Florida Woman Sentenced to Life in Prison for Zipping Boyfriend into Suitcase and Leaving Him to Die
Background
A Florida woman, Sarah Boone, 47, was sentenced to life in prison for the 2020 murder of her boyfriend, Jorge Torres. Boone was convicted of second-degree murder after a 10-day trial, which lasted only 90 minutes.
Trial and Sentencing
The trial began with Boone rejecting a plea deal that would have given her a 15-year prison sentence in exchange for a guilty plea to a reduced manslaughter charge. Instead, the jury deliberated and convicted her of second-degree murder. Circuit Judge Michael Kraynick imposed the sentence in Orlando on October 25.
Victims’ Family Reaction
The Torres family members testified at the hearing, expressing their pain and suffering due to Boone’s actions. Victoria Torres, a sister of the victim, stated, "Sarah deserves to rot in jail. Sarah has caused a lifetime of pain." The family members emphasized that the victim’s death had torn them apart.
Boone’s Statement
In her own statement, Boone went through a litany of abuse she claimed she suffered at the hands of Torres over many years. She decried the way her trial was handled and covered by the media, yet asked forgiveness for her actions. "I forgive myself for falling in love with a monster. I tried breaking the spell… I never stopped loving him," Boone said. "I didn’t mean for this to happen. Forgive me, Jorge. Forgive me, Torres family."
Motive and Investigation
Initially, Boone told investigators that she and Torres had been drinking heavily and playing hide-and-seek on February 23, 2020, in their Winter Park, Florida, residence. She claimed they thought it would be amusing for the 103-pound (47-kilogram) Torres to climb into the suitcase. However, investigators found videos on her cellphone in which Torres is heard yelling from inside the suitcase that he couldn’t breathe and repeatedly calling out Boone’s name.
Prosecutor’s Statement
Prosecutor William Jay stated, "She decided to keep (Torres) in the suitcase when he said he could not breathe in it to terrorize him. She then struck him with a baseball bat."
Conclusion
Sarah Boone has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Jorge Torres, who was found dead in a suitcase in their Winter Park, Florida, residence. The case highlights the dangers of domestic violence and the devastating consequences of Boone’s actions.
FAQs
Q: What was the motive behind Boone’s actions?
A: Boone claimed she was defending herself against Torres’ abuse, but the evidence suggested otherwise.
Q: What was the outcome of the trial?
A: The jury convicted Boone of second-degree murder, and she was sentenced to life in prison.
Q: How did the victim’s family react to the verdict?
A: The Torres family members testified at the hearing, expressing their pain and suffering due to Boone’s actions.
