Episode 4 – Inside the Crime Scene

Day 3 of the trial: Tennessee v. Jason Chen

The murder trial for Jasmine Pace

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In Episode 4, Sara (Juror 11) steps directly inside the crime scene, recounting the harrowing moment when forensic evidence—blood-stained carpet, surveillance footage, and digital records—revealed the chilling reality of Jasmine Pace’s murder. This wasn’t just a case anymore. This was standing over the very spot where Jasmine’s life was taken.

A Courtroom Transformed

By Day 3 of the trial, the jury had settled into the rhythm of sequestration. The hotel lobby call, the silent walk into the courthouse, the blue jury chairs bolted to the floor—everything had become a part of their new reality.

But on January 15, 2025, something was different. As Sara and the jurors filed into the courtroom, their eyes were drawn to the floor. A large blue tarp had been laid out, just feet from the jury box.

The meaning was clear. Today, they weren’t just hearing about the crime scene—they were stepping into it.

Crime Scene Investigator Michelle Johnson Takes the Stand

The prosecution called Michelle Johnson, a seasoned crime scene investigator with years of experience. Her task? Find the blood.

Blood Spatter inside Jason Chen's apartment

🔎 Evidence revealed in Jason Chen’s apartment at 110 Tremont Street:

Blood smeared behind the couch.
Stains on the doorframe.
Spatter on the walls.
A massive pool of blood soaked deep into the carpet.

Blue Star reaction looking into Jason Chen's apartment

Johnson described the Blue Star reaction, a forensic test similar to luminol, as one of the strongest she had ever seen.

💬 Prosecutor Paul Moyle pressed her for confirmation:

“Was there a strong Blue Star reaction in the bathroom?”“Yes.”“In the bedroom?”“Yes.”“In the kitchen?”“Yes.”

The reality was clear: Violence had unfolded in nearly every corner of that apartment.

The Blood-Stained Carpet: A Haunting Reminder

The prosecution unsealed a large evidence box—inside was a large section of blood-stained carpet, cut directly from Jason Chen’s bedroom floor.

The stain was massive, roughly the size of a body in the fetal position.

Jasmine’s blood had seeped through every layer—carpet, padding, and finally, into the wooden subfloor beneath it.

Judge Patterson invited the jurors to stand for a closer look. Sara leaned over the edge of the jury box, staring at the dark, oxidized stain, and asked herself:

How much blood would it take to create a stain this big? A medical examiner would later confirm the horrifying truth: Nearly every ounce of Jasmine’s blood had drained from her body.

Carpet from Jason Chen's apartment with blood stains. This sat in front of the jury box.

Glass Shards and a Defense in Doubt

The defense had previously argued that Jasmine attacked Chen first, breaking a wine bottle and striking him with a glass.

But when tiny glass fragments were presented as evidence, the courtroom saw the truth:

There were fewer than a dozen pieces.
The largest was only a few centimeters in diameter.
Nothing suggested a struggle that could justify Chen’s actions.

This wasn’t a case of self-defense. This was a cover-up unraveling before the jury’s eyes.

A Silent Witness: Jason Chen’s Car

Investigators searched Chen’s 2018 gray Toyota Camry, parked in his parents’ garage after Jasmine’s murder.

The trunk liner in Jason's Camry told the story:

Parallel streaks of dirt, consistent with suitcase wheels rolling across the surface.
A side-by-side comparison with the suitcase containing Jasmine’s body.

The imprints matched exactly.

For the jury, this was another brick in the wall of undeniable evidence.

Surveillance Footage and the Unanswered Question: Where Did the Cleanup Go?

Investigators retraced Chen’s movements through surveillance footage and store receipts.

November 23, 2022 (The day after Jasmine’s disappearance):

Walmart, Walgreens, and other stores.
Purchases included: Isopropyl alcohol, Bounty paper towels, hydrogen peroxide.
Trash bags—only 11 remained in a box that should have contained 40.

But where were the missing trash bags?

Investigators never found them.

No blood-soaked towels, no remnants of the clean-up.

After sequestration, Sara and her producer drove behind Walmart, looking for dumpsters—trying to answer the question the trial couldn’t. There were dumpsters available to the side of the Walmart, and we still wonder if that surveillance footage was secured by Chattanooga PD.