant Jason Chen guilty of abuse of the courts.

Judge Patterson (15:43)

All right, President Julie, if this is your individual verdict, please so indicate by raising your eye. As a first juror sitting in this case, I do agree with jury's allegedly guilty and hereby pronouncing guilty of the first degree murder of Jasmine Face. This brings us to the sentencing phase of this particular matter. The jury will be asked to determine whether or not there's a presence of an aggravating factor. The store will cry proof. We're Going to do that tomorrow. So at this point, I've let the defense and the state put together the proof. If they want to put so on, then that'll be happening tomorrow morning. Again, can't talk about verdict with anyone. You're still a part of this case, so you must refrain from being exposed to any media and also must not talk about any sentencing matters or anything about this case with each other until back in the jury.

Sarah Reed (16:36)

We, the jury, had found Jason Chen guilty of first degree premeditated murder and abuse of a corpse. When the verdict was read, you could hear Jasmine's family exhale. There were audible gasps, maybe even a few whispered thank yous, and the kind of tears that come from holding your breath far too long. Judge Patterson gently hushed the room. It felt like a final moment, a heavy one. And even the word guilty echoed through that room. I knew this would never really be over for them. Nothing, we decided, could bring Jasmine back. Nothing could undo what had been done. Once the verdict was read, Judge Patterson responded with words I didn't fully understand at the time. He said, as the 13th juror, I agree with this verdict. I remember feeling reassured, like he was in agreement with our unanimous decision. It felt like validation. It wasn't until later that I understood what he meant. The judge acting as a 13th juror is responsible for determining whether the evidence supports the jury's verdict. It's a safeguard, a final layer of confirmation, if you will. And in that moment, it was as if he was telling us, you did your job, you got it right. But our role as jurors wasn't done yet. Because of the charge we had decided on, we still had one more decision to make. How long Jason Chen would remain behind bars. Judge Patterson announced to the courtroom that sentencing would take place the following day at 10am and court was dismissed for the evening. We walked out of that courthouse carrying the weight of what we had just done. It was quiet between us. No one said much. We still weren't really allowed to say much, but we knew we'd be back in less than 24 hours. The judge had made that much clear after such a heavy day. We made the much less weighty decision of opting to eat dinner at the hotel's restaurant rather than going out. None of us had the energy to be anywhere but close to our rooms. But when our van pulled into the hotel parking lot, we were stalled by the sight of our four alternates. They were packing their luggage and climbing into the other van and heading home to their families, their own beds, their normal lives. We would have just one more night in our hotel rooms because our role carried just one more responsibility. To decide if Jason Chen would ever be eligible for parole. Now it's Tuesday, January 21, 2025, day eight of the trial. We return to the courtroom one last time, our suitcases already packed and ready for departure. But before we could head home, we had just one more heavy decision to make. It was a strange, almost cruel juxtaposition to be preparing to go home, thinking of familiar comforts, our own beds, our families. Only after deciding how long Jason Chen would spend in his new home. For us, the end was in sight. But for him, today was the day he would learn his own fate. There was something chilling about the finality of it all, knowing that the same doors we would walk through to reclaim our freedom would close behind him, sealing him away from everything he once knew. This wasn't just the final day of his trial. It was the day his future would be decided. Today was sentencing day at 10am Judge Patterson began with a video connection to a translator, making sure everything was in place before we began. By 10:26, we learned that Jason Chen had chosen not to testify before his sentencing. We weren't in the courtroom during this exchange, but it felt significant. Up until that moment, Jason Chen had remained completely silent. In fact, the only two words the jury ever heard him say were not guilty twice. Two words spoken on the very first day of his trial. And then nothing. We were now eight days into this trial, and this was his moment, his final chance to speak on his own behalf, to offer explanations, apologies, justifications, anything. And he chose silence. Here's the moment he was posed with his choice. If you've been following the podcast, we've got something new for you. Now. You can dive even deeper into each episode on our website, SequesteredPod.com we've added exclusive blogs for every episode, packed with extra details, behind the scenes insights and key moments from the trial. Plus, we've organized all the trial and news coverage by each day of the trial so you can follow along just like we did in the jury room. Head over to SequesteredPod.com now to explore the case in a whole new way.

Travis Pace (22:56)

These far apartments tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but truth.

