Sequestered. It’s a word most of us never think will apply to our lives, until it does. In this gripping first episode, Juror #11 takes us inside the moment she was called to serve on one of the most high-profile murder trials in Chattanooga’s history, TN vs Jason Chen. From an unexpected voicemail about jury duty to the moment she surrendered her phone and freedom, Sara recounts the surreal experience of stepping into the legal process. She shares the tension of jury selection, the weight of being sworn in, and the shocking realization that she and 15 other strangers would decide the fate of Jason Chen—the man accused of brutally taking Jasmine Pace’s life. This episode sets the stage for what’s to come: the isolation of sequestration, the emotional toll of the courtroom, and the responsibility of seeking justice. Through vivid storytelling and firsthand insight, SEQUESTERED pulls you into the heart of the trial, honoring Jasmine’s memory while uncovering the weighty reality of being a juror. If you want to see photos and read the blog for this episode, click here! Links from this episode: Chattanooga History Chattanooga Named "Best Place to Live in Tennesssee" by U.S. News & World Report Crime Down Significantly Year-Over-Year in Chattanooga, New Statistics Show Family of woman missing since last week worried over phone activity, Facebook - Local News 3 Chattanooga Please rate, subscribe, and follow! On our website, you can see more photos, videos, and blogs about each day of the trial, organized by episode. Go to SequesteredPod.com Website: sequesteredpod.com Instagram: @sequesteredpod TikTok: @sequesteredpod Thank you for listening.
Chapter 1: What does it mean to be sequestered?
Sequestered. It's not a word I ever thought would describe my life. But for nine days, it did. My phone was taken away, I couldn't talk to my family, and every decision about where I went, what I ate, and even how I spent my free time was made for me. I was isolated, not just from the world, but from the life I knew.
And yet, as I reflect on the trial, I can't help but think that Jasmine Pace, in her own way, was sequestered too. Separated from her family, her friends, and ultimately her future. What happened to Jasmine wasn't just tragic, it was cruel. And now it was up to 12 strangers, including me, to find the truth and seek justice for her.
We want her home and we want her safe. Jasmine Pace hasn't been seen since November 22nd. Chattanooga police are investigating the case as a missing person. Police say she may have turned to a boyfriend she met several months ago on a dating app to help her grieve. They believe she may be with that boyfriend.
Chapter 2: Who was Jasmine Pace and what happened to her?
Jasmine was a vibrant young woman, just 22 years old. She had her whole life ahead of her. But in November of 2022, she went missing. Her family and friends searched desperately for her, plastering her photo across social media and the local news. It didn't take long for the town of Chattanooga to rally behind them, hoping for her safe return.
But this story didn't have the ending anyone hoped for. Days later, her body was discovered and the man accused of her murder, her boyfriend, Jason Chen, was arrested. What followed was a trial that shook the community and changed my life forever. Chattanooga isn't a place you'd expect to be the center of such a chilling story.
It's a picturesque town nestled between the mountains and the Tennessee River, a place known for its charm and beauty, But in the courtroom, I saw a different side of this city, one filled with grief, anger, and a determination for justice. This podcast isn't just about the trial. It's about Jasmine. It's about the people who loved her and the strangers who fought for her.
Chapter 3: What was the community's reaction to Jasmine's case?
It's about the experience of being sequestered, both as a juror and a human being. And it's about the choices we make when the weight of justice rests on our shoulders. 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 1, Jury Duty. In October 2024, I was caught off guard by a voicemail from the Davidson County Courthouse. The message informed me that I had failed to report for jury duty.
Jury duty? I had never even received a summons. Unsure of how this had happened, I quickly followed the court's instructions, filling out the necessary information online to rectify the situation. Over the next several weeks, life moved on as I traveled to New Zealand and Australia for work. But when I returned home and dove into the daunting task of catching up on unopened mail, there it was.
Jury duty, clear as day. I stared at the envelope, unaware of how profoundly it would shape the weeks to come. The holidays and New Year's celebrations came and went, and before I knew it, 2024 had ended. By January 8, 2025, I found myself walking into the Davidson County Courthouse in Nashville, Tennessee, joining 117 other potential jurors in a large, featureless room filled with rows of chairs.
