Juror Number 8
Appearances
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 03: Connecting the Dots
If law enforcement contacts other family members, what do they do?
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 03: Connecting the Dots
Last time I saw her. She would call me once a day. Scratch that. She would call me every day. Last time was on November 22nd on the phone.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 03: Connecting the Dots
Friday, November 18th, last time I saw her. Tuesday, November 22nd, last time we talked. She has a huge history of running away from home in her teenage years. Mom was an alcoholic, ran away to Canada for several years and was homeless. Has restraining order against X. Scratch that out. Her dad left when she was a kid. Has restraining order against X. Says she was recently online on Facebook.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 03: Connecting the Dots
Maybe it's important to be confined without the people you love, the things that make you comfortable, the regular distractions before sentencing a person to life in prison. Of course, a stay in a hotel with supervised dining and outings to landmarks is different. It's different than the cold hostility of a maximum security prison privately run with shareholders' best interests in mind.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 03: Connecting the Dots
But still, the taste of sequestration gives insight to the gravity of it all.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
SEQUESTERED: A Juror's Perspective of the Murder Trial for Jasmine Pace
Join us as we explore the crime, the trial, and the profound impact of Jasmine Pace's story.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
SEQUESTERED: A Juror's Perspective of the Murder Trial for Jasmine Pace
I want you to remember this trial as the trial for Jasmine Pace.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
SEQUESTERED: A Juror's Perspective of the Murder Trial for Jasmine Pace
This is Sequestered, a juror's journey, a victim's voice, and the pursuit of truth. Subscribe now.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
SEQUESTERED: A Juror's Perspective of the Murder Trial for Jasmine Pace
On a cold November night, Jasmine Pace disappeared. Days later, her lifeless body was found and a community was left in shock.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
SEQUESTERED: A Juror's Perspective of the Murder Trial for Jasmine Pace
I was called to serve on the jury in the murder trial of the state of Tennessee versus Jason Chin, who was accused of taking Jasmine's life. Over nine days, I witnessed the unraveling of a horrifying story, one that I will never forget.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
SEQUESTERED: A Juror's Perspective of the Murder Trial for Jasmine Pace
This is the suitcase in which Jason Chin stuffed the 98-pound body of Jasmine Pace.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
SEQUESTERED: A Juror's Perspective of the Murder Trial for Jasmine Pace
This is Sequestered, a juror's perspective on the murder trial for Jasmine Pace, a podcast that takes you inside the courtroom, behind closed doors, and into the heart of a trial that captivated the town of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
SEQUESTERED: A Juror's Perspective of the Murder Trial for Jasmine Pace
Each episode will walk you through one day of the trial. I'll share my experience as a juror and how I grappled with the weight of the evidence, the responsibility of the verdict and sentencing, and honoring Jasmine's story.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
SEQUESTERED: A Juror's Perspective of the Murder Trial for Jasmine Pace
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.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 10: After the Verdict
I gotta tell y'all, if I was in Katrina Bean's spot, you guys are who I would want fighting for me, truly. Thank you.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 10: After the Verdict
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.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 10: After the Verdict
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.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 10: After the Verdict
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.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Before we get into this episode, I want to give you a heads up. It contains graphic descriptions of violence, including details from an autopsy. Out of respect for Jasmine and her family, we've chosen to hold back on some of the more graphic details. But what you will hear may still be unsettling. So please listen with care. It's Thursday, January 16th, 2025. Day four of the trial.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
