Photo:Olivia Ross/Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP; Dade County Sheriff’s
Olivia Ross/Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP; Dade County Sheriff’s
A Tennessee man accused of killing his girlfriend in 2022 allegedly kept detailed notes on the woman’s past in his family’s home, according to investigators.
This week, as Chen stands trial, investigators and prosecutors are revealing more details about the couple’s allegedly tumultuous relationship prior to Pace’s killing.
During a search of Chen’s family home in Nolensville, police learned that Chen had pinned notes on his wall about Pace’s past, detective Zack Crawford said in court on Tuesday, Jan. 14, per theChattanooganand theChattanooga Times Free Press.
The notes also documented a timeline of his relationship and interactions with Pace,News Channel 9previously reported, citing prosecutors.
Jasmine “Jazzy” Pace.Dade County Sheriff’s Office
Other evidence presented in court showed blood under the carpet in Chen’s home in a manner that Crawford testified was consistent with someone being put under the bed, Local 3 News reported.
“The blood of Jasmine Pace was found all over that apartment,” Wamp testified in court on Monday, the Chattanoogan reported.
Prosecutors allege Pace was stabbed 60 times before she was put in the suitcase with each of her arms handcuffed to each of her legs, per the outlet.
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’sfree True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
The 2022 murder investigation picked up steam only after Pace’s family relentlessly pushed the investigation along, Wamp said, per theChattanooga Times Free Press.
Family members tracked Pace’s phone to Chen’s home, and broke in using a credit card, the Chattanoogan reported. They located several items belonging to Pace in the residence, prompting police to investigate.
Police later located Chen at his family’s home three hours away in Nolesville.
Jason Chen in court.Olivia Ross/Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP
Olivia Ross/Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP
Chen’s defense acknowledges he killed Pace but claims the circumstances warrant a voluntary manslaughter charge, not one of first-degree murder, per the Chattanoogan.
Defense attorney Josh Weiss alleged in court on Monday that Pace came at Chen with a wine bottle after learning about him messaging other women, the Chattanoogan reported.
Chen then allegedly stabbed the victim and blacked out, only to wake up and find Pace unconscious, Weiss said.
Voluntary manslaughter convictions carry a maximum sentence of 15 years and maximum fine of $10,000 in Tennessee; a first-degree murder conviction in the state can carry the death penalty, life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, or life imprisonment with possible parole.
The trial is ongoing.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go tothehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
source: people.com
