Episode 6 – The Evidence Tells the Story
- Sara
- Mar 14
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 6
Day 5 of the trial: Tennessee v. Jason Chen
The murder trial for Jasmine Pace
Listen here:
In Episode 6 of Sequestered, Sara (Juror 11) walks listeners through the digital and forensic evidence that cemented Jason Chen’s involvement in Jasmine Pace’s murder.
Fingerprint analysis linked him to the crime.
GPS data and phone records tracked his every move.
Surveillance footage placed him at the scene.
By the end of the day, it was clear: Jason Chen left behind a trail of evidence—one that told the story of Jasmine’s final moments.
The Jury Prepares for Another Heavy Day
After the brutal autopsy testimony in Episode 5, the jury was now shifting gears—moving from physical evidence to digital forensics.
Before testimony began, Sara noted a key moment:
🗓️ Jurors were reminded that they would continue deliberations on Martin Luther King Jr. Day—a sign that the case was moving quickly toward its final phase.
Then, the first expert witnesses took the stand.
Fingerprint Evidence: A Silent Witness
Jennifer Moody, a fingerprint technician, testified about the collection, storage, and comparison of fingerprints in criminal investigations.
🔎 The fingerprint expert analyzed four key impressions:
1️⃣ One from Jasmine’s car.
2️⃣ One belonging to an investigator.
3️⃣ Two from Jason Chen
The most damning discovery?
A fingerprint matching Jason Chen was found on the outermost garbage bag containing Jasmine’s body. 👉 It was his left middle or ring finger.
There was no reasonable explanation for how Chen’s fingerprint ended up on the very bag used to conceal Jasmine’s remains.
But that was only the beginning.
Digital Forensics: Tracking Jason’s Every Move
Investigator Mark Hamilton took the stand next, breaking down Chen’s movements through digital forensics:
📍 GPS and Cell Tower Pings:
Jasmine’s phone was last active at 6:33 PM on November 22—the night she was killed.
Jason Chen’s phone records placed him at the same locations as Jasmine throughout the evening.
Data showed both phones traveling together—but only Chen’s phone was active after Jasmine disappeared.
💻 A Digital Cover-Up:
After Jasmine’s murder, Chen deleted apps from his phone.
He inserted his own SIM card into Jasmine’s phone, likely to manipulate messages and records.
Jasmine’s actual phone has never been found.
🔍 Surveillance Footage Confirms the Worst
Tremont Street cameras captured Chen carrying a heavy suitcase from his apartment to his car—the same suitcase later found at Suck Creek Road.
He struggled to lift and maneuver the case, reinforcing the prosecution’s argument: Jasmine’s body was inside.
Chen was later seen driving to the exact location where her remains were dumped.
The Defense Tries to Fight Back
Knowing the digital trail was overwhelming, the defense turned to discrediting the evidence:
❓ Could someone else have used Chen’s phone?
💬 No. The data confirmed Chen’s unique usage patterns.
❓ Was Jasmine’s location pin screenshot fake?
💬 No. Investigators verified its authenticity.
❓ Were all of Jason and Jasmine’s text messages relevant?
💬 The judge ruled that only relevant, non-sexual messages would be admitted.
The defense struggled to introduce doubt, but the data didn’t lie.
The Text Messages: A Look into Their Relationship
📱 The jury was given access to Jasmine and Jason’s text history—an attempt by the defense to show a normal relationship with no signs of conflict.
The messages showed affection, casual plans, and everyday conversations.
The defense wanted to suggest there was no warning sign of violence.
But this argument fell flat when stacked against:
The forensic evidence.
The surveillance footage.
The digital records proving Jason’s post-murder behavior.
A healthy relationship doesn’t end with one person handcuffed inside a suitcase.
Investigator Zack Crawford Returns to the Stand
To counter the defense’s arguments, Investigator Zack Crawford was recalled to clarify key points:
✔️ How his own fingerprints ended up on Chen’s car—a routine result of processing evidence.
✔️ The verification of the location pin screenshot.
✔️ The nature of Jason and Jasmine’s digital communication.
📌 The final takeaway?
Jason Chen tried to erase Jasmine’s presence—both physically and digitally.
The digital footprint he left behind told the truth of what happened.
By the end of the day, the prosecution rested its case.
Now, it was the defense’s turn.
What’s Next?
The Defense’s Last Attempt to Save Jason Chen
Episode 7 will explore the defense’s case.
What arguments will they make?
Will they attempt to shift blame?
Can they poke holes in the prosecution’s airtight case?
Here is a video from NewsChannel 9 about Day 5 in the courtroom:
