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Sarah Boone trial: No jury seated yet in ‘suitcase murder’ case as Boone's attorney hints at self-defense

By and Stephanie Buffamonte
Published  October 16, 2024 8:48pm EDT
News
FOX 35 Orlando

Sarah Boone using 'self-defense' argument

No jury has been seated in the Sarah Boone murder trial. On Wednesday, attorneys argued over admissible evidence. Boone is accused of second-degree murder in the death of her boyfriend, Jorge Torres. Torres was found dead inside a suitcase inside their Winter Park home in 2020. Boone has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Jury selection has yet to begin in the highly publicized suitcase murder trial, but details have emerged about the defense strategy Sarah Boone plans to use.

In a hearing on Wednesday, the possibility of Boone using a self-defense argument was discussed, with her attorney presenting new evidence. Boone is charged with second-degree murder, accused of zipping her boyfriend, Jorge Torres, inside a suitcase and leaving him to die during a drunken game of hide-and-seek.

The prosecution contends that for Boone to claim self-defense, there must have been an incident that day that justified it — an argument they say does not align with her previous narrative.

Sarah Boone murder trial: Day three

FOX 35's Stephanie Buffamonte covers day three of the Sarah Boone murder trial as jury selection continues.

"After she zipped him in the suitcase, she claims she didn’t have malicious intent when he says, 'I can’t breathe.' Now she says she wanted him to feel what she had felt in the past," a state prosecutor stated. "She shakes the suitcase, hits him with a bat. At that point, she’s the aggressor."

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The defense countered, alleging that Torres had a history of beating and abusing Boone, particularly when intoxicated, and revealed a new claim — saying Boone feared for her life on the day of the incident in 2020.

Sarah Boone, attorney fist bump during jury selection

Sarah Boone and her attorney appeared to give each other a fist bump ahead of the second day of jury selection in her second-degree murder trial. Boone is accused of second-degree murder in the death of her boyfriend, Jorge Torres. Torres was found dead inside a suitcase inside their Winter Park home in 2020. Boone has pleaded not guitly to the charge.

"The overact is that his hand is coming out of the suitcase—that means he is about to get out. Based on their history, she doesn’t have to wait to see what’s going to happen when he gets out, and it’s backed by physical evidence of the bat on his arm," Boone's attorney argued.

The state also presented text messages from Boone’s phone, including exchanges between Boone, Torres, and his family, which they say paint a different picture of the relationship.

Sarah Boone (Photo via Orange County Corrections)

Once the jury is set, they will move on to opening statements.

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