Overview of the Incident
A Florida woman, Sarah Boone, was convicted of second-degree murder on Friday for the death of her boyfriend, Jorge Torres Jr. The incident occurred in February 2020 at their home in Winter Park, where Boone, 47, claimed that she and Torres, 42, were engaged in a game of hide-and-seek while drinking wine. Sarah Boone stated that Torres voluntarily entered a blue rolling suitcase during the game. However, prosecutors argue that after zipping him inside, she left him to suffocate overnight.
Trial Testimonies and Evidence
During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Boone recorded two videos of Torres inside the suitcase as he pleaded for help, saying he could not breathe. In these videos, she allegedly taunted him, responding to his requests to be let out with comments like, “That’s on you,” and “Yeah, that’s what you do when you choke me.” Sarah Boone argued that she did not intend for Torres to die and claimed she was acting in self-defense due to past abuse by him. Nevertheless, prosecutors pointed out that her actions contradicted her testimony, highlighting the damning nature of the video evidence.
Court documents indicate that after zipping Torres inside the suitcase, Boone left him there, went upstairs, and fell asleep. Upon waking the next morning, she discovered Torres unresponsive and called the police. An autopsy revealed that he had suffered additional injuries to his back, head, and face, which Boone denied were the result of a physical altercation.
Legal Consequences and Future Proceedings
Following the verdict, Sarah Boone’s attorney, James Owens, expressed his client’s shock and disappointment. He stated that Boone believed she had a viable defense. She now faces a presentencing hearing scheduled for December, where she could potentially be sentenced to life in prison for her actions. The case has garnered significant media attention, raising questions about accountability and the dynamics of domestic relationships.
