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Murder of Jorge Torres

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Killing of Jorge Torres
LocationWinter Park, Florida, U.S.
DateFebruary 24, 2020; 4 years ago (2020-02-24)
c. 11:00 p.m. (EST)
Attack type
Homicide by suffocation
WeaponSuitcase
Deaths1
VictimJorge Torres Jr., 42
AccusedSarah Boone
ChargesSecond-degree murder

Jorge Torres Jr., a 42-year-old American man, suffocated to death on February 24, 2020, in Winter Park, Florida after being zipped into a suitcase. Jorge's height was 5'2" (sixty-two inches) and he weighed 103 pounds.[1]

His girlfriend, then 42-year-old Sarah Boone, was arrested the following day for second-degree murder after agreeing to a police interview.

Background

Prior to his death, Torres had been arrested multiple times for alleged instances of domestic violence against Boone and she had been arrested one time for an alleged instance of domestic violence against Torres. Boone had been arrested once for alleged battery by strangulation against Torres in July 2018 when both Boone and Torres were arrested; however, her charge was dismissed. Torres had been arrested four times for alleged battery against Boone; Boone bailed Torres out of jail each time.[2]

Incident

On February 25, 2020, Sarah Boone called 9-1-1 and told them that her boyfriend, Jorge Torres, was dead. Boone claimed that she and Torres had a single bottle of wine and then decided to play hide-and-seek. She claimed that they thought it would be funny to put him in the suitcase, and that they were both laughing. She stated that she then went upstairs and accidentally fell asleep, leaving Torres in the suitcase.[3] Torres's death was ruled a homicide.

[4]

During the on-site investigation, Sarah Boone willingly turned over her phone. Forensic investigators searched the phone upon their arrival at the scene. The search found two videos that Boone had taken the night before. The videos allegedly showed Boone laughing as Torres pled for help inside the suitcase, stating, "That's what you do when you choke me" and "That's what I feel like when you cheat on me".[5] Boone was interviewed by Detectives at the Police department the following day. Boone stated that she did not remember recording the videos.[4][6][7]

Trial

Boone was subsequently charged with second-degree murder for killing Torres and held in Orange County jail without bail. Eight different attorneys appointed to represent her withdrew,[8] and Judge Michael Kraynick ruled that Boone had forfeited her right to court-appointed counsel.[9][10] Boone then found representation by attorney James Owens.[11]

Boone is expected to use the battered woman defense at her trial, which was set to begin on October 7, 2024.[12][13][14] The trial was postponed until October 14, 2024 due to the impending Hurricane Milton.[15]

References

  1. ^ https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2024/10/18/trial-of-winter-park-woman-accused-of-leaving-boyfriend-in-suitcase-to-die
  2. ^ "Sarah Boone case: What to know about Winter Park woman facing murder charge after boyfriend dies in suitcase". FOX 35 Orlando. 2022-10-18. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  3. ^ Delandro, Taylor (2023-03-13). "Florida woman charged after boyfriend dies in suitcase". Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  4. ^ a b Dobrzyn, Erin (2020-05-27). "Report: Man died of asphyxiation after girlfriend locked him in suitcase for 'up to 11 hours'". WKMG. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  5. ^ Staff, FOX 35 Digital (2024-06-07). "Sarah Boone case: Florida woman who allegedly put boyfriend in suitcase accuses her lawyer of lying". FOX 35 Orlando. Retrieved 2024-06-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Laviola, Erin (2020-02-26). "Sarah Boone: Florida Woman Left Boyfriend to Die in Suitcase, Cops Say". Heavy.com. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  7. ^ "Sarah Boone case: Attorney plans to argue battered spouse defense in 2020 death of Boone's boyfriend". FOX 35 Orlando. 2023-01-17. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  8. ^ "Sarah Boone case: Florida woman charged in suitcase murder has gone through 7 lawyers, court docs reveal". FOX 35 Orlando. 2024-04-25. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  9. ^ "Eight is enough: Judge rules Sarah Boone forfeits right to attorney". Court TV. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
  10. ^ "Sarah Boone loses 8th lawyer, must now represent herself in Florida murder trial, judge rules". www.fox35orlando.com. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
  11. ^ Sundel, Jenna (4 September 2024). "Alleged Suitcase Killer Sarah Boone Nabs 9th Lawyer With Handwritten Flyer". Newsweek. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  12. ^ https://myeclerk.myorangeclerk.com/CaseDetails?cItem=smUKavXPGJ0vB7kOZr3almgKHaPbwR%2FnKQDzSwh%2FOA1iVq6LzwlS1Lr7Kdg2lwTH6NLPnmAWKtgeFuOTbqgb4INADzYnwOK%2BHOs410DP4JY%3D
  13. ^ McLaughlin, Katie (September 8, 2023). "Sarah Boone attorney formally withdraws, won't let her call him a 'buffoon'". Court TV. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  14. ^ Eady, Aurielle (2024-01-15). "Sarah Boone: January trial date canceled for Florida woman accused of murder after boyfriend dies in suitcase". Yahoo News. FOX 35 Orlando. Archived from the original on 2024-02-07. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  15. ^ https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/10/07/hurricane-delays-murder-trial-of-accused-suitcase-killer/
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