Juror Number 8

Serving on this jury was a really sober and humbling experience. Everyone in the gallery was reliving one of the most traumatic experiences of their lives in excruciating detail.

Serving on this jury was a really sober and humbling experience. Everyone in the gallery was reliving one of the most traumatic experiences of their lives in excruciating detail.

And then everyone not in the gallery was really patient with us as they explained the most elementary concepts of criminal procedure and explained all the details of a case they had been working on for over two years for probably the hundredth time.

And then everyone not in the gallery was really patient with us as they explained the most elementary concepts of criminal procedure and explained all the details of a case they had been working on for over two years for probably the hundredth time.

The decision we made was straightforward, but it was solemn, and several of the more compassionate members of the jury cried just about the situation that we were in.

The decision we made was straightforward, but it was solemn, and several of the more compassionate members of the jury cried just about the situation that we were in.

I gotta tell y'all, if I was in Katrina Bean's spot, you guys are who I would want fighting for me, truly. Thank you.

I gotta tell y'all, if I was in Katrina Bean's spot, you guys are who I would want fighting for me, truly. Thank you.

Before we get into this episode, I want to give you a heads up. It contains graphic descriptions of violence, including details from an autopsy. Out of respect for Jasmine and her family, we've chosen to hold back on some of the more graphic details. But what you will hear may still be unsettling. So please listen with care. It's Thursday, January 16th, 2025. Day four of the trial.

Before we get into this episode, I want to give you a heads up. It contains graphic descriptions of violence, including details from an autopsy. Out of respect for Jasmine and her family, we've chosen to hold back on some of the more graphic details. But what you will hear may still be unsettling. So please listen with care. It's Thursday, January 16th, 2025. Day four of the trial.

Before we even stepped into the jury room this morning, we could feel the weight of what was coming. I went to bed last night bracing myself for today, trying to prepare my mind and my heart for what we were about to see. But how do you prepare for something like this? As jurors, part of our job was to face the evidence, to see what no one should ever have to see.

Before we even stepped into the jury room this morning, we could feel the weight of what was coming. I went to bed last night bracing myself for today, trying to prepare my mind and my heart for what we were about to see. But how do you prepare for something like this? As jurors, part of our job was to face the evidence, to see what no one should ever have to see.

Today, we would see images of Jasmine Pace's lifeless body, and with them, the undeniable reality of what was done to her. We already knew the facts. She was stabbed 60 times, restrained, and stuffed into a suitcase. But knowing and seeing, those are two entirely different things. No one should ever have to witness another human being in that state. And yet, here we were.

Today, we would see images of Jasmine Pace's lifeless body, and with them, the undeniable reality of what was done to her. We already knew the facts. She was stabbed 60 times, restrained, and stuffed into a suitcase. But knowing and seeing, those are two entirely different things. No one should ever have to witness another human being in that state. And yet, here we were.

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 5, The Body in the Suitcase.

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 5, The Body in the Suitcase.

I learned this only after the fact, but while we were waiting in the jury room that morning, DA Cody Womp noticed that Defense Attorney Weiss moved a trash can near Jason Chen at the defense table, along with a box of tissues. Here's a clip of how that scene played out in the courtroom just minutes before the jury came in.

I learned this only after the fact, but while we were waiting in the jury room that morning, DA Cody Womp noticed that Defense Attorney Weiss moved a trash can near Jason Chen at the defense table, along with a box of tissues. Here's a clip of how that scene played out in the courtroom just minutes before the jury came in.

As you can tell, DA Womp raises her concerns to the judge about Jason Chen receiving preferential treatment. She points out that Weiss moved the trash can and tissues near their table, implying that the defendant may be trying to sway the court's perception.

As you can tell, DA Womp raises her concerns to the judge about Jason Chen receiving preferential treatment. She points out that Weiss moved the trash can and tissues near their table, implying that the defendant may be trying to sway the court's perception.