Woman Who Filmed Boyfriend Suffocating to Death in Suitcase Was ‘Justified,’ Lawyer Tells Court

An American woman who filmed and laughed while her boyfriend suffocated to death in a suitcase was “justified in her actions,” her defense lawyer argued in court.

Sarah Boone, 46, appeared in Orlando, Florida, on Friday, October 18, facing charges of second-degree murder for the death of her partner, Jorge Torres, 42, in February 2020. Boone claims that Torres willingly got into the suitcase during a drunken game of hide and seek but insists she accidentally fell asleep, only to wake up and find him dead.

Defense Argues Boone Acted Out of Trauma

Boone’s lawyer, James Owens, told the jury that Boone did not intend to kill Torres but wanted a “captive audience” to express her frustrations. Owens argued that Boone had endured years of abuse in their three-year relationship, and her actions were a response to the trauma she suffered.

“She was justified in the actions she took,” Owens told the jury, explaining that both Boone and Torres were alcoholics and that Torres often subjected her to physical and emotional abuse.

Prosecutors Allege Malicious Intent

Assistant state attorney William Jay, prosecuting the case, argued that Boone acted with “malicious intent” to punish Torres. According to the prosecution, Boone filmed Torres pleading for help while trapped in the suitcase, with him repeatedly saying, “Sarