Episode 05: The Body in the Suitcase

SEQUESTERED Podcast

In this emotionally harrowing episode, Sara - Juror #11 - walks us through Day 4 of the trial against Jason Chen — the day the jury came face to face with the most difficult evidence yet.

Forensic expert Dr. Steven Cogswell takes the stand, leading the courtroom through the grim details of Jasmine Pace’s autopsy. Through X-rays, photographs, and expert testimony, the jury sees exactly how Jasmine was found — restrained, contorted inside a suitcase, and bearing the marks of 60 separate stab wounds.

The evidence paints a chilling picture, not just of violence, but of deliberate cruelty. A broken knife blade lodged inside Jasmine’s lung. Blood evidence that suggests a desperate struggle. And hauntingly, the moment when Jasmine sent her mother a location pin — her final message — just minutes after a scream was heard from Jason Chen’s apartment.

Sara also reflects on the weight of what it means to see these images firsthand, and how jurors’ own questions helped piece together a clearer but more devastating timeline.

This is the day the reality of the case truly set in — and it’s a day no one in that courtroom will ever forget.

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On our website, you can see more photos, videos, and blogs about each day of the trial, organized by episode. Go to SequesteredPod.com

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Thank you for listening.

SEQUESTERED is a BP Production.

Chapters

1. Warning: Graphic Evidence including Descriptions of Autopsy (00:00:00)

2. What Would the Jury See Today? (00:01:57)

3. Mr. Chen Can Keep Himself Composed or He Can Exit The Courtroom (00:03:37)

4. Medical Examiner Dr. Steven Cogswell Takes the Stand (00:06:18)

5. Back to Suck Creek Road Where the Suitcase Was Found (00:07:06)

6. What did the X-Ray of the Suitcase find? (00:08:58)

7. The Black Plastic Trash Bags (00:10:43)

8. Dr. Cogswell Walks the Jury Through Jasmine's Wounds (00:12:32)

9. Antemortem, Perimortem and Postmortem (00:13:06)

10. Look For The Blood (00:13:35)

11. Restrained in the Fetal Position (00:16:44)

12. The Blade of the Knife (00:30:45)

13. Latricia Thomas from NewsChannel 9 Shares Breaking News (00:32:12)

14. Cross-Examination of Dr. Cogswell (00:33:45)

15. Toxicology Report (00:35:00)

16. Injuries Consistent with being in the Fetal Position (00:37:18)

17. Putting the Pieces Together (00:40:50)

18. Parts of the Truth (00:42:33)

19. Jason Chen's Downstairs Neighbor (00:43:29)

20. The Location Pin Drop at 2:18 AM (00:44:30)

21. Trying To Understand What Happened to Jasmine Pace (00:44:55)

22. Juror Questions for Dr. Cogswell. Medical Examiner and Forensic Psychologist (00:47:15)

23. Kristen Shubert back on the Stand (00:51:09)

24. Next Week on SEQUESTERED (00:54:38)