A woman in Florida has been found guilty of murdering her boyfriend by zipping him into a suitcase and leaving him to suffocate.
Sarah Boone, 46, was convicted of second-degree murder in the death of Jorge Torres, 42, following a 10-day trial.
The incident occurred in February 2020 at the couple's apartment in the city of Winter Park.
Boone initially claimed they had been playing a drunken game of hide-and-seek when Torres climbed into the suitcase.
Footage from Boone's mobile phone showed Torres pleading for help from inside the case
ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
She told detectives she went to sleep, assuming her boyfriend could escape on his own. The next morning, Boone found him unresponsive - and still in the suitcase.
Shocking video evidence played a central role in the trial - with footage from Boone's mobile phone showing Torres pleading for help from inside the case.
"Sarah, I can't breathe, babe," Torres can be heard saying in the video.
"That's on you," Boone responded callously.
In another disturbing clip, Boone taunted her trapped boyfriend, saying: "Yeah that's what you do when you choke me. Oh, that's what I feel like when you cheat on me."
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Torres sustained scratches on his back and neck, as well as contusions to his shoulder, skull and forehead from blunt force trauma
ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Prosecutors argued the recordings contradicted Boone's claims of self-defence, pointing to her mocking of Torres as he begged to be freed.
Then, in Boone's 911 call the next day, she could be heard telling operators: "My boyfriend is dead."
Boone defended herself in court - and claimed she had acted in self-defence due to prior violent incidents with Torres. She alleged she feared imminent harm from him.
But an autopsy report revealed Torres had suffered significant injuries.
The court was shown the suitcase in question
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These included scratches on his back and neck, as well as contusions to his shoulder, skull and forehead from blunt force trauma.
A cut near his busted lip was also brought to light - though in court, Boone demonstrated how she had stood over Torres with a baseball bat, fearing violence if he were to escape the suitcase.
The jury deliberated for 90 minutes before delivering their guilty verdict on Friday evening. Boone, who had previously pleaded not guilty, could now face life in prison.
Boone's sentencing is scheduled for December 2
ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
The trial had been delayed for four years - partially due to Boone changing lawyers multiple times since her arrest.
Her sentencing is scheduled for December 2, according to Florida's Orange County State Attorney's office.