The majority of Jasmine's 60 wounds were concentrated on her upper right side, reinforcing the theory that she was in the fetal position during the attack. Now let's return to the courtroom as Dr. Cogswell walks the jury through the x-rays of the suitcase.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Yeah, you heard that correctly. Handcuffs and shackles. For those of you who are curious about the difference between the two, I was. Handcuffs are designed to restrain a person's wrists together. Shackles, on the other hand, have a longer chain between the cuffs and are typically heavier metal restraints used to secure different parts of the body, usually the ankles.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Think of prisoners being transferred. With Prosecutor Moyle's instructions, Dr. Cogswell puts on a pair of blue gloves and opens the evidence bag containing the handcuffs, showing them to the jury.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
He goes through the same process with the shackles.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
I learned this only after the fact, but while we were waiting in the jury room that morning, DA Cody Womp noticed that Defense Attorney Weiss moved a trash can near Jason Chen at the defense table, along with a box of tissues. Here's a clip of how that scene played out in the courtroom just minutes before the jury came in.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Cogswell also pointed out rust stains on Jasmine's skin, evidence of where the shackles and chains pressed against her for an extended period. He then presented a photo of the left side of Jasmine's body, which was completely free of wounds. But when her body was rolled over, it became clear that every single injury was concentrated on her upper right side.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
This pattern, he explained, is consistent with someone being trapped in the fetal position, further reinforcing the prosecution's theory that Jasmine was confined and immobilized during the attack. There was a moment during these photos when I found myself staring down at my blank notepad, my mind unable to process what I was seeing. Without thinking, I silently muttered to myself, Oh my God.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
The sheer number of her injuries was overwhelming, each one a brutal testament to what Jasmine endured. I just couldn't believe it. This entire time, Jason Chen's head is hanging down. At first, it seems like he's avoiding the photos being shown on the courtroom screen. But by now, I had noticed a small monitor mounted under the glass top of the defense table, directly in front of him.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Later, I asked the bailiff about it, and he confirmed that every time something appeared on the large screen in the courtroom, the smaller screen in front of him turns on and displays the same content. So, while Jason appeared downcast, maybe even remorseful, the truth was he was seeing those images in even sharper detail than the rest of us.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
As images filled the screen, Dr. Cogswell walked us through key identifiers used during Jasmine's autopsy, markers that helped confirm her identity. Among those identifiers were her tattoos, permanent expressions of who she was, now preserved only in these photos and in the memories of those who loved her. If you've been following the podcast, we've got something new for you.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
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.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Head over to sequesteredpod.com now to explore the case in a whole new way. Dr. Cogswell's testimony didn't just outline the injuries, it painted a vivid picture of the violence Jasmine suffered. His detailed observations provided the jury with a clearer understanding of the circumstances surrounding her death, emphasizing the deliberate and confined nature of the attack.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
While they are talking about Jasmine being in the fetal position, Moyle goes back to the large carpet sample on the floor of the courtroom and asks Dr. Cogswell if he sees any significance with the bloodstain in regards to the size of Jasmine's body.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
At this point, with Moyles directing, Cogswell methodically takes the jury through all 60 stab wounds, one by one, using clinical, almost detached terminology like curvilinear and vertex. But behind those technical words was a reality that was impossible to detach from. Out of respect for Jasmine and her family, we won't be sharing all of this audio. However, I will share this.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Jasmine was stabbed 60 times. Across her scalp, face, neck, upper back, chest, shoulder, arm, and torso. With the exception of her free left hand, every single wound was concentrated on the right side of her body. One of the most chilling details, the blade of the knife Jason Chen used snapped when it struck one of Jasmine's ribs, breaking off inside of her chest.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Dr. Cogswell discovered it lodged between two ribs and penetrating deep inside of her right lung. There was also evidence of blunt force impact to her chest, leaving a large contusion or bruise. Dr. Cogswell noted that this blow could have rendered Jasmine unconscious or semi-conscious, making it even harder for her to fight back.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Additionally, there were abrasions and bruising on the front of her neck, which, according to Cogswell, may indicate manual strangulation, though it was not officially documented in the autopsy report. This was not just an attack. It was a prolonged, deliberate, and brutal assault, reflecting a level of calculated malice that is both shocking and incomprehensible.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
