After he was found guilty of first-degree murder, Jason Chen has requested a new trial.
The motion, filed by his attorney, Joshua Weiss, two days after Chen’s sentencing, states that the verdict contradicts the evidence and that the evidence at trial was insufficient, therefore Chen was denied a fair trial.
Weiss also filed a motion to withdraw as Chen’s counsel, which would relieve Weiss and Amanda Morrison, Chen’s other attorney, of their obligation to represent Chen further.
Chen, 24, was convicted of first degree murder and abuse of a corpse, and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
(READ MORE: Jason Chen sentenced to life without possibility of parole for murder of Jasmine Pace)
Chen stabbed his girlfriend, Jasmine Pace, killing her in his apartment Nov. 23, 2022. He then put her body in a hard shell suitcase and disposed of it in the Tennessee River. The jury found Chen guilty after deliberating for less than an hour.
Weiss and Morrison are on the docket for Feb. 7, when both motions will be heard by Judge Boyd Patterson.
Contact Kailee Shores at kshores@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6659.