Sarah Reed (22:59)

Have you got? I do.

Joshua Weiss (23:02)

All right, Jason, you have the choice today of whether to testify or not testify is after talking with your attorney and you're going through your own thoughts, what is your decision of whether or not you want to testify?

Sarah Reed (23:21)

Not to testify? Yes, sir.

Judge Patterson (23:24)

That's why you Want to talk a little about how you talked about it with him?

Joshua Weiss (23:28)

Yes. So, Jason, we've met a number of times. We've talked about what your testimony would be. And you understand that even though you might have an opportunity to say your piece, that you would be subject to cross examination. And I've explained to you that the cross examination would probably be very intense and relentless. And by subjecting yourself to that, you can change the status of your case.

Sarah Reed (23:57)

Before Jason Chen's decision was finalized, there was an important legal step that had to happen in front of the judge. Defense attorney Joshua Weiss stood beside Jason and walked him through a formal confirmation process. I've learned that this is standard in criminal trials. Before a defendant waives their right to testify, the court needs to be absolutely certain that the decision is being made knowingly, voluntarily, and without pressure from anyone else. Weiss asked Jason a series of direct questions. Had he discussed this decision thoroughly? Did he understand the consequences? Was this entirely his choice? Only after Jason clearly stated that he was making this choice of his own volition did the court move forward. Mr. Weiss confirmed Jason's decision not to testify.

Joshua Weiss (24:54)

Whatever it is that your decision is, it is a personal decision that only you can make. Have you had enough time to consult with me, talk about whether or not go over the benefits and detriments of testifying?

Sarah Reed (25:08)

Yes.

Joshua Weiss (25:11)

Are you deciding not to testify on your own volition?

Sarah Reed (25:15)

Yes.

Joshua Weiss (25:16)

And that's what your personal decision is?

Sarah Reed (25:19)

Yes. That exchange might have sounded routine, but in reality, it carried tremendous weight with each yes. Jason Chen was sealing his fate, choosing silence over explanation, and placing his future entirely in the hands of his attorneys and the evidence already presented. From that moment forward, the jury would never hear from him directly. No justifications, no explanations, only the defense that had been built on his behalf. Another thing I found interesting, something I learned after the fact, was that technically, Jason Chen should have been seated in court that morning wearing his prison issued attire. He was, after all, a guilty man. Now, the jury was out of the courtroom during this exchange, but Da Whomp made a point of bringing it up to the judge that morning. I hadn't considered it at the time, especially since we weren't even supposed to know he was in custody during the trial. That's why he wore professional attire throughout the trial, though. To present the appearance of a free, innocent man. It was all about perception. The suits, the neatly combed hair, the calm, calculated demeanor. Of course, innocent until proven guilty, right? But looking back, I can see why Da Whomp would have brought it up. He wasn't the same man standing trial for innocence or guilt anymore. That decision had already been made. He was now a convicted murderer. And somehow letting him maintain that polished, composed appearance felt like one last manipulation. Alright, now back to our seats in the jury box and back to the gravity of what we were being asked to do. Only this time, we weren't deciding whether Jason was guilty. We had already done that. Now we are being asked to decide how long he should stay behind bars. The state was asking for the harshest sentence allowed under Tennessee law. Life in prison without the possibility of parole. You know, during sequestration, I had a lot of time to think. And honestly, I kept wishing I had a speaker so that I could just listen to a great book. That's why I love audiobooks. Whether I'm driving, walking the dogs or traveling, I can just press play and get lost in an amazing story anytime and anywhere. One of my all time favorites is New York by Edward Rutherford. This epic historical novel spans over 400 years, following generations of families through this city's most pivotal moments, from its Dutch settlement days and all the way to 9 11. It was one of the first audiobooks I had ever listened to. It felt like the narrator was reading the story just for me. I was completely hooked. Here's some good news. You can listen to New York or any other book for free. Audible is giving sequestered listeners a free audiobook with a 30 day trial. Just go to audibletrial.com sequestered that's one free book, yours to keep forever. So find something you love and get listening. Go to audibletrial.com sequestered and then the room shifted again as Jason Chen's mother, Xu Fang Chen, was called to the stand. She spoke through a translator, painting a picture of her son as a good, quiet child, a student, a boy who waited late at night for his parents to return from their restaurant business. She talked about how hard he worked in school and how he knew right from wrong. And then she broke down. She began to sob. Her voice cracked. She looked each of us in the eyes and begged for the jury to give her son a chance to do what's right, to come home, to start over. And in that moment, for the first time during the entire trial, we saw Jason Chen cry. His own mother's pain finally moved something in him.