By this point in the day, we had reached a lunch break. Can you imagine breaking for lunch after this? Sitting through the forensic breakdown of 60 stab wounds, a broken knife lodged in Jasmine's lung, and evidence of blunt force trauma, and then stepping outside to grab a sandwich? Somehow, we all managed.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
What was interesting to learn after the trial was that while court was adjourned during this particular afternoon, breaking news was already hitting the media. Here's News Channel 9's Latricia Thomas sharing this development during the live stream as we broke for lunch.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
The defense began their cross-examination, pressing Dr. Cogswell on a critical question. Could the autopsy determine whether Jasmine was unconscious during the attack? Dr. Cogswell remained firm. While his findings were extensive and detailed, he explained that an autopsy can't answer every question about Jasmine's state in that moment.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Whether she was fully conscious, semi-conscious, or unconscious at the time of the stabbing remains unknown.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
When proceedings resume, Dr. Cogswell returns to discuss the toxicology report. He explains that Jasmine's heart and major blood vessels were nearly empty of blood, and notably, no alcohol was detected, despite claims that wine had been consumed on the night of her murder. Here's Latricia Thomas of News Channel 9 again.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
As Dr. Cogswell continues his testimony, Moyle guides him through the details of Jasmine's injuries. Dr. Cogswell reiterates that her injuries are consistent with being in the fetal position. a posture that made it easier for her body to be forced into a confined space during the attack. I want to pause here and share something from my perspective as a juror.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
One wound that stood out to me was a deep gash on Jasmine's left forearm. Remember, this was her free arm. I couldn't tell if it came from a single strike or if the knife had hit the same spot over and over, but it was clear to me that this was a defensive wound. It looked as if Jasmine had instinctively raised her arm to shield her face and head from the repeated blows of the knife.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
My producer and I have spent a lot of time piecing together what we know about this attack, trying to understand how Jasmine was restrained and what happened inside that apartment. What stands out to me is the haphazard way she was cuffed. It was a tangled, almost desperate arrangement, like they were put on in the middle of a fight.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
In my opinion, Jason Chen wasn't methodically restraining Jasmine. He was trying to gain control of her, trying to keep her from kicking, fighting, and ultimately getting away. And now the autopsy photos confirmed it. Jasmine was in the fetal position during the attack. And I'm bringing it up again because it's crucial to understanding the wounds themselves.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
If she had been in any other position, the injuries would have been scattered across her body. But instead, every single stab wound was concentrated in one small area, her upper right side. That kind of concentrated violence, it says something. It tells us this wasn't random. It wasn't chaotic. It was intentional.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
As you can tell, DA Womp raises her concerns to the judge about Jason Chen receiving preferential treatment. She points out that Weiss moved the trash can and tissues near their table, implying that the defendant may be trying to sway the court's perception.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
When I close my eyes at night, I can't help but visualize how this happened, trying to piece together the moments leading up to Jasmine's death. I'm certain I'm not alone in this. Anyone who's seen these photos, the investigators, attorneys, Judge Patterson, Dr. Cogswell, my fellow jurors, and especially Jasmine's family, they all likely confront similar visions.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Yet the only person who truly knows what happened is Jason Chen. Here's what we've put together based on the evidence presented thus far. Though I want to be clear that these are my own theories, not necessarily facts. We know that Jasmine went to Jason's apartment by choice on November 22nd, arriving at 1142 p.m. She was there for over two hours before things went terribly wrong.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
