Episode 10 - After the Verdict

The final episode of Sequestered: A Juror’s Perspective on the Murder Trial for Jasmine Pace is here, and it's surreal to think about how this journey began. In January 2025, I was selected to serve on the jury for the State of Tennessee versus Jason Chen. What started as a civic duty became something far more profound—an experience that altered my life in ways I never expected.

From the moment I returned home to Nashville, it was as if my mind and heart couldn’t leave Chattanooga behind. Within a day, my co-producer Andrea and I were already recording the trailer for this podcast. Just three days later, we were back in Chattanooga, retracing Jasmine’s steps, standing in the places that had only been described to us during the trial.

A Commitment to Jasmine’s Story

Sometimes, a force so immense comes into your life, and you just have to step into its current. For me, that force was Jasmine’s story. It was like a ship pulling up alongside me, and without hesitation, I climbed aboard. It felt like all of this aligned for a reason. Saying yes to this journey wasn’t just a decision—it was a commitment.

The weight of that commitment has been something I’ve carried with me every day since the trial. It’s why Andrea and I poured over 40 hours a week into researching, writing, editing, producing, and building this podcast. We wanted to honor Jasmine’s life, to ensure her name was remembered for who she was—not just what happened to her.

Interviewing the Prosecutors

In this episode, Andrea and I had the privilege of sitting with District Attorneys General Coty Wamp and Paul Moyle. Their dedication to this case and their commitment to justice left a deep impression on me. DA Wamp’s passion was evident throughout the entire trial, and during our conversation, she explained her advocacy for victims’ rights:

“This office, any prosecutor's office, should be victim-focused. Or why are we all here? We have to make sure we're taking care of this community, not just public safety, but taking care of people in this community. You really get to know the victim well. 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, for worse. Sometimes you learn bad things, you know, but you get to know them.” - Coty Wamp

For DA Moyle, his hope was for people to understand the broader impact of crime:

“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, that's something that I think most people don’t realize—just the sheer scope of crime and how it affects, really, the entire community.” - Paul Moyle

Their words resonated with me. This case wasn’t just about what happened to Jasmine. It was about the countless people affected by her loss and the ripples that tragedy sends through a community.

Processing the Experience

Many listeners have asked me why I chose to make this podcast instead of just moving on. The answer is simple: These stories need to be told. We often hear the names of perpetrators splashed across headlines, but the victims’ names are forgotten. Jasmine deserved better than that.

I keep coming back to DA Wamp’s words during her closing statement:

“Jasmine Pace is not just some girl listed in the 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 from him.”

She’s absolutely right. It’s why Andrea and I felt so compelled to do this. Jasmine deserves to be remembered for who she was—a person full of life and love.

DA Paul Moyle, Sara (Juror #11), and General Coty Wamp

Reflections and Moving Forward

I’ve thought a lot about whether I would serve on a jury again after this experience. It’s hard to say yes right away because this has been such an intense, emotional, and mentally exhausting journey. But I recognize how important it is to have people willing to show up and do their best to seek justice.

What this experience has taught me is that being a juror is more than just a civic duty—it’s a profound act of service. It’s holding someone’s fate in your hands and knowing that real lives are impacted by the decisions you make.

Continuing Jasmine’s Story

This podcast was our way of keeping Jasmine’s memory alive. We wanted to ensure that her story didn’t just fade away, swallowed up by headlines and court transcripts. Jasmine Pace deserves to be remembered, and her story deserves to be told.

Thank you for listening to Sequestered: A Juror’s Perspective on the Murder Trial for Jasmine Pace. 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.

Visit our website at sequesteredpod.com for more information and resources. Until next time, stay curious and stay safe.