Joshua Weiss (30:08)

Was he a violent child?

Travis Pace (30:23)

He never fights with school, never fight with anyone. He knows right from wrong. And I told him that mom doesn't know English and cannot know many things. He said that I will study hard and I Know.

Sarah Reed (30:46)

Over and over again, she pleaded for mercy, asking for parole, asking for a future. She even asked Jasmine's family to somehow allow for that future. But the weight of what had happened couldn't be softened with apologies. It was hard to digest. You really have to turn your emotions off and just allow for input. Here's a clip of Latricia Thomas from News Channel 9.

Latricia Thomas (31:18)

The defense attorney, Joshua Weiss was asking Ms. Chin, do you have anything to say to the family of Jasmine Pace? And instead of addressing them, she kept addressing the jury, asking them to give Jason Chin the possibility of parole. They switched trans translators. They actually called an aunt on the phone. And Ms. Chin gave basically the same answer. When asked what she wanted to say to the Pace family, she did very shortly say, I hope that the Pace family gives him another chance. But of course, in this situation, it's up to the jury to decide the sentence. So what sentences could they decide? Here we know that that Jason Chin was convicted yesterday of premeditated first degree murder and abuse of a corpse. So the state is seeking life in prison without parole. But according to the judge's instructions to the jury before these witness impact statements began, he said that their choices here are life in prison with parole or life in prison without parole. And he went through some of the things that they had to decide about if they were true or not to give him life in prison without parole, one of them being that the act was particularly heinous. They can also take into consideration any past criminal history he may have. So at some point today, the jury will go and deliberate on a sentence, and those are the two choices there.

Jacqueline (32:54)

Now.

Latricia Thomas (32:54)

Oh, and one thing also to mention, during his mother's testimony, this was the first visible emotion that we've seen from Jason Chen during this trial. Now, it is difficult to see exactly what his face is showing, but this is our first observable sign that he's showing emotion in the courtroom as he started crying and wiping his eyes as his mother was testifying, saying he is a good kid who made a mistake. Mistake. He studies hard. They said that their life is difficult in the United States because they don't speak English and they run a restaurant. And Jason was at home a lot on his own while they were running that restaurant. Again, she asked the jury repeatedly to give him the possibility of parole after 51 years so he could have a second chance. So again, the first visible emotion we've seen on our livestream and from our crews in the courtroom during this trial.

Sarah Reed (33:59)

If I'm honest, this was one of the most difficult moments of the trial, watching Jason's mom beg for her son's life. There was something so raw about it, so human, and there was this added layer of complexity that made it feel even heavier. Jason's parents are both Chinese immigrants and don't speak English. This was the first time a translator had been provided for them, the first moment Xufeng Chen could fully communicate her pain and desperation. I'd seen her throughout the trial, sitting faithfully in the second row behind her son. I even remember seeing her on the first day of jury selection, sitting in the back row just behind me. I've seen her lovely and devastated face for weeks now, and I often wondered what this whole ordeal must have been like for her to sit through an entire trial spoken in a language she didn't understand, watching as the evidence against her son was projected onto screens and laid out on the courtroom floor. Evidence she couldn't fully grasp. Though I'm sure she figured out what it was. I wondered how much of the awful details she learned only after sitting through it all. And now, looking into the faces of the strangers who deliberated on the fate of her son without ever truly knowing what was being said, I couldn't help but feel sad for her, for the way she must have felt so isolated. But no matter how much I wanted to make room for her pain, it couldn't change what had been done to Jasmine. And that conflict was hard to reconcile. Then it was Jasmine's family's turn to speak. After the deeply emotional translated statements from Jason's mother came the victim impact statements. Jasmine's older sister, Gabrielle, took the stand first. Everyone calls her Gabby, and she carried the voice of someone who knew Jasmine inside and out, not just as a sister, but as someone who had survived unimaginable loss right alongside of her. Gabby reminded us that Jasmine had endured more heartache in her short life than most people do in a lifetime. She spoke of loss after loss, grief that had stacked upon itself like weights Jasmine was somehow forced to carry. Their brother lost in a tragic ATV accident. A cousin taken by Covid, their other cousin, claimed by another accident. And just hours before her own murder, her beloved grandmother, a woman who had helped raise her, her best friend, her safe place, passed away suddenly after a long battle with cancer. The grief was relentless, and yet Jasmine somehow kept going still, through all of it, Jasmine remained full of life. Not only that, she remained full of love. Gabby said.