On day six of the trial, Jason's downstairs neighbor will testify that she heard a woman scream coming from his apartment at 2.11 a.m. on the early hours of November 23rd, followed by the sound of chasing, movement from the back bedroom toward the front door. Then she heard the front door slam.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Seven minutes after that scream, at 2.18 a.m., Jasmine sends a pin drop location to her mother, Katrina Bean. Not a text, not a call, a location pin. That detail haunts me. I've thought about how sending a location pin works. It's not the most instinctive thing to do under stress, but it's gotten easier to do in the last couple of years.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
On an iPhone, which Jasmine had at the time, it used to require users to open Apple Maps, search the location, and then drop a pin manually. But now all you have to do is open your text message app, click the plus sign next to the text field, scroll down to location, and hit send. Still, why a location pin? To me, it feels like she didn't have time to type a message.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Judge Patterson responds by emphasizing that everyone in the courtroom, including Chen, must maintain composure, especially given the graphic nature of the upcoming testimony. Judge Patterson also warns the gallery that anyone who is unable to remain composed should excuse themselves from the courtroom before this evidence is presented.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
As if this was all she could do. Her way of saying, Mom, this is where I am. I've come to realize that when people lie, they often weave in parts of the truth. It's like they can't help but sprinkle in bits of reality. And they'll almost always cast themselves as the victim, not the one responsible for the harm done. That's why the defense's story during their opening statement stuck with me.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
According to them, Jasmine was the aggressor, chasing Jason, and Jason was the one running from her. They painted this almost comical scene of Jason trying to slam the bathroom door shut, only to be foiled by the bath mat. Then came the so-called impossible pocket door to the bedroom, as if this whole thing was some sitcom misunderstanding.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
But what if that story held a kernel of truth, just with the roles reversed? What if Jason was the one chasing Jasmine through his apartment? I mentioned the defense's first witness. She was the neighbor living in apartment 110, directly below Jason's unit. Although her testimony aimed to support the defense, she inadvertently helped clarify the time of the attack.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Remember, at 2.11 a.m., she was jolted awake by a woman's scream from the apartment above. Following this, she described hearing sounds of someone being chased from the bedroom to the front door, culminating in the sharp slam of the door itself. Something provoked Jasmine's fear. Something made her scream. Maybe she was trying to get out of there. Maybe Jason was behind her.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
And before she could make it out the front door, he slammed it shut. Did she turn back toward the bedroom in a panic? Did she try to barricade herself in the bathroom, only to be tripped up by the bath mat? And was it Jasmine, not Jason, desperately trying to pull that pocket door closed between the bathroom and the bedroom?
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Remember, at 2.18 a.m., just seven minutes after that scream, Jasmine sends her mom the location pin. That tiny act says so much. Things were bad. She knew she needed help. And I can't stop wondering, when in those terrifying moments did Jason retrieve the handcuffs and shackles? Was it before or after that text was sent?
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Could Jasmine have made it back to the bathroom, just barely closing the door, buying herself a few precious seconds to send her location? I keep picturing her, leaning against that wall, maybe sitting on the floor, bracing for whatever came next. Given the layout of the bathroom, it could make sense that her left side was against the wall, with Jason towering above her.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
especially when you consider the pattern of stab wounds to her scalp, face, shoulders, and her free hand. We know there was a pool of blood in the bathroom, some of it crossing the threshold into the bedroom. There was blood spatter on the wall, smears on the door frames, all of it painting a chilling picture of violence in a confined space.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
And that leads us to one of the biggest questions raised in the courtroom. Was Jasmine already cuffed when she was being stabbed? Or, as the defense claimed, were the restraints only used after her death to make her body fit into the trash bags?
