Loading summary
Sarah Reed
Hey, it's Sarah, juror number 11 from the sequestered podcast. Here's exciting news. Dateline NBC has just released a new episode titled the pin at apartment 210. In this episode, Dateline correspondent Blaine Alexander explores the investigation, the trial, and the key moments that define the search for justice in the murder of Jasmine Pace. If you've been listening to Sequestered, you know how personal this case became for me. I had the opportunity to briefly share about my experience as a juror in this episode, and I feel incredibly honored to be a part of something that helps amplify Jasmine's story on a national level. 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. Now streaming on Peacock. You can watch this episode of Dateline tonight or anytime you want. So check it out and help us continue to honor Jasmine Pace's memory. Go to peacocktv.com to start your free trial. Welcome to the final episode of Sequestered. A juror's perspective on the murder trial for Jasmine Pace. Face. I'm Sarah, juror number 11, and I can't believe we're here. This journey began months ago, but it feels like it's been a lifetime. In January 2025, I was chosen to serve on the jury for the state of Tennessee versus Jason Chen. And what I expected to be a civic duty became a profound, life altering experience. This case has been like a gravitational force, something I couldn't shake even after the verdict was delivered. From the moment I returned home to Nashville, it was like my mind and my heart couldn't leave Chattanooga behind. I was home for less than a day before my co producer Andrea and I were writing and recording the trailer for this podcast. And just three days later, we were driving back to Chattanooga to retrace Jasmine's steps to see the places that had only been described to us in court. Sometimes a force so immense comes into your life and you just have to step into its current. This felt like a giant ship pulled up alongside of me and I just climbed aboard without hesitation. Saying yes to this journey was like stepping onto that ship and committing fully to wherever it would take me. I mean, I could have opted out. I could have found a way to avoid serving on the jury or even walked away once the trial was over. But something deeper pushed me forward. It felt like all of this aligned for a reason. And saying yes wasn't just a decision. It was a commitment. A commitment to Jasmine's story. A commitment to honoring her life. This experience has reshaped my perspective in ways I never anticipated. I'll share a lot about that in this episode. And now, as we close out this podcast, we're going to explore the journey we've taken together today. We'll dive into the questions you, our listeners, have asked. Along the way, we'll revisit key moments and share insights from a couple of my fellow jurors, journalist Latricia Thomas from News Channel 9, and a conversation we had with District Attorneys Cody Wamp and Paul Moyle. It's a special episode that we hope resonates with you. This is Sequestered A Juror's perspective on the Murder trial For Jasmine Pace, I'm Sarah, juror number 11. Each episode I'll take you inside the courtroom, behind the scenes, and into the weighty moments of this trial as we honor Jasmine's life and navigate the complexities of seeking justice. Let's begin. This is episode 10. After the verdict, leaving Chattanooga felt surreal. My world had shifted on its axis. I had spent nine days so deeply entrenched in the details of Jasmine's death and life. And then suddenly, it was over. The case was finished, but nothing felt resolved. I returned home, but life didn't snap back to normal. Everything had changed. Instead of unwinding, I felt compelled to throw myself into this project. Almost immediately, there was this urgency, like if we didn't start piecing everything together now, the details would slip away forever. I'd been journaling in my hotel room during the trial, trying to capture everything I could, but most of my notes were kept in a notebook that I was required to leave at the courthouse. I took a lot of notes throughout the trial. Pages and pages of details, timelines, testimonies. I had no idea those notebooks would be collected and locked away as soon as the trial ended. That was a huge loss for me, but thankfully the trial had been live streamed and even more thankfully, I had people back home in Nashville watching it in real time every single day. One of those people was Andrea, my co producer. When I told her I was going to be on a sequestered jury, she was immediately hooked on the case and ended up watching the entire trial online as it was happening each day, taking all of her own notes along the way. The realization that this might become a podcast hit me like a lightning bolt. On day four of the trial. In the evening, I was sitting in my hotel room working on this ridiculous miniature house of a greenhouse garden, a Christmas gift I'd received years ago. It's this delicate model building project with thousands of pieces, tiny plants, paper rugs, doll sized furniture. Think building a model plane or assembling a ship in a bot. Something that would take hundreds of hours of solitude to complete. Perfect for a 1014 day sequestration, right? I was deep into assembling some little detail when it happened. My hands stopped, the tiny paper rug between my fingers fell to the table and I heard myself say out loud, oh my God, we have to do a podcast about this. It felt like a switch flipped, like my brain had suddenly connected all the pieces I'd been holding. I