Jacqueline (37:23)

Through all of the trauma.

Travis Pace (37:24)

That Jazzy had endured, she still had the most beautiful aura and soul. She never gave up on people and she never gave up on herself, no matter how hard or how busy. She always made time for family and friends because it was the most important thing to her. She had every reason to be bitter or cold hearted, but instead chose to be warm and full of love.

Sarah Reed (37:50)

Jasmine loved hard. She dreamed of being a mom one day. It was one of her deepest desires. And in the meantime, she was already a proud and devoted mom to her four cats. Gabby said they were her world and she doted on them like children, spoiling them with affection, treats and attention. But Jasmine's love extended far beyond her pets. Gabby painted a vivid picture of who her sister truly was, Someone with a joyful, mischievous spirit and an unbreakable bond with her family. She was a jokester, a best friend, the one who could make you laugh until your sides hurt. She was the kind of person who got a panda tattoo just because it made her smile, not because it was trendy or meaningful in some profound way, but simply because it brought her joy. Jasmine kept two entire dresser drawers filled with candy. Not just because she loved sweets, though she definitely did, but because she loved to spoil her nieces and nephews. It was her way of bringing them happiness, of showing her love. And then Gabby brought us to the casket, to the moment she had to say goodbye to her sister in a way no one should ever, ever have to. Her voice cracked as she described it. The anguish of looking down at Jasmine, knowing she'll never hear her laugh again, never see her smile again. And all I could think was how wrong it all felt. How all of that love Jasmine had for her family, for her pets, for her life, had all been snatched away in the most brutal and senseless way.

Travis Pace (39:39)

I'll never forget standing at my sister's casket and seeing how much wax they had to put on her face and how much mascara was smudged all underneath her eyes and how her hair was stiff from the wax. I held my sister's hand one last time, not even knowing that it was the hand that stepped. I fixed her hair and her necklace again, not knowing that she had wounds there. I'll never forget the overbearing part that God felt about what he had done to my sister. The overwhelming anger and disgust I felt that someone could do this and not have any remorse for what they had done.

Sarah Reed (40:27)

Gabby said their family has relived those final moments of Jasmine's life for two years, over and over, the horror replaying like a broken record in their minds. Every time they picture her terrified, alone, they imagine her fighting for her Life struggling against the unthinkable. They imagine her calling out for help that would never come. And the worst part? These moments aren't just memories. They're nightmares her family wakes up to every single day. The unanswered questions, the haunting images that refuse to fade. For them, Jasmine's death isn't just a tragedy. It's a wound that keeps reopening. A wound that may never fully heal.

Travis Pace (41:19)

The thought of was there something more I could have done constantly? Or in still my head, I love my sister dearly and I demand that she gets justice, that she is deserved.

Sarah Reed (41:33)

Next, Jasmine's cousin, Jacqueline took the stand. And from the moment she walked up, everyone in the courtroom could see she was carrying something. In her hands, she held an empty vase. She gripped it tightly, as if the weight of what it symbolized was almost too much to bear. Jacqueline set the clear vase on the corner of the witness stand closest to the jury box and pulled out a bag of blue and clear glass stones. One at a time, she began dropping a glass stone into the vase until the bag was emptied. When she spoke, her voice was steady but strained. Each stone, she explained, represented a single stab wound. 60 wounds. The jar wasn't just a prop, it was a testament, a visual representation of brutality. It forced us to confront the reality of what had been done to Jasmine. Not just through words or photographs, but through something tangible, something heavy, something real. As Jacqueline spoke, the stones inside the jar shifted with the slightest movement. The soft, unsettling sound of them bumping against each other in the glass jar seemed to echo through the silence in the room. It was impossible to look away, impossible to Forget.

Jacqueline (43:02)

All right, Ms. W. You ready?