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
At this time, Jasmine's mother, Katrina Bean, and Jason Chen's mother, Shu Fang Chen, both leave the courtroom. They already knew. Some things, once seen, can never be unseen. This all happened before we even entered the courtroom. Pretrial matters were a regular occurrence, so we never really knew what we'd be walking into each day.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
We know her right wrist was handcuffed to the inside of her left ankle, and her right elbow was shackled to her right ankle, leaving her left arm completely free. Now try to picture her left side pressed against the bathroom floor, her right arm threaded between her legs and bound to her ankles. Some kind of cruel game of Twister. It's almost impossible to imagine, actually, let alone endure.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Then there's the blood evidence found in Jason's bedroom. Remember the massive five foot stain on the carpet? That stain tells us her body was likely moved after the attack, or at the very least, the violence ended there before she was put inside the trash bags and eventually into the suitcase.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
This is the picture we're left with, pieced together from evidence, testimony, and what we can only imagine Jasmine endured that night. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this. If you've been following the case or have your own theories, we'd love to hear them. Send us an email at sequesteredpod at gmail.com.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Before the medical examiner stepped down from the stand, the jurors had a chance to ask their own questions. It's something we've mentioned before, but it's worth repeating because it's pretty rare. Not every judge allows this, but Judge Patterson does, and it gave us the opportunity to clarify facts directly from the witnesses in real time, rather than saving them for the deliberation phase.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
I also think it gave the courtroom, more specifically the attorneys, a unique window into what the jury was really curious about throughout the trial. On this particular day, our questions covered everything from whether cleaning agents could have altered the appearance of Jasmine's wounds to whether any fibers or fingerprints were recovered from the scene.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Dr. Cogswell responded to each one, even opening the door to the possibility that a second knife could have been used, though he stopped short of any firm conclusions. We thought it might be interesting to share a couple of the jury's actual questions with you. so that you can get a sense of what was on our minds as we work to piece everything together.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
But something was noticeably different this morning as we took our seats. Despite the tension in the room, the proceedings were officially underway by 9.45. Hamilton County Medical Examiner and Forensic Psychologist Dr. Stephen Cogswell was sworn in as the state's first expert witness.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
The prosecution briefly recalls crime scene investigator Kristen Schubert to the stand. Schubert is asked about the two sanitary pads collected as evidence, one recovered from Jasmine's body and the other found outside the dumpster at Jason Chen's apartment complex.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Since neither pad was tested, we can't say with certainty that they're a match, but Schubert describes the similarity between them as striking. Next, the jury hears from Kim Lau, a special agent and forensic scientist with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, or TBI.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Garnering over 20 years of experience, Agent Lau is straightforward about the limitations her lab faces, including a six-month backlog and a policy that restricts testing to just 10 items per homicide case. Agent Lau then walks the jury through what was tested. Swabs from Jason Chen and Jasmine's parents, Jasmine's toothbrush, and carpet from Jason Chen's apartment.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Her testimony confirms several key points. The blood found in Jason Chen's apartment matches Jasmine's DNA. Swabs from the shackles, handcuffs, and even the garbage bags link back to Jason. And some evidence, like a swab from the suitcase handle, came back inconclusive. Under cross-examination, Agent Lau explains that not every piece of evidence could be tested due to limited resources.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
And when jurors ask who decides which 10 items actually get tested, she's clear. The decision is hers, based on proximity to the crime and the likelihood of finding DNA evidence. By the time court adjourns for the day, it's almost 7 p.m.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Judge Patterson reminds the jurors of their obligation not to be exposed to the media or to speak to each other about the trial, then instructs us to return at 10 a.m. the next morning, giving everyone a chance to catch their breath after a long, heavy day.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
The evidence, expert testimonies, and even the jurors' specific questions have left us all with as many uncertainties as clarifications, which feels like a perfect reflection of the case itself. Nothing is simple. Nothing is clear-cut. And with every new detail, the truth feels both closer and further away.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
As we conclude day four of this trial for Jasmine Pace, the profound weight of today's revelations lingers heavily. The meticulous forensic analysis presented by the state's expert witness, Dr. Stephen Cogswell, not only detailed the horrifying injuries Jasmine endured, but also illuminated the calculated nature of the violence she faced.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Each piece of evidence and every expert insight adds layers to a narrative that is anything but straightforward. As jurors, we are tasked with navigating this intricate web, seeking clarity amidst the ambiguity. Yet, with every detail unveiled, the elusive nature of truth becomes even more apparent, reminding us of the profound responsibility we bear in our pursuit of justice.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
With nearly 40 years of experience and thousands of autopsies to his name, including over a hundred cases involving fatal stab wounds, Dr. Stephen Cogswell's experience is undeniable. His presence alone commands respect. As he takes the stand, Dr. Cogswell, a middle-aged man with a shaved head and a neatly trimmed beard peppered with gray, carries himself with quiet authority.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Before we even stepped into the jury room this morning, we could feel the weight of what was coming. I went to bed last night bracing myself for today, trying to prepare my mind and my heart for what we were about to see. But how do you prepare for something like this? As jurors, part of our job was to face the evidence, to see what no one should ever have to see.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Fingerprints, phone records, and surveillance footage weave together a chilling timeline, one that may seal Jason Chen's fate. Thanks for sticking with us. If today's episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with friends. We'll see you next week. Thank you for listening to Sequestered, a juror's perspective on the murder trial for Jasmine Pace.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
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.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
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.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
For more information or to connect with us, visit sequesteredpod.com or follow us on Instagram at sequesteredpod. Thank you for listening. Until next time, stay curious and stay safe.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
He wears black glasses and is dressed sharply in a navy collared shirt, a blue patterned tie, and a dark gray suit jacket, exuding professionalism and confidence. General Moyle brings Dr. Cogswell to the scene of Suck Creek Road on the afternoon of December 1st, 2022. Moyle asks him, What did you see when you got there?
