New details emerged in a high-profile murder case in Tennessee during a court hearing on Thursday. Jason Chen, a 24-year-old, is accused of first-degree murder in the tragic death of his girlfriend, Jasmine “Jazzy” Pace, who was just 22 years old.
Jasmine went missing after her family last saw her alive on November 22, 2022. Less than two weeks later, on December 1, her body was found in a heartbreaking discovery. She was wrapped in a garbage bag and stuffed inside a suitcase near Suck Creek Road in a rural area of Chattanooga. Authorities revealed she had been stabbed around 60 times and was found with handcuffs and bindings on her ankles and wrist.
The case has sparked intense emotions and legal battles. During Thursday’s hearing, Chen’s defense attorney argued against the use of a body-camera video that captured his arrest. The footage was taken while police were executing a search warrant at Chen’s residence and showed him being led away in handcuffs.
“This video shouldn’t be shown in court,” his attorney argued. He said it was unfair because Chen was partially undressed in the video, wasn’t read his Miranda rights, and was being used as a translator for his Mandarin-speaking parents while officers explained the search warrant.
The defense also claimed that showing Chen being handcuffed could unfairly influence the jury, making him appear guilty before evidence was even considered. “Seeing someone get arrested creates a strong impression of guilt,” the attorney argued.
On the other hand, prosecutors said the video was important because it showed Chen wearing a red hat, which appeared in other surveillance footage tied to the case. They also believed the video showed Chen’s calm demeanor, which they argued could be relevant to the case.
Judge Boyd M. Patterson seemed to agree with parts of both arguments. He expressed concerns about potential prejudice, especially since parts of the video were in Mandarin, which might lead to misunderstandings if jurors tried to interpret it themselves. The judge suggested that prosecutors trim the video down to a brief clip that focused on relevant details like the red hat and the location being searched.
Another point of contention in court was whether Jasmine Pace could be referred to as a “victim” during the trial. Chen’s defense argued against it, but the judge overruled that request. The judge also allowed prosecutors to use an illustration created by a state medical expert. This illustration combines photos showing the suitcase where Jasmine’s body was found, with markings to highlight where the handcuffs had pressed against the fabric.
Jury selection for the trial is set to begin next Wednesday, with the trial itself starting on January 13. As this case moves forward, it continues to capture attention for its tragic circumstances and the legal battles surrounding the evidence.