Joshua Weiss (43:04)

Yes.

Jacqueline (43:04)

Will you state your name for the record?

Travis Pace (43:05)

Die home life.

Jacqueline (43:07)

Can you describe for the jury your relationship with Jasmine Pace?

Travis Pace (43:10)

She was my long cousin.

Latricia Thomas (43:11)

Okay.

Jacqueline (43:12)

Are you ready to read your statement?

Travis Pace (43:14)

I will try.

Latricia Thomas (43:15)

All right.

Travis Pace (43:15)

Thank you. 60 stones hurled this jar. One to represent every spad wound found on my beautiful, innocent 23 year old cousin. For two years and two months, I have thought of this very moment. The moment I would have the chance to confront the subhuman villain sitting among us. His mere presence defiles us very court. And I am so sorry for everyone here that has had the unfortunate fate of having to cross paths with him. Thank you. To everyone that dedicated hours time away from their families, blood, sweat, tears and trauma to ensure that whatever justice could be given to my family would be had.

Sarah Reed (43:59)

Jacqueline's voice didn't waver. She looked at each of us in the eye and asked us who remember the autopsy photos. But more than that, she asked us to go beyond the sterile, clinical images we'd been shown. She wanted us to imagine something more personal, something more painful. She asked us to replace Jasmine's face with someone we loved. A daughter, a sister, a best friend. Then to picture them enduring the same violence and the same terror that Jasmine did. To imagine the agony of losing them in such a brutal and senseless way. Because only then, she said, could we begin to grasp the scope of their loss. But Jacqueline didn't stop there. She didn't just tell us about Jasmine's death. She wanted us to understand Jasmine's life. Who she was, what she loved, the kindness she poured into the people around her. She described Jasmine as a warm, generous soul. A girl who hugged with intention, not because it was polite, but because she meant it. Because connection mattered to her. She was playful and kind, the kind of person who tattooed a sleepy panda on her wrist, as Gabby said, simply because it made her smile. Because she found joy in the little things. She was thoughtful, too. The type of person who would go out of her way to bring happiness to someone she cared about. Jacqueline told us about a Starbucks cup that Jasmine ordered for her online as soon as it was mentioned in a conversation. A simple, thoughtful gift, the kind of gesture that seemed small but spoke volumes about Jasmine's heart. That Starbucks cup. It arrived the same day. They were saying goodbye to their grandmother at the hospital. As Jacqueline shared that detail, her voice cracked. It was another piece of Jasmine's kindness delivered far too late, a reminder of how much had been lost.

Travis Pace (46:15)

I can still picture how she greeted you. She would smile, dimples intact, outstretched her arms to hug you. And not because of etiquette or decorum. It wasn't the fake one. Armed, I'm gonna pat you on the back because I'm supposed to. It was genuine. She meant it. The cliche she lit up a room is fitting for her. I often think of the last time that I hugged her. She was crying, she was hurting. And she still thought of everyone around her and their well being. What a lot of you don't know is hours before Jasmine was murdered, we were all together saying goodbye to our beloved Granny. It was not expected. She woke up not feeling well. That day, she went to the emergency room and was dead by that evening. We used to have a joke about who Granny's favorite was. Jazzy always had the trump card because Granny named her restaurant after her. To say we were all close is an understatement. She was the glue that held us all together. It was a devastating loss.

Sarah Reed (47:25)

Jacqueline described that day at the hospital, their last day with Jasmine's beloved Granny. How Jasmine, even in her own grief, was still caring for others, still making sure everyone else was okay. She was the kind of person who, even on one of the hardest days of her life, was still trying to keep family traditions alive, still thinking of Thanksgiving, still planning, still hoping. Even as her heart was breaking, she was reaching out, offering comfort, when she was the one who probably needed it the most. But then came the silence, the unanswered texts, the calls that went straight to voicemail. And then she spoke of an hour and 12 minutes where no one knows what Jason Chen was doing. That space, an agonizing gap in time, has haunted Jacqueline ever since. The questions echo in her mind. What was happening to jasmine during those 72 minutes? What thoughts went through her head? Was she afraid? Was she fighting? Was she already gone? It's that silence, that horrible, unrelenting silence that keeps Jacqueline awake at night. Because unanswered questions don't just fade away. They grow louder. They fester. And in that courtroom, as Jacqueline described those missing minutes, you could feel her desperation, her need for answers, answers that would never come.