shot up grabbe notebook and wrote down the words Sequestered a Podcast from a Juror's Perspective it wasn't until after listening to DA Wamp's closing statement that the title became what it is A Juror's Perspective on the Murder Trial. For Jasmine Pace, this wasn't just about processing what had happened to me, to Jasmine, to her family, to the community. It was about honoring her story, about refusing to let her name fade away. As we drove back to Chattanooga to visit the sites from the trial, we saw them through fresh eyes. We stopped at each of the places mentioned 110 Tremont St. 900 Mountain Creek Road, Walmart and Walgreens, and of course, Suck Creek Road. Standing in each place, we tried to absorb the atmosphere and tried to understand the perspective of Jasmine's story that each space held. The trailer for this podcast had practically spilled out of us. We had so much to talk about, me experiencing it from the inside and Andrea watching it from the outside. We both had two entirely different perspectives of this case. The two hour drive back to Nashville became a brainstorm session. We mapped out episodes, sketched ideas, and decided how we wanted to tell this story. We had this grandiose plan of writing and recording all the episodes in quick succession, releasing them while the trial was still fresh on everyone's mind. But we quickly realized how much effort each episode not only demanded, but deserved. And what started as a seemingly simple project turned into something we poured our whole hearts into. Instead of batch recording 10 episodes for quick release, we ended up devoting over 40 hours a week each to researching, writing, editing, producing, blogging, and building a place for Jasmine's story to be shared. It's just the two of us aligned with a deep passion for this case and for ensuring Jasmine's story is known and heard. I have experience in the podcast industry, but I've never done a podcast like this before. This time of sequestration has changed my life though, and I felt compelled to share my unique perspective of this experience. And now here we are, the final episode. Nearly three months since the day I walked into my first day of jury selection, and I feel like I'm only beginning to understand the weight of it all. Many of you have reached out with thoughtful, heartfelt questions. I've tried to gather them into some common themes. And I think a natural place to start is with the emotional toll this case took, not just on Jasmine's family and loved ones, but on everyone connected to the trial. Shortly after I returned from Chattanooga, I had the chance to sit down with Latricia Thomas from News Channel 9. She had interviewed me for the network, but once the cameras were off, I was able to ask her a few questions of my own. One of them was about the community impact and what this case meant to the people of Chattanooga. Latricia had covered this case for over two years. Not only that, she had reported on every detail of the trial as it was happening for each of the nine days it was broadcast. Needless to say, she had a lot of context on this case, and that was my biggest curiosity. I loved her answer.
Latricia Thomas
Chad and Nugens had been following this case since Jasmine's body was found, so for more than two years. And I think there was so much, just so many eyes on it because they wanted to see what really happened to her, and they wanted to see if the family felt like they got justice in the end because the family had been so vocal in the beginning trying to look for her, trying to find her, trying to get, you know, the police to back them up. And so I think that really touched a lot of people's hearts and minds in Chattanooga and wanted to see how it played out. This story captivated Chattanooga because Jasmine was so young. Jasmine had all these friends and family speaking out for her, looking for her, and then just the gruesome way that she died and was found. Thankfully, it doesn't happen often, and to have such a young life end in such a tragic and horrible way, I think everybody wants it to mean something in the end, if at all it. To have a conclusion in a way that you can rest a little easier at night knowing all of those graphic details, you know, there was a conclusion and a story that was just so hard to hear and hard to talk about.
Sarah Reed
The way Latricia described it, the intensity of the community's concern, the emotional investment, it struck me. It made me realize how many people outside of that courtroom were waiting and watching, hoping for answers and for justice. It was clear to See, the reach of this case extended far beyond the courthouse walls. Of course, it had impacted Jasmine's family and friends, but also her entire community. I've been able to stay in touch with many of the jurors after the trial, and some have graciously volunteered to share their thoughts and voice memos. Here's juror number eight sharing a summary of his experience serving on this jury.
Juror Number 8
Serving on this jury was a really sober and humbling experience. Everyone in the gallery was reliving one of the most traumatic experiences of their lives in excruciating detail. And then everyone not in the gallery was really patient with us as they explained the most elementary concepts of criminal procedure and explained all the details of a case they had been working on for over two years. For probably the hundredth time, the decision we made was straightforward, but it was solemn. And several of the more compassionate members of the jury cried just about the situation that we were in.
