A significant pre-trial hearing in a Tennessee murder case took place on January 2, 2025, where Jason Chen, 24, faces charges of first-degree murder for the death of his 22-year-old girlfriend, Jasmine “Jazzy” Pace. The case has drawn attention due to the gruesome nature of the crime, with Pace being found in a suitcase, bound and stabbed nearly 60 times. She was last seen alive by her family on November 22, 2022, and her body was discovered in a rural area of Chattanooga on December 1, 2022.
During the hearing, several motions were debated, including one from the defense to exclude body-worn camera footage taken during a search of Chen’s residence. The footage, which depicts Chen being placed in handcuffs, was argued by the defense to be prejudicial, as it could give the jury an unfair impression of guilt. The defense also raised concerns about the absence of a Miranda warning and potential issues related to Chen’s language barrier, as the video shows him speaking Mandarin to his parents. The defense contended that the footage, showing Chen’s arrest without any incriminating statements, had no probative value and should not be admitted.
The prosecution, on the other hand, argued that the video was crucial for identifying Chen at the scene of the search. They also pointed to his demeanor during the interaction, suggesting it could provide insight into his state of mind. The prosecution emphasized the significance of Chen’s red hat, which appeared in the footage and was visible in other recordings from different locations on different days, making it relevant evidence.
Judge Boyd M. Patterson acknowledged the potential issues with the video, particularly the risk of unfair prejudice, but also recognized the prosecution’s argument about the relevance of the footage for identification purposes. After considering both sides, the judge ruled that the video should be edited to a 30-second clip that captures the relevant aspects of Chen’s interaction, particularly his demeanor and the red hat. The judge expressed concerns about the potential for bias if the full video, which might contain irrelevant or unclear footage, were shown to the jury.
In addition to the video motion, other motions were addressed during the hearing. The judge overruled the defense’s request to prevent the prosecution from referring to Pace as the “victim” during the trial, and also allowed the use of a composite illustration created by a state medical professional. The illustration, which was based on photographs of the suitcase in which Pace was found, highlighted areas where the handcuffs were visible through the fabric.
Jury selection for the trial is set to begin on January 7, 2025, with the trial itself scheduled to start on January 13. As the case progresses, the legal arguments surrounding the admissibility of evidence and the portrayal of the defendant will continue to shape the direction of the trial.