Travis Pace (49:05)

I texted her at 8:49 the morning after we lost Granny. I asked her if she was okay. He responded, I just need some time alone. After everything that happened, I have so many questions that torture my mind. One of them is, what were you doing for the hour and 12 minutes before you pretended to be the girl you murdered and responded to her family concern for her?

Sarah Reed (49:35)

And still, somehow, Jacqueline found empathy for Chen's mother. She said she prays for her, acknowledged that his actions didn't just destroy Jasmine's family, they destroyed his own. Jacqueline looked around at her family and said she hardly recognizes them. Grief has changed their DNA. It's woven itself into every future holiday celebration and milestone. They've been given a life sentence, she said, and Jason Chen should have the same.

Travis Pace (50:12)

We have a life sentence of pain due to Jason Chin's actions. We will never wake up and have a chance to put this behind us. It will be with us every single day until we leave this earth. It is embedded in our DNA. He should have the same life sentence we bear. He should never be allowed to leave prison and start his life over or put this behind him.

Sarah Reed (50:40)

Next. In a moment that brought the courtroom to complete, complete stillness, Jacqueline read from Jasmine's journal. She read Jasmine's words to her stepfather, her grief over the loss of her brother, Austin and then an entry she wrote to her grandmother, the one who was battling cancer. The words were raw, personal. Finally, Jasmine's father, Travis Pace, stepped forward. He spoke of her childhood milestones, her gift for language, and her dreams of attending business school in Chicago. But his voice broke when he mentioned something all of the family members had shared. Jasmine losing her 14 year old brother when she was just 16. A tragic ATV accident that shattered their world. Here's what Travis shared.

Gabrielle Pace (51:41)

She had a 14 year old brother, younger brother, and the type of person that Jasmine was. She heard about the wreck on a four wheeler. That her brother was hurt. She was the first on the scene. She laid in a grass field holding her 14 year old brother and stayed with him through all the surgeries. She didn't make it, but she was the one in the room holding the hand. The amount of courage that it takes to lay in the field with your brother. Remarkable.

Sarah Reed (52:32)

Then Travis Pace spoke about the impact of Jasmine's murder. How it rippled far beyond a single generation. He described a wound that stretched across their entire family. One that would scar not only those who knew Jasmine, but those who would only ever hear stories of her. The loss was permanent and. And the damage was generational.

Gabrielle Pace (52:59)

It's not like Jasmine was the only person we lost. We lost our children, we lost our grandchildren. The entire family tree has been cut bail. It will not just affect us for 50 years, for the next thousands of generations, we will no longer have that peace of our family.

Sarah Reed (53:41)

The courtroom went quiet as we took a short recess. When the jury returned, Jason Chen's father, Min Yong Chen, spoke briefly. His words were quieter, simpler. Through a translator, he spoke to the Pace family. We understand your hurt, and we are so sorry for your loss. It was a gesture of remorse. And I understood why the defense made the call to do so. But it felt small against the weight of everything that had been said. Judge Patterson then gave us our new jury instructions for sentencing. The lawyers approached the bench, and General Cody Womp stepped to the podium for the last time. Before she began, Judge Patterson provided two final pieces of information for the sentencing phase. The first, Jason chen is a U.S. citizen. And the second, he has no significant criminal history. I'm going to play this next clip in its entirety so you can experience it like we did in the courtroom that morning.

Jacqueline (54:53)

Child's decision. What do you think? Should he have the ability to get out of prison? Is the question that you now have to ask yourself. We're not going to go back through the proof. You've heard it. You know it Very, very well.

Sarah Reed (55:13)

But I do want to talk to.

Jacqueline (55:14)

You for a second about life without the possibility of parole. In the legal system, we refer to it as lwop.

Travis Pace (55:20)

The state of Tennessee is not always.

