BERRIEN COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) — A Berrien County man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after being convicted of a brutal family attack that shocked the Nashville, Georgia community. On July 16, 2025, Chief Superior Court Judge Clayton Tomlinson sentenced Jared Dean Zisman to life without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 25 years in prison.

The sentencing followed a swift conviction by a Berrien County jury on July 8, which took less than 45 minutes to find Zisman guilty of murdering his uncle and viciously attacking his mother and brother with a baseball bat on July 24, 2021.

During the two-day trial, prosecutors presented chilling evidence, including Zisman’s 911 call where he admitted to killing family members but stated, “the job wasn’t done.”

Bodycam footage from responding officers revealed the horrific aftermath of the attacks. Zisman’s mother, who was assaulted while she slept, suffered life-threatening injuries, including permanent loss of vision in one eye and multiple broken bones. His uncle, Mark Pagan, died from blunt force trauma to the head.

District Attorney Chase L. Studstill called the case one of the most disturbing of his career.

“The brutality of these crimes caused a visceral reaction in the community and the jury,” Studstill said.

He also highlighted incriminating custodial communications where Zisman confessed to planning the attacks and acknowledged having “done the unthinkable.”

“This man tried to destroy his entire family,” prosecutors stated during sentencing. “His punishment should reflect the vile and inhumane nature of his actions.”

Studstill credited the Nashville Police Department, Berrien County Sheriff’s Office and his prosecution team for their dedication.

“This conviction marks the fourth murder conviction in Berrien County in under a year, a testament to the hard work of everyone involved in making our community safer,” he said.

Zisman will serve life in prison without parole, followed by 25 additional years, ensuring he will never be released.

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