A mom's desperate search to find her daughter. Tears and fury in an Ohio courtroom. And the latest in the Karen Read case.
Dateline NBC
Deep Dive
What happened to Jasmine Pace, and how did her mother respond to her disappearance?
Jasmine Pace, a 22-year-old college student, went missing on November 23, 2022, after sending her mother a pin drop of her location. Her mother, Katrina, and family forced open the door to Jason Chen's apartment, where they found Jasmine's phone, license, and credit cards. Days later, Jasmine's body was discovered in a suitcase; she had been stabbed 60 times. Katrina's unauthorized investigation has been criticized by the defense, but the judge ruled all evidence admissible in the upcoming trial.
Why is the Pike County Massacre considered one of the most gruesome crimes in Ohio history?
The Pike County Massacre involved the murder of eight members of the Roden family, including a 16-year-old boy, across four different locations on April 22, 2016. The Wagners, a neighboring family, were accused of orchestrating the killings over a custody dispute involving a child. The crime was particularly shocking due to its scale, brutality, and the fact that it was allegedly planned to eliminate any potential retaliation.
What role did Jake Wagner play in the Pike County Massacre, and what was his sentence?
Jake Wagner, a member of the Wagner family, pleaded guilty to his role in the Pike County Massacre and cooperated with investigators. He led them to the murder weapons and provided detailed accounts of the killings. Despite expectations of a life sentence, he was sentenced to 32 years with the possibility of parole, a decision that surprised many.
What is the significance of Dr. Marie Russell's testimony in the Karen Read case?
Dr. Marie Russell, a retired emergency room doctor, testified that injuries on John O'Keefe's arm were consistent with dog bites, which is critical to Karen Read's defense. Read claims O'Keefe was beaten by people at a house where she dropped him off, not run over by her car. Prosecutors argue Russell's opinions are subjective, and the judge has yet to rule on whether her testimony will be allowed in the retrial.
What new charges were brought against Matthew Muller, and why are they significant?
Matthew Muller, already serving 40 years for kidnapping Denise Huskins, faces new charges for two 2009 home invasions where women were drugged and threatened with rape. Advances in DNA technology linked him to these cases. The new charges highlight a pattern of predatory behavior and add to the complexity of his criminal history.
What was the outcome of Richard Allen's trial for the Delphi murders?
Richard Allen was convicted of the 2017 murders of Liberty German and Abigail Williams, two schoolgirls found near a creek in Delphi, Indiana. He was sentenced to 130 years in prison. The case drew significant attention due to its brutality and the emotional impact on the community.
How does pretrial publicity affect jury decision-making, according to Dr. Natalie Gordon?
Pretrial publicity can significantly impact jury decision-making, as jurors often misattribute information from media coverage to evidence presented in court. Even with sequestration, jurors may still be influenced by pre-trial media exposure, making it difficult to ensure impartiality.
What is the process of jury selection, and how do lawyers influence it?
Jury selection, or voir dire, involves questioning potential jurors about scheduling conflicts and biases. Lawyers can remove jurors they believe may not be impartial, a process often referred to as jury deselection. The goal is to assemble a fair and unbiased jury, though pretrial publicity and other factors can complicate this process.
- Jasmine Pace's unsettling text message and pin drop location.
- Katrina's unauthorized entry into Chen's apartment and collection of evidence.
- The admissibility of the evidence found by Katrina.
- The impact of the mother's actions on the trial.
- The community's reaction to Jasmine's disappearance.
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