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Next, Moyle asked Dr. Cogswell, what did you do when you returned to your office? Here's a clip of Dr. Cogswell's response.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Today, we would see images of Jasmine Pace's lifeless body, and with them, the undeniable reality of what was done to her. We already knew the facts. She was stabbed 60 times, restrained, and stuffed into a suitcase. But knowing and seeing, those are two entirely different things. No one should ever have to witness another human being in that state. And yet, here we were.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
I think it's interesting that Cogswell mentions the direction in which the bags were placed over Jasmine's body here. He said the first bag was pulled up from her feet to her head. the second placed from her head down towards her feet, and the third, once again, from her feet over her head. Each bag was cinched closed and tied with a knot.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
At first, this might seem like a minor detail, but his point is chilling. Cogswell has clearly seen this pattern before, and it speaks to something deeper, something disturbingly consistent in human behavior when attempting to conceal a body. Dr. Cogswell then walks the jury through the painstaking process of documenting all 60 of the wounds on Jasmine's body.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Each injury is photographed first as it was found, then again after being cleaned. He explains the key difference between incised wounds and stab wounds. Incised wounds are more superficial and have directionality, appearing more as a slice, while stab wounds are, as they sound, a strike penetrating deeper and causing more severe damage.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
The jury also learns about three critical timeframes forensic experts use to classify injuries. Antimortem, which is inflicted before death. Perimortem, which is inflicted around the time of death. And postmortem, which is inflicted after death. It's a sobering moment as science strips away the emotion and breaks down the unimaginable into cold clinical facts.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Dr. Cogswell then shares a lesson he instills in his students when teaching about sharp force injuries. Look for the blood. Until every drop is accounted for, they truly don't know where the bleeding occurred. And until you find this, you haven't found the crime scene.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
You can paint a room with a gallon of blood. That phrase stuck with me the moment Dr. Cogswell said it. I instantly looked down at the carpet, still laying out on the courtroom floor, stained with Jasmine's blood. It wasn't just evidence. It was a haunting reminder of where her life ended. This feels like a good time to remind you to take care while listening to this episode.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
Out of respect for Jasmine's family, we're choosing not to share every graphic detail about her wounds. But we do want to give enough context to help you understand what happened. Dr. Cogswell begins with x-ray images, offering an undeniable glimpse into how Jasmine's body was positioned inside of the suitcase, her head toward the handle and her feet toward the wheels.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
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 5, The Body in the Suitcase.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
He then shifts to the evidence of restraint. Jasmine's right wrist was handcuffed to the inside of her left ankle, while her right ankle was shackled to her right elbow. It was a restrictive, contorted position that suggests deliberate immobilization. In an effort to better understand how she was restrained, I actually laid on the floor of my living room and tried to get into this position myself.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
And restrictive and contortive are great descriptions of the position she was forced into. One critical detail stands out. The chain on the shackles was broken, a possible sign of a desperate struggle. Yet Dr. Cogswell is quick to point out something unexpected.
SEQUESTERED Podcast
Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase
There were no ligature marks or abrasions on Jasmine's ankles or wrists, raising even more questions about how and when the restraints were applied. A detail the defense will be sure to bring up later. Even more telling is the pattern of her injuries.