Jacqueline (55:22)

Entitled to seek lies without the possibility of parole. You've heard now that there have to be aggravating circumstances present for the state to even ask a jury to find life without the possibility of parole. In this case, it's very simple. Tennessee state law allows life without the possibility of parole if the murder was especially heinous or atrocious or cruel in that it involved torture or serious physical abuse beyond that necessary to produce death. And then it goes on to define those terms. I hate that I even have to say this, but if he was going to kill her like he did, he could have done it in other ways. He could have killed her in other ways where we would not be here for this sentencing hearing. If you would have shot her and left her in his apartment, we wouldn't be here for life without the possibility of parole. It doesn't qualify under this aggravating circumstance. If you would have stabbed her once or twice and left her in his apartment, we wouldn't be here. It doesn't qualify under this aggravating circumstance. He chose not to do that. He chose repeatedly the amount of stones that were in that glass vase to stab her and slice her, and then he chose more physical abuse. I think we can all agree that stuffing her in garbage bags in a suitcase is additional physical abuse on top of what was necessary to kill her. The medical examiner said that she could have lived for minutes, that even the wound to the neck would not have instantly killed her. That is heinous and atrocious and beyond what was necessary to kill her. That is cruel. That is vile. The entire case is vile. I feel terrible for Jason's family. It is very sad to see his mom up there on that wooden stand. Shame on him. He didn't just do this to Tasman's family. It is horrible to watch that he did it to his own family. I can't even fathom what they must feel like. But I want you to ask yourself something. Did you see or feel legitimate, genuine remorse for the Pace family? Did you? Does it make it better that he was privileged, that he had parents and a brother that cared about him? That he's been a, quote, good kid? He was a good child. No mental health conditions we've heard about, no issues? He was a student. Does that make it better or does that make it worse? I think that Makes it a lot worse. Because there are kids in our communities that have hard lives, that struggle with drugs, with mental health issues, that grew up in bad homes, that had hard, hard life. That's not him. He took everything his family had given him and he squandered it, and he ruined the Pace's life. That doesn't make it better. It makes it worse. All we are asking is that he never gets out of prison. Jasmine Pace never got out of that suitcase until she was in a coffin in which her family members had to testify today that there had to be so much wax on her body, she was unworthy. Not today. That is heinous and atrocious and cruel, period. Just like yesterday. We ask that you go back there, talk about it, make the right decision, and make sure he never gets out of prison.

Sarah Reed (59:18)

Thank you. District Attorney Cody Womp reminded us of something chilling. Jasmine never got out of the suitcase until she was in a coffin. What Jason did, she said, wasn't just murder. It was heinous, atrocious, and cruel. The defense, meanwhile, has asked for mercy. They painted a picture of Jason as an old man, 73 years old, harmless, regretful, deserving of redemption. There are two versions of Jason Chen here, two competing realities. And we were left to decide which one would shape his future.

Joshua Weiss (60:03)

You sat through a long trial, and I know there's things I think the state's right. You saw things that you won't forget. I won't forget. I want to tell each and every one of you, thank you for your time, your patience, your consideration. If you're tasked with a. A profound and somber responsibility in this part of the trial, you get to decide whether Jason gets life with parole or never be released. Both options are severe and a significant punishment. I think it reflects the. The seriousness of the case. But it's critical that you remember that every tragic crime has equal magnitude under the law. Your duty today is not to ensure punishment. It's to make sure. It's also. I've spoken with many victims families. They don't care if you're shot or stabbed or strangled or drowned or any of one of those things. Every single murder is especially heinous, atrocious, and cruel. General Moyle talked to you about that yesterday. Every murder is emotional, everything. There's always a family that loses someone. General Wamp is right. The Pace and the Bean family lost a very important person. That's tragic, sad. I agree. The Chen family have lost a child, too. There's two families hurting. It's important to know that the law distinguishes crimes that are inherently tragic with those that rise to the most egregious levels of brutality, deserving permanent condemnation. Question you must ask yourself when you're back in that jury room is whether or not this case reaches that threshold, does it rise to the level that Jason Chen, a 73 year old man, be forever denied an opportunity to demonstrate remorse, rehabilitation and redemption?

