Berrien Man Sentenced to Life Without Parole for Brutal Family Attack

NASHVILLE, GA – A Berrien County man has been sentenced to life without the possibility of parole plus an additional 25 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of murder and the vicious baseball bat attack on his mother and brother.

On July 8, 2025, a Berrien County jury took less than 45 minutes to convict Jared Dean Zisman, 24, of murdering his uncle, Mark Pagan, and brutally assaulting his mother and brother. The shocking crimes occurred on July 24, 2021, and sent shockwaves through the small southern town.

Evidence presented during the two-day trial revealed that Zisman himself called 911 after the attacks, stating he had killed his family with a baseball bat and that “the job wasn’t done.” After the initial attack on his uncle and mother, Zisman’s brother managed to wrestle the bat away from him and escape.

District Attorney Chase L. Studstill emphasized the profound impact of the crimes. “The brutality of the crimes caused a visceral reaction in the community and to the jury who heard and saw the case over a two day period.”

Studstill further stated that his office obtained custodial communications made by Zisman from the Berrien County Law Enforcement Center after the crimes. In these communications, Zisman admitted he had “done the unthinkable” and had planned the attacks.

The jury was also shown bodycam footage from responding officers, which revealed the “aftermath and savagery of the attack.” Studstill detailed the severity of the injuries: “His mother’s injuries were so severe that she was hospitalized for months and almost died. He attacked and killed his uncle, then attacked his own mother while she slept. His mother lost permanent use of her left eye and both of her arms were broken when she tried to defend herself.” An autopsy confirmed that Mark Pagan died of blunt force trauma to the head.

On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, Chief Superior Court Judge Clayton Tomlinson handed down Zisman’s sentence. During the sentencing hearing, the state argued, “this man tried to destroy his entire family. His sentence should reflect the vile, vicious and inhumane way he treated his family.”

District Attorney Studstill thanked the Nashville Police Department and Berrien County Sheriff’s Office for their “excellent work and professionalism in bringing Mr. Zisman to justice.” He also praised his prosecution team, including Chief Assistant District Attorney Allen Lawson and Assistant District Attorney Michelle Avis, for their “excellent job in maneuvering through a number of legal obstacles.”

“We have had four murder convictions in less than 12 months in Berrien County which is a remarkable feat and a testament to the hard work of our office,” Studstill added, highlighting his office’s commitment to community safety.