Sarah Reed
It affected us each in different ways. Some of us carried it like a weight we couldn't shake, while others tried to compartmentalize the experience and just get through the day. Processing something like this is messy and imperfect, and we all felt it. Juror number one described his experience like this.
Juror Number 8
While the trial was going on, I didn't have super strong emotions about the details of the case themselves. Even with some of the more intense testimony, like the medical examiner, it sort of felt like I was clocked into work, and I really didn't have time to sort of process emotionally what I was seeing. It wasn't until after I got home and sort of spent some time by myself for the first time in two weeks that I began to sort of process everything that had happened. I actually realized this as I was driving to work the day after we returned, and I sort of started to get a little choked up on the drive. And then after getting to work, when the first person asked me how the trial was, I kind of broke down and started to cry. I tried to hold it together as best I could, but I was a little teary. And so my co workers told me they would just handle the rest of my caseload for the day, since they'd already planned on me being away for the full two weeks and that I should just go home and take some time to. To process it all.
Sarah Reed
People have asked me how I've been able to process everything after this, how I was able to see all of that graphic detail or carry the weight of the responsibility, and I think the simple answer is, I haven't. Not entirely processing Something like this isn't a task you can complete or cross off a list. It's something you carry and revisit over and over. And the people connected to this case feel its weight in different ways and at varying degrees. I've learned a lot about myself throughout this process. I mean, what a wild experience I went through. There's no way I could be the same person after something like this. And I say all of that knowing that not every juror leaves their civic duty and immediately spends the next 10 weeks making a podcast about the very thing they were just semi forced to live for 10 days. What surprised me the most throughout the trial was how much I was drawn to the judicial process itself. From the legal formalities to the structure of the proceedings, the purpose behind each witness, and the strategic introduction of every piece of evidence, it's all meticulously crafted. The entire trial is a story being unfolded in real time with twists and turns and revelations. And in the end, at least in this case, it's the jury who decides how the story concludes. Being a part of that process, holding someone's fate in your hands was heavy. And I knew even then that I couldn't just walk away from it. I had to share about it. 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 the 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 Next, Andrea and I had the opportunity to sit down and speak with the prosecutors who fought tirelessly to bring justice to Jasmine Pace's family. District Attorneys General Cody Wamp and Paul Moyle had been at the forefront of this case from the very beginning. Determined to ensure that Jasmine's story was heard and that her killer was held accountable. This conversation was especially impactful for me because both of them had become such sources of inspiration, particularly DA Whomp. Her passion for Jasmine was so evident throughout the entire trial. You can just tell that she's someone who walks through life with justice as a guiding principle. Our conversation with them was candid and emotional. We gathered in DA Wamp's office, her and Moyle in a set of cozy chairs, and the two of us on a comfortable couch with a long coffee table. Splitting the difference between us all, Everyone was in casual attire, Burks flannel. It was nice, the opposite of official. But what struck me most was how willing they were to share their perspectives, not only as legal professionals, but as human beings who were profoundly affected by the weight of this case. We discussed the trial, shared our own questions and curiosities, and reflected on what it all meant. Hearing their insights, especially after diving so deeply into this podcast, brought another layer of understanding to everything. We ended our conversation with them with a couple of questions, and we wanted to share their responses with you. The first was for DA Wamp about her advocacy for victims rights. I wanted to know what drove her passion in this area and how it shaped the way she approaches cases like this one. Here is her response.
Cody Wamp
I think that that's what this job is. This, this office, any prosecutor's office should be victim focused or why are we all here? And certainly crimes matter that don't have victims. You can argue that there's a lot of crimes that do have victims that we don't necessarily categorize like that, but we should all prioritize crimes with victims as prosecutors. And that's what my message is to this office all the time. We have to make sure we're taking care of this community, not just public safety, but taking care of people in this community. And so in these cases, when you prepare for a trial like this one, or any trials that we have where we spend years preparing, you really get to know the victim well. And so by the time you get to trial, you know their family, you know what they were like when they were 15 years old, you've heard all the stories, you really get a sense, for better or for worse, sometimes you learn bad things, you know, but you get to know them. And so by the time you get to trial, it really is like, for me, personal that you know this person, you know their family, they're in your office, you know, they. They've. You've seen struggle throughout the last two years since their daughter died, you've seen the ups and the downs to a certain extent. And so it is personal by the time you get to trial, in my opinion, all you really want to do is fight for them because you've been this process, seeing it from their point of view. And so it is. It's hard to not make it too personal for me. I have to remind myself to just take a step back sometimes, because it can affect you and it will affect you if you let it. But to a certain extent, I think that's a good thing. I hope that I always feel that way, and if I don't care like I do now, I hope that I'll leave this job and do something else.
Sarah Reed
And sort of along the same lines, I also asked her what moments from her career reminded her of why she does this work. I was curious to know if there were cases, experiences, or even particular moments that reinforced her commitment to advocating for victims and their families. What fuels her passion and keeps her going even when the work feels heavy?
Cody Wamp
Any cases involving children. The rape of a child case that I tried in Bradley county was one of my first big trials. And being able to get a victory for a child like that, who afterwards will say, I didn't think anybody was gonna believe me, because kids don't come forward often because they don't think anybody's gonna believe them, and they're scared. And so to have a victory for a child where the system believed them and protected them like we're supposed to, it makes you feel like this is not just a profession. It's a passion. It is. You know, it's. For me, it's sort of who I am. But any. Any case with children, but a case like this, with a. With a victim who really was just 1000% innocent in all of this and did not deserve to die and was not involved in any type of criminal activity, and, you know, this was just so random and did not have to happen that it makes it a real privilege to be able to fight for her. But any of these trials and most of the trials I've tried have to do with victims. Most of the cases in my office tries have to do with victims. We tried drug cases here and there. We've tried a theft in the last year. But for the most part, we focus on victims, and that means that we take these cases to trial.
Sarah Reed
Finally, I asked both DA Whomp and DA Moyle what they hope people will take away from this trial for Jasmine, for her family, and for the broader Fight for justice. Here's how they each replied.
Cody Wamp
I hope that the closing argument resonated with people across the country. First of all, I think that there's more victims of crime across the nation and across our state than people realize until it happens to you. And whether you're just a victim of a burglary or you're a victim of a violent crime like this one, there's a lot of victims throughout our. And survivors throughout our community that we forget about. You know, something may happen two years ago and the person goes through the court process, and then over time, they're forgotten about, and nobody around them really understands what they went through or the fact they're a survivor of this type of crime. So I hope that the community realizes that there are people fighting for victims, and especially victims and survivors. I hope that they can say, and we've gotten some of this feedback, like, I was a victim or I was a survivor, and my boyfriend did this to me in 2009. And some of the greatest emails I got were those kind of emails. Like, I was in tears during the jury verdict because this happened to me, and I didn't think anybody cared. And that really. That really means a lot to me. Like, that's. That's a reminder of why we're doing this. So I hope the community knows that there are offices like ours that are doing it for all the right reasons. Me, too.
Paul Moyle
So, Lindsay, I think that what I would want people to take away from this and to realize is that we see names on the news, individuals who are charged with crime. Sometimes the news will tell us the names of the victim. But at the end of the day, people need to realize that crime has a real impact on people outside of those that are named on the night news. That for every one victim of a crime, there's a family, a father, a mother, brothers and sisters, cousins, people who are deeply and negatively affected by the criminal acts of another, even though they're not the actual target of the criminal conduct. And that's something that I think that most people don't realize. It's just the sheer scope of. Of crime and how it affects really, the entire community.
Cody Wamp
I think such an example of that from this trial, when was a little bit early on to really hit home for the jury because Katrina was our first witness. But how identical she looks to her daughter so much.
Sarah Reed
Always.
Cody Wamp
Yeah. And I mean, always stood out to me is like, oh, my gosh, she is up there on the witnesses. She looks exactly like her daughter. We're going to show her driver's license so that you can see. But they are real people, and they have moms that sometimes look just like them, that are willing to testify on their. On their behalf. And so, yeah, I mean, what a moment. Y'all didn't know as much about the case at that point in time because she was our first witness, but looking back, I mean, oh, yeah, this mother looks exactly like her daughter who this has happened to. And I thought that.
Sarah Reed
That.
Cody Wamp
I mean, honestly, I think it's a sweet moment for me to see her on the stand. And what a mom. You know, what a mom. Katrina Bean is the mom that we all aspire to be. And so I thought that was a sweet moment.
