An Orange County jury in California convicted Sarah Boone of second-degree murder in the death of her boyfriend, Jorge Torres Jr.
The jury convicted Boone on Friday, following a “short jury deliberation,” FOX 35 reports.
In February 2020, Torres Jr. died from suffocation after spending around 11 hours inside a suitcase that Boone had zipped shut, as CrimeOnline previously reported.
Boone testified that they had been drinking before Torres Jr. playfully climbed into the suitcase.
The prosecution argued that Boone acted with malicious intent to punish her husband, while the defense maintained that Torres was abusive and that Boone was a victim of Battered Spouse Syndrome.
At the outset of the investigation, Boone asserted that she fell asleep and neglected to let Torres Jr. out of the suitcase.
Investigators found videos on Boone’s phone in which she ridiculed Torres Jr. as he pleaded for assistance, contradicting her claims.
An arrest affidavit stared that Boone said on a video, “For everything you’ve done to me. [Expletive] you. Stupid.”
When Torres Jr. said he couldn’t breathe, Boone responded, “That’s on you. Oh, that’s what I feel like when you choke on me.”
The prosecution argued that Boone faced no imminent danger when she refused to free Torres Jr. from the suitcase.
In her testimony, Boone stated she was “terrified” and believed talking to him was necessary.
Boone is expected to be sentenced on December 2.
[Feature Photo:Sarah Boone/Orange County Sheriff’s Office]
