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Sarah Boone trial: Jury begins deliberations; Here’s what they can decide
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Sarah Boone trial: Jury begins deliberations; Here’s what they can decide

Sarah Boone’s fate will soon be in the hands of a jury.

The state of Florida and Boone’s defense presented their closing arguments to the jury on Friday. Boone is accused in the February 2020 death of her boyfriend, Jorge Torres, who was stuffed into a suitcase and left to suffocate during a drunken game of hide-and-seek.

Prosecutors argued that Boone killed Torres out of malice and to punish her. The defense argued that Boone was in a toxic and abusive relationship with Torres, suffered from Battered Woman Syndrome, and killed her out of fear that she would kill herself.

What charges might the jury consider?

Sarah Boone was charged with second-degree murder in Torres’ death. But at the impeachment conference Friday, both sides agreed on the possibility of lesser charges, including involuntary manslaughter and culpable negligence. The jury could also find Boone not guilty of any charges.

The jury must act unanimously in its decision.

Here are the charges the jury must consider and their possible consequences:

  • second degree murder
  • Manslaughter
  • Gross negligence
  • not guilty

Who is on the jury?

The jury consists of six people, five women and one man, and eight reserve jurors.

How long will the jury deliberate?

Judge Michael Kraynick said he wanted the jury to begin deliberations as soon as closing arguments concluded Friday. Although court usually ends around 5 p.m., Judge Kraynick said he took leave to allow the jury to deliberate in the evening, if necessary until 10 p.m.

If jurors cannot agree on a verdict and want to continue deliberating next week, they will meet again in court Monday.

What did the prosecutor say in his closing statement?

What did the defense say in its closing statement?

Cell phone videos: (‘Expletive’) You!” and “I can’t breathe baby”

At the center of the case are two separate videos recorded 11 minutes apart on Torres’ cell phone inside a zippered suitcase of Sarah Boone repeatedly calling her name and telling her she couldn’t breathe.

Content warning: The video may be disturbing and difficult to watch.

Here’s a snippet from one of the videos:

  • Torres: “Sarah. Sarah.”
  • Boone: “For everything you’ve done to me.”
  • Torres: “Sarah.”
  • Boone: “For everything you’ve done to me.”
  • Torres: “Sarah”
  • Boone: “(expletive) you!
  • Torres: “Sarah”
  • Boone: “(expletive) you!”
  • Torres: “Sarah.”
  • Boone: “That’s my name. Don’t wear it out.”
  • Torres: “Sarah, I can’t breathe, baby. Seriously.”
  • Boone: “Yeah, that’s what you do when you choke me.”
  • Torres: “Sarah…Sarah…Sarah…Sarah, I can’t breathe, baby.”
  • Boone: “This is your responsibility. This is your responsibility.”
  • Torres: “Sarah.”

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