In a closely watched trial, Sarah Boone was found guilty of second-degree murder after a jury deliberated briefly on Friday, concluding Boone’s involvement in the 2020 death of her boyfriend, Jorge Torres. Prosecutors argued that Boone, 47, maliciously zipped Torres, 42, into a suitcase and left him to die, accusing her of using the act as punishment in a disturbing sequence of events. Torres ultimately died from asphyxiation, trapped inside the suitcase overnight.   

Central to the prosecution's argument was video evidence from Boone’s cell phone, which showed Torres confined inside the suitcase. In two separate videos recorded just 11 minutes apart, Torres can be heard calling out Boone’s name and repeatedly saying, "I can't breathe." Prosecutors contended this evidence demonstrated Boone's awareness of Torres' suffering.

"This is a very horrific homicide," said State Attorney Andrew Bain. "Nobody really should have to endure this type of struggle and fight for their lives and have to die alone, begging for their last breath inside a suitcase. Today, justice was served with the conviction of Sarah Boone."

Boone's defense team, led by attorney James Owens, argued that Boone was the victim of an abusive relationship, presenting evidence of past police involvement in the couple’s tumultuous relationship. Owens asserted that Boone suffered from Battered Spouse Syndrome, suggesting she acted without malice.

"She's just in shock," Owens said during an impromptu news conference outside the courthouse. "We're, obviously, really disappointed. We did the best that we could, you know, in the time that we had to prepare. Sarah really liked the team, and we all got along."

Despite the defense’s assertions, prosecutors maintained that Boone’s actions were calculated, noting that she did not attempt to help Torres as he struggled. They argued she had malicious intent, intending to harm him rather than seek help, highlighting a volatile relationship that escalated into tragedy.

Before the trial, Boone was offered a plea deal for a reduced charge of manslaughter, which would have carried a 15-year prison sentence. She rejected the offer, opting to go to trial in hopes of clearing her name.

The trial concluded after four years of legal maneuvering, which included Boone's rotation through multiple attorneys and several pretrial hearings. Boone's sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 2 at 1:30 p.m., where she will face the possibility of a significant prison term for the second-degree murder conviction.

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