Sarah Reed (62:24)

With that, court was recessed once again for deliberations. But first, we ventured out as a group for lunch one final time. We enjoyed the walk, the warmth of the sun on our faces, and the moment of normalcy after days of heaviness. We'd been to this place before, earlier in the week, anchors on Broad Street. They already had our tables reserved for us. Everyone ordered and shared one last meal together. It was simple, sweet, a small gesture of closure for a group of strangers brought together by tragedy. Jurors, deputies, a brief, fragile community bound by something none of us would ever forget. With full bellies and a final task at hand, we made our way back to the courthouse, back into the jury room for one last deliberation. We took our customary bathroom break, and once everyone was seated, the foreman put it to a vote. Just like the day before, a couple of jurors hesitated on the charge of life without the possibility of parole. And just like the day before, I couldn't confidently raise my hand. Not yet. I needed to be sure. I needed to speak, to discuss, to make sense. Sense of the weight of what we were about to decide. The air in the room felt different this time, heavier, oddly, as if we all understood that this was the true end, that what we decided in these moments would reverberate for decades. If Jason were given life with the possibility of parole, he would be 73 years old when his first opportunity for release would come. That would be 51 years from now. The idea of it stuck in my mind, circling over and over. I remember speaking out loud, as much to the others as to myself. 51 years. That's more than an entire lifetime. For Jasmine, it's more than twice as long as she ever had on this earth. The room was quiet, listening, weighing, processing. If we decide on parole, then 51 years from now, Jason Chen could walk free. He could breathe fresh air, rebuild his life, and make new memories. But Jasmine will still be gone 51 years from now. Her family will still be grieving her loss decades later. They don't get a second chance. I could feel the weight of those words settling over the room. And in that moment, something clicked for me. This wasn't about revenge. It was about justice. A justice that matched the gravity of what had been taken away. And with that clarity, I felt that I could confidently raise my hand when it came time to vote again. It didn't take long and the decision was made. We spent a few more minutes in silence, letting it settle, making sure we were sure it wasn't rushed, it wasn't hasty, but it was unanimous. At 2:29pm Jason Chen was brought back into the courtroom. And three minutes later, our verdict was read.

Juror 15 (66:09)

With respect to the sentence of the defendant Jason CHEN on count one of presentment 315228, we the jury do unanimously find the following statutory aggravating circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt in that the murder was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel, and that it involved torture or serious physical abuse beyond that necessary to produce death and do unanimously agree the defendant's sentence, Shelby, life imprisonment without the possibility of correct.

Judge Patterson (66:43)

Jurors, if this is your individual verdict, please, some mistake by raising your right hand, indicate that all right hands are raised. Jurors, this concludes it may seem like two years ago that we first met. It's only two weeks ago, but as you can tell, this is a very important case for both sides of this community. On behalf of everyone here in Hamilton county, please accept my sincere gratitude for the sacrifice that you've made away from your life in front of this.

Sarah Reed (67:16)

There you have it. Jason Chen would spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole. It didn't feel victorious. It didn't feel like a win, but it felt necessary. We had done our part. We listened, we questioned, we deliberated, and now we had delivered our verdicts. It felt like the right decision, but it didn't feel like relief, not really. As I walked out of the courthouse for the final time, the sun was still shining. People were still walking their dogs, grabbing coffee and going about their lives. But for Jasmine's family, for all of us who sat through those nine days, life was not returning to normal. Justice had been served in the eyes of the law. But the story and the pain that the pace and bean families went through wasn't over. Next time on Sequestered, we'll look at what happened after the verdict. I was interviewed by Latricia Thomas of News Channel 9 about the deliberations.

Latricia Thomas (68:35)

For the first time, we're hearing what went into their decision to convict him of premeditated first degree murder and sentence him to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Sarah Reed (68:47)

And we catch up with General Cody Womp and General Paul Moyle now two months after the trial. Stick with us. I've got a lot more to share on this. Thank you for listening to Sequestered A Juror's perspective on the murder trial for Jasmine Pace. Each episode brings us closer to understanding the trial, the people involved, and the weight of seeking justice. If this story speaks to you, please follow, share and continue the conversation with us. Jasmine's story deserves to be remembered. This is a BP production. The show is written, edited and produced by me, Sarah Reed with co production by Andrea Clyde. News clips featured in this episode were sourced From WTVC News, Channel 9, Local 3 News Chattanooga and the Law and Crime Network. Music and sound design are curated to reflect the gravity and sensitivity of this story and with the intent to honor Jasmine, her family and the community affected by her death. For more information or to connect with us, visit sequesteredpod. Or follow us on Instagram at Sequestered Pot. Thank you for listening. Until next time, stay curious and stay safe.