A Florida woman accused of killing her boyfriend by trapping him in a suitcase is making headlines once again after her unusual request to have professional hair and makeup services provided during her upcoming trial was denied by the judge. Sarah Boone, 46, is charged with second-degree murder for the death of her boyfriend, Jorge Torres Jr., in a bizarre and tragic incident that occurred in Winter Park, Florida, in 2020.
Boone, who claims the event was a result of a drunken game of hide-and-seek, faces a trial set to begin on October 7, 2024. According to authorities, Boone zipped Torres into a suitcase after a night of drinking. She allegedly left him in the suitcase overnight, only to find him dead the next morning. Boone initially claimed she believed Torres would be able to free himself and join her in bed, but evidence found on her phone has cast doubt on her story.
In 2020, Sarah Boone zipped her boyfriend Jorge Torres in a suitcase and he died as a result. She is charged with second-degree murder. pic.twitter.com/gTpMoTWv8v
— Creepy.org (@creepydotorg) March 12, 2024
Investigators discovered videos from Boone’s phone that recorded Torres begging to be released from the suitcase, stating that he couldn't breathe. In the chilling footage, Boone can reportedly be heard laughing and taunting Torres, saying, “This is what it feels like when you cheat on me.” Despite her defense team's efforts to suppress these videos, arguing that Boone was suffering from "battered spouse syndrome" due to prior domestic abuse from Torres, the prosecution is adamant about using this footage as key evidence.
Boone has faced multiple legal setbacks throughout her case, including losing multiple attorneys. She is now on her ninth lawyer, who has suggested that they will pursue a defense based on battered spouse syndrome. However, legal experts predict this will be an uphill battle. Florida law does allow for a battered spouse defense, but it requires evidence of a pattern of abuse, which may be difficult to prove in Boone's case.
In 2020, Sarah Boone zipped her boyfriend Jorge Torres in a suitcase and he died as a result. She is charged with second-degree murder.
https://t.co/vnkj9p9Nir— Creepy.org (@creepydotorg) October 16, 2023
Adding to the courtroom drama, Boone recently requested to have professional hair and makeup artists available during her trial, a move that has sparked criticism and curiosity. The judge denied this request, ruling that it was not a reasonable accommodation for a criminal trial. Critics have pointed out that this request may be seen as trivializing the severity of the charges against her.
The incident occurred on February 24, 2020, when Boone called 911 to report Torres’ death. She claimed at the time that they had been drinking and playing a game of hide-and-seek when Torres climbed into the suitcase, and she zipped it up. Boone told police that she had gone upstairs to bed, assuming Torres would free himself from the suitcase. However, the disturbing videos found on her phone have shown a different version of events. In the recordings, Torres can be heard pleading for help, while Boone mocks him.
Torres, a father of three with a history of domestic violence allegations, had been in an on-and-off relationship with Boone for several years. Boone’s defense team has highlighted this history as part of their strategy to argue that she was a victim of abuse and that the incident was not premeditated murder.
As the trial date approaches, Boone’s legal team is continuing to fight to have some evidence excluded, including interrogation footage that they claim was improperly obtained. Despite these efforts, Boone is facing a potential life sentence if convicted of second-degree murder.