I chose a seat toward the back, pulled out my phone, and prepared to settle in. It was clear we were going to be here for a while. Some people milled around the coffee station at the front of the room, pouring from a large carafe and stirring in powdered creamer before retreating to their seats. Others were engrossed in books, tapping on laptops, or scrolling mindlessly on their phones.
A few small groups formed, exchanging grumbles about how this unexpected civil duty was disrupting their day. The air was thick with a shared sense of impatience and uncertainty as we waited for our names to be called. We sat in the room for what felt like ages before a couple of important looking men called the first several rows to stand.
One man barked instructions about the third floor and then escorted the group toward a set of elevators. At least half of the room had departed by this point, leaving the rest of us to wait. Hours later, I found myself seated on a wooden pew in the gallery of a courtroom. I chose a spot near the back in the second row to the last.
The remaining potential jurors filled the other pews and the two back rows were reserved for what I assumed were family members connected to the case. The courtroom had a sense of quiet gravity. At the front of the room, I immediately noticed the judge, the bailiff, and other administrative staff moving with reverence.
The defense team was seated at a table facing the jury box, an attorney seated on either side of the man I quickly identified as the defendant. His name, I would soon learn, was Jason Chen. Chen appeared in the courtroom with a reserved demeanor. He had a slender build, short black hair, glasses, and was dressed neatly in professional attire.
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Chapter 4: What is the jury selection process like?
Your phones, computers, and other electronic devices will be collected and securely stored and you will be allowed one five-minute phone call once per day. Contact information for the bailiff will be provided in case your family needs to communicate with you for any urgent reason.
Remember, the purpose of sequestration is to protect the fairness of the trial and to ensure that your verdict is based only on the evidence and testimony presented. Your role is critical, and I thank you for your service and dedication to this important responsibility.
And with that, we were excused.
Jury selection is complete for the murder trial of Jason Chen, the man charged in the stabbing death of Jasmine Pace two years ago.
The jury was selected from Nashville because of extensive publicity of the case in Chattanooga. Grayson Gordon has the latest from Davidson County. Grayson.
Right, Cindy David. Now, bringing those jurors in from an outside county is definitely unusual, but we're told that it's necessary with this case due to the publicity that it's already had. And we had a juror dismissed this morning from seeing something on the case within that 24 hours.
Tennessee state law says that all criminal prosecutions, excluding death penalty cases, it is up to the judge to determine if a jury should be sequestered. Since this is the case for this trial, jurors will be put up at a Hamilton County hotel with no electronics. Their friends and family will be given a phone number to call in case of an emergency.
This is a first-degree murder case, which is defined by state law as the premeditated and intentional killing of another person. Premeditation means the intent to kill must have been formed before the act itself. And the trial begins Monday at 9 a.m. in Hamilton County, and we'll be bringing live updates from that. Reporting in Davidson County, Bryson Gordon, Equal 3 News.
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.
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Chapter 5: What are the jurors' responsibilities during sequestration?
When we arrived at the hotel, I checked into my room and began unpacking my clothes and other essentials. Knowing this would be my home for the foreseeable future, I moved in. To pass the time, I sketched a diagram of my hotel room. It's posted on our website if you're curious about my artistic skills.
The knocking on a door would become a new form of communication for me, serving both as my morning wake-up call and signaling the jury that the judge was ready for us. No TV, no phone, no electronics. This was all to ensure we remained shielded from any media coverage of the state of Tennessee versus Jason Chen. The rules were strict, but I understood why.
This case had dominated the news in Chattanooga. I've shared so much about the city of Chattanooga to help you understand why the jury for this trial had to be brought in from another part of the state. Cases like this are not common in Chattanooga, and Jasmine Pace's disappearance shook the entire community.
The search for Jasmine was everywhere, on the news, in the media, and on the hearts and minds of the people all over town. This was a city desperate for answers and desperate to bring Jasmine home. I understood the need for sequestration. This case wasn't just in the news. It was the news in Chattanooga. Next time on Sequestered.
This is the suitcase in which Jason Chinn stuffed the 98-pound body of Jasmine Pace.
Early morning hours of February 23rd, 2022. Jason Chinn killed.
The trial begins with shocking opening statements that set a defining tone. We'll hear from a mother desperate for answers and an investigator determined to uncover the truth. This is just the beginning. We'll see you in the next episode. 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.
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