Your Questions, Answered

Hey friends – Sara and Andrea here.

The response to Sequestered has been overwhelming, and we’re so grateful. We've read every review, message, and email you've sent, and we noticed that a lot of the same thoughtful questions kept coming up.

So in this bonus episode, we sat down to answer them. From the handcuffs and shackles, to Jason Chen’s motive, to what it's really like being sequestered — we’re diving into all of it. You can listen here:

The Handcuffs and Shackles: When, Why, and What They Reveal

Let’s start with the most frequently asked question:

When did Jason Chen buy the handcuffs and shackles? And do they suggest premeditation?

Here’s what we know: There’s no receipt, timeline, or record of purchase. According to Dr. Cogswell, the shackles were novelty-grade—cheap, aluminum-style restraints—something you might find at Spencer’s or on Amazon, not standard law enforcement gear.

And yes — they were still on Jasmine when she was found. With keys attached. The shackle had left visible rust stains on her forearm, confirming that they probably weren’t added postmortem.

The Fetal Position and the Attack

Was Jasmine already shackled and handcuffed before she was attacked?

According to Dr. Cogswell’s testimony, yes — the wounds clustered on one side of her body and the defensive injuries on her one free arm suggest she was already in a fetal position when attacked. That position, paired with the restraints, indicates she was unable to fully defend herself.

Her left arm, the free one, showed deep cuts — clearly defensive wounds. It's possible she was trying to shield her face.

Was Jason Chen Offered a Plea Deal?

From everything we’ve read and what we saw during the trial, it doesn’t appear Jason was ever offered a plea deal. The prosecution didn’t know his defense attorney would open with “Jason killed Jasmine” — a move that surprised even the family. With no admission of guilt beforehand, the case went to trial, and the DA sought life without parole.

Why Did He Do It? What Was the Motive?

That’s the question we all wish we had a real answer to.

There’s no documented history of abuse. No criminal record. No known outbursts. But we’ve heard post-trial stories from former friends and roommates describing manipulative behavior, social sabotage, even identity theft.

One chilling account from a former college roommate described Jason hacking into his Facebook, posting hate speech that cost him his job. Still, none of that explains a brutal, calculated murder.

Was this his first time? Was he capable of more? We may never know.

The Chattanooga Police Response

Some listeners expressed outrage at the Chattanooga PD’s early handling of the case, especially when Jasmine’s family found her car and later, her belongings in Jason’s apartment. The prosecutors themselves admitted that police didn’t act fast enough at the beginning. Fortunately, once engaged, the department did pursue the case with urgency.

Still, the fact that a five-foot bloodstain went unnoticed in an early search is hard to ignore.

What Could the Defense Have Done Differently?

Sara (Juror #11) shares that she was waiting all week to hear the defense’s case, but their three witnesses only reinforced the prosecution’s argument. She and another juror both wondered: Where was the psychologist? Where were the character witnesses? Their absence left a void that ultimately didn’t help Jason’s defense.

Jason’s Mother’s Testimony

An intensely emotional moment in the courtroom occurred when Jason’s mother gave her testimony through a translator. She had attended every day of the trial but only spoke at the conclusion. Although she was heartbroken, no words from her could have altered the verdict. Her anguish was apparent, as was the reality of her son’s deeds.

Could Jason Be a Serial Killer?

We don’t know. Some speculate that this was the first act of something far darker. The handcuffs, the planning, the cleanup—it all points to something that felt methodical. But we cannot know what was going on inside his mind.

Juror Life and Sequestration Behind the Scenes

We also answered some practical questions about being a sequestered juror:

• Yes, we had one five-minute phone call a day.

• No, we couldn’t discuss the case — just minor updates like where we had dinner or if the pets were okay at home.

• Our phones were locked away, face down, and monitored.

• Every day, we were asked if we had been exposed to news about the case, and if we had, we’d be dismissed.

It was a surreal experience, and one we’ll never forget.

Why Tell This Story?

Some have asked if it’s ethical for a juror to tell this story. Sara's honest take is: “I’m telling the story through my eyes, as a juror. As someone who sat in that courtroom every day. It helped me process what happened, and I believe Jasmine’s life deserves to be remembered — not just for how it ended, but for who she was.”

What’s Next for Sequestered?

We’re already working on Season 2. It won’t be another juror story — but it will be about those who’ve been sequestered differently: missing persons, unsolved crimes, and victims who deserve their stories told.

We believe victim-centric storytelling matters—not for clicks or headlines but because people like Jasmine Pace deserve to be remembered.

Visit SequesteredPod.com for episode blogs, behind-the-scenes content, and more.

Subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Keep the questions coming: we read every one! sequesteredpod@gmail.com

And most importantly, thank you for holding space for Jasmine’s story.