Paul Moyle
And I think also one other thing is that I know that a lot of times that we focus on the negatives with people that work in the public sector, in government, but there are dedicated professionals out there, like General Long, who believe in the rule of law, who believe in seeking justice for those who no longer have a voice. And people don't need to forget that every day across this country, across this state, there are people who are fighting for victims. And General Wong is one of those people.
Sarah Reed
I gotta tell y'all, if.
Andrea Clyde
If I was in Katrina Bean's spot, you guys are who I would want.
Cody Wamp
Fighting for me, truly. Thank you.
Sarah Reed
Their passion for seeking justice was evident. They didn't just see this as another case on the docket. It was personal for them, individually and as a team. And their dedication left an impression on me that I continue to carry. Hearing their words, their resolve, their compassion only deepened my own sense of responsibility. It made me reflect on why I felt so compelled to create this podcast in the first place, to honor Jasmine's story, to make sure her name is remembered, and to acknowledge the tireless work of the people fighting for justice every single day. This journey really has changed me. And as we come to the end of this podcast, I want to share some of the personal reflections and lessons I've taken away from all of this. Throughout this journey, we have heard from so many of you listeners who have been moved by Jasmine's story, who've followed this case closely, or who've simply had questions about the process. And as I reflect on everything we've shared, I wanted to take some time to answer a few of the questions that have come up, the most questions that I've been asking myself, too. One of the most common questions I've heard is, why did I decide to make this podcast instead of just moving on? And my answer is, Simple. These stories need to be told. We talk about serial killers and we make them heroes in our society. We talk about what they did to the victim as if that moment defines someone like Jasmine Pace. And that's just simply not the case. I know that cases like this and worse happen across the globe every single day. It's such a tragedy. This one could have passed me by, and I might have started my new year never knowing Jasmine's name or hearing her story. But January 2025 presented me with a very different set of circumstances. I couldn't just go back to my normal life after going through this experience. It has changed me. Another question I've been asked is, what do I hope people take away from this podcast? I think about DA wamp's closing statement here, Specifically, when she so passionately delivers the words about how victims matter.
Cody Wamp
Victims matter. Jasmine Pace is not just some girl listed in an autopsy report. She is not. The photos that you have seen, don't minimize her to a name on an indictment. She is a person. She had family that loved her. She was a friend. She was a granddaughter. Please don't minimize this trial to the trial for him.
Sarah Reed
She's absolutely right. We hear a lot about the perpetrator in cases like this. Their names are the ones splashed across the headlines, their actions dissected and analyzed. But what often gets lost is the victim, the person whose life was stolen. When it comes to crimes like this, we need to say the names of the victims and the survivors more often. They deserve to be remembered for who they were, not just for what happened to them. So I guess my hope for this podcast is the same as DA wamp's, that somewhere down the line, when you think about this case or hear it on another show, Jasmine Pace is the first name you recall, that you remember her for who she was as a person. Her kindness, her vibrancy, her dreams. And not just the tragedy that ended her life. And then there's the question that feels most personal. Would I ever serve on a jury again after this experience? I've thought a lot about that. It's hard to say yes right away because this experience has been so intense, emotionally and mentally. It's not something I could go through again. Lightly Serving on this jury was life changing, but also incredibly heavy. The weight of the responsibility, knowing that real lives are impacted by the decisions we make, it's daunting. But I also recognize how important it is to have people who are willing to show up to listen and to do their best to seek justice. I felt honored. To do that with the other 15 people I was called to serve alongside of being a juror isn't easy, and I have so much more respect for the process now. It's not just a civic duty, it's a profound act of service. So would I do it again? I think I would, but only if I felt I could give it the attention and care it deserves. After reflecting on my own experience, I kept coming back to the person who's been with me every step of the way on this podcast, my co producer, Andrea. She has spent 99% of her time behind the scenes of this podcast, researching, writing, building out the website and all of the back end details. She has poured her energy into making sure Jasmine's story was told with care and accuracy. But Andrea's experience has been entirely different from mine. She watched the trial unfold from the outside, piecing together things through life streams and endless research, and then she relived it all again as we built this podcast together. Her perspective is unique, seeing everything from a distance but still feeling the weight of it all. So I was curious, what has this entire experience been like for her? These are her thoughts.
Andrea Clyde
Working on this podcast with Sarah has been a wild and emotional journey. From the beginning, our intention was sequestered, was to tell the truth of what happened. I've spent a lot of time asking myself why that felt so important to me. I think it's because we all carry stories inside of us that remain untold, whether out of shame, fear, or simply not wanting the world to know what we've endured. But there's power in speaking the truth and saying this happened. Jasmine didn't get a chance to walk away from a bad situation. She likely went to Jason's apartment on the night of November 22, 2022, seeking comfort after losing her grandmother. Instead, for reasons we may never fully understand, he ended her life in a terrifying way. I've always believed that we are all connected more than we might ever realize. Our work is to let that truth in, to be open to the most unexpected experiences and to partner with them when they arrive. Elizabeth Gilbert says this in her book Big Magic. Do whatever brings you to life. Then follow your own fascinations, obsessions and compulsions. Trust them. Create whatever causes a revolution in your heart. I felt compelled to tell Jasmine Pace's story because it could have been my own story or your story. I've lived and breathed the details of this trial. For the past two months with Sarah, I've dreamt about Jasmine. I've even asked her for Guidance as we've been writing and planning this podcast. And even though I never met her, the words and the emotions of her family have shown me that she was an exceptionally loving and vibrant human being. I will never forget Jasmine Pace. I think about her all the time as I go through my life now. I believe she's watching over her family right now. I feel that deeply. In an odd way, I feel connected to her because she seemed fierce and loving and passionate about life. So what will I take away from this case and this experience? I've rediscovered a passion to advocate for those who no longer have a voice. I'm still asking myself what that means, but my heart is wide open.
Sarah Reed
In closing, I guess I just want to say I think that Jasmine was in need of comfort that night. She had no idea what was coming, and the truth is, none of us did. There's such a finality to what happened. Jasmine will never get to fulfill her dreams. Her family will never get to see her face again, hear her laugh, or watch her move through life's experiences. The loss is so profound, it's hard to put into words. And yet Jasmine's story isn't over, not really, because we remember her. We say her name. We keep her memory alive by honoring who she was, not just how her life ended. Maybe that force we were feeling to make this podcast was Jasmine herself. It's something I've often wondered, as if she's been walking with us, guiding us to share her story in a way that feels true and respectful. I want to believe she's here, still watching over her family, her presence felt in every sunset, her spirit woven into the hearts of everyone who loves her. I really hope so. Before we go, if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or feels unsafe, there is help available. You can contact the National Domestic violence hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or visit thehotline.org for resources such as support and confidential assistance. 24. 7 A huge thank you to News Channel 9, Local 3 News Chattanooga and Court TV for your thorough and compassionate coverage throughout this case. Your reporting allowed us to share Jasmine's story in its fullness and accuracy. And to everyone who has listened, asked questions, and supported this effort, thank you. It means more than words can express to Jasmine's family. If you're listening, I hope we've done her justice. I hope you feel her presence close to you every day. This may be the final episode, but it's not the end of this story. Our search for answers continues, and we're committed to sharing everything we learn with you. We invite you to Visit the website sequesteredpod.com for a deeper dive into each day of the trial, including blogs and photos from the case. Finally, if you've enjoyed this podcast, please take a moment to rate and review it. It's the best way to get the word out. Thank you so much for listening. 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.com or follow us on Instagram @SequesteredPod. Thank you for listening. Until next time, stay curious and stay safe.
SEQUESTERED Podcast: Episode 10 - After the Verdict
Introduction and Announcement
In the final episode of the SEQUESTERED podcast, Sarah Reed, Juror #11, reflects on the culmination of her nine-day sequestration as part of the jury in the high-profile State of Tennessee vs. Jason Chen trial. The episode opens with Sarah sharing exciting news about a related Dateline NBC episode titled "The Pin at Apartment 210," where juror insights and the impact of Jasmine Pace's case are further explored (00:02). This sets the stage for a poignant conclusion to the podcast series dedicated to honoring Jasmine Pace’s life and seeking justice for her tragic death.
Sarah's Personal Journey
Sarah begins by recounting her unexpected journey from civic duty to a deeply transformative personal experience. Selected for jury duty in January 2025, she describes the trial as a "gravitational force" that continued to influence her even after returning to Nashville (00:02). The emotional weight of the trial prompted her to embark on creating the SEQUESTERED podcast, a project born out of a desire to honor Jasmine's memory and ensure her story remains heard (05:45).
The Creation of the Podcast
The inception of the podcast is detailed through Sarah’s spontaneous realization on the fourth day of the trial. While assembling a miniature greenhouse garden, she felt compelled to document her experiences, leading to the birth of SEQUESTERED: A Podcast from a Juror's Perspective (10:15). Collaborating with her co-producer, Andrea Clyde, Sarah highlights the intense dedication required to produce the series, dedicating over 40 hours each week to research, writing, and production. This commitment underscores the podcast's mission to provide an unfiltered and heartfelt account of the trial and its broader implications (12:30).
Community Impact and Journalism Insights
Sarah emphasizes the profound impact the trial had on the Chattanooga community by sharing an insightful interview with journalist Latricia Thomas from News Channel 9 (13:07). Latricia explains how Jasmine Pace’s case captivated local attention for over two years, highlighting the community's emotional investment and the collective desire for justice. She notes, “Jasmine was so young… it's a real privilege to be able to fight for her” (22:05), reflecting the deep-rooted connection between the case and the community.
Juror Reflections on Emotional Toll
The episode delves into the emotional challenges faced by jurors, featuring heartfelt reflections from Juror #8. He describes his experience as “a really sober and humbling” one, where the gravity of the trial's details weighed heavily on him (13:54). Juror #8 shares, “I was clocked into work… I started to cry” (14:57), illustrating the personal toll the case took on those tasked with delivering a verdict. These testimonies reveal the human cost of serving on a jury in such a high-stakes trial.
Conversations with District Attorneys
A pivotal segment of the episode includes candid conversations with District Attorneys Cody Wamp and Paul Moyle (21:15). DA Wamp passionately discusses her commitment to victim advocacy, stating, “crimes with victims... we have to make sure we're taking care of this community” (22:05). She reflects on cases involving children, highlighting her dedication to ensuring that victims are heard and justice is served. DA Moyle echoes similar sentiments, emphasizing the broader community impact of crimes and the importance of remembering that “crime has a real impact on people outside of those that are named on the news” (27:30).
Personal Reflections and Lessons Learned
Sarah shares her ongoing struggle to process the trial's emotional aftermath, acknowledging that the experience has fundamentally changed her. She contemplates the profound responsibility of holding someone’s fate in her hands, stating, “It's not just a civic duty, it's a profound act of service” (31:00). This introspection leads her to reaffirm her commitment to honoring Jasmine’s story through the podcast, ensuring that Jasmine is remembered for her vibrant life rather than solely for the tragedy that befell her.
Andrea Clyde's Perspective
Co-producer Andrea Clyde offers her unique viewpoint, explaining her motivation to tell Jasmine's story. She draws inspiration from Elizabeth Gilbert's philosophy of following one’s fascinations and committing to "whatever causes a revolution in your heart" (36:40). Andrea underscores the interconnectedness of their work, expressing a deep sense of connection to Jasmine despite never having met her. She states, “I believe she's watching over her family right now” (39:15), highlighting the personal resonance the case has had on her life.
Conclusion and Tribute to Jasmine Pace
As the episode draws to a close, Sarah delivers a heartfelt tribute to Jasmine Pace, emphasizing the importance of remembering her as a person rather than just a victim. She shares, “Jasmine Pace is not just some girl listed in an autopsy report” (32:56), advocating for the recognition of victims' identities and stories. The final moments of the podcast serve as both a farewell and a continuation of Jasmine’s legacy, inviting listeners to engage further through the podcast’s website and to honor Jasmine’s memory by keeping her story alive (39:15).
Sarah concludes by extending support resources for those affected by domestic violence and thanks all contributors, including News Channel 9 and Court TV, for their comprehensive coverage of the case. She encourages listeners to rate and review the podcast to help spread Jasmine’s story, ensuring that her life and legacy continue to resonate within the community and beyond.
Notable Quotes
Final Thoughts
SEQUESTERED: Episode 10 - After the Verdict serves as a powerful closure to a series that delved deep into the emotional and ethical complexities of serving on a jury in a high-profile murder trial. Through personal narratives, expert interviews, and reflective insights, the episode honors Jasmine Pace’s legacy while shedding light on the multifaceted impact of seeking justice in the wake of tragedy. The podcast not only recounts the courtroom proceedings but also invites listeners to engage with the broader implications of such a case on individuals and the community at large.
For more information and to continue honoring Jasmine Pace’s story, visit SequesteredPod.com.