Sarah Boone, accused of second-degree murder in the death of her boyfriend, Jorge Torres Jr., took the stand in an Orlando courtroom Tuesday. Boone testified that she zipped Torres inside a suitcase out of fear for her life, describing years of abuse and threats that led to the tragic incident in February 2020.

Boone, 47, told the jury she didn’t intend for Torres to die when she placed him in the suitcase. Over the course of five hours, Boone, dressed in a black jacket and blue blouse, explained she believed Torres was lying when he said he couldn’t breathe. “I thought he was faking it, just to get out and hurt me again,” she said. Torres’ family members were present in the courtroom for her testimony. 

The events that led to Torres’ death occurred on an otherwise normal day. Boone testified that the couple spent time together tidying the house, running errands, and drinking wine. However, by the end of the evening, their playful behavior turned deadly. Boone recalled that Torres, who was 5 feet, 3 inches and weighed around 100 pounds, got into a suitcase, laughing. But when he began struggling to escape, Boone recorded part of the incident on her cellphone, believing it was a safe way for her to confront him about their troubled relationship.

“I wanted him to understand that right now I feel safe, and right now I have the ability to speak to you in a way that I normally wouldn’t,” Boone explained on the stand. 

Boone also described a violent history with Torres. According to her testimony, Torres had been arrested multiple times for physically abusing her. 

One incident in July 2018 involved Torres kicking her in the face. Boone, in turn, had also been arrested for attempting to choke him during a separate altercation, which she claimed was in self-defense. Her defense attorney, James Owens, showed the jury photos of Boone’s injuries, including a black eye and a scar from a stabbing incident where Torres allegedly attacked her with a steak knife.

Boone claimed the abuse on the night of Torres’ death escalated after he threatened to “f***ing end” her, prompting her to trap him in the suitcase. Boone said she was terrified he would escape and harm her. “He always told me he’d make me unrecognizable or kill me,” she told the court.

During the trial, the prosecution and defense debated over Boone’s claim of Battered Spouse Syndrome. Dr. Sara Zydowicz, the medical examiner, testified about Torres’ injuries, including bruises on his back, forearms, and head, some of which could have been caused by Boone jabbing Torres’ hand with a baseball bat as he tried to escape the suitcase.

Owens defended Boone’s actions as a response to years of abuse. "If she let him out of the suitcase, she was going to be harmed,” Owens argued to Circuit Judge Michael Kraynick, who ultimately ruled that Boone could continue to claim her actions were influenced by Battered Spouse Syndrome. The judge said Boone’s testimony showed she perceived threats differently due to her history of abuse, potentially altering her decision-making.

Prosecutors, however, pointed to Boone’s contradictory statements, including when she initially told jurors she couldn’t remember parts of the night. Assistant State Attorney William Jay cross-examined Boone and introduced the teal suitcase Torres died in, asking her to demonstrate how she had zipped it up. Boone’s responses often conflicted with previous testimony.

The trial is set to continue with testimony from forensic psychologist Dr. Michael Brannon, who is expected to provide expert insights on Battered Spouse Syndrome. Closing arguments are anticipated by the weekend, as the defense prepares to call more psychological experts and the prosecution readies its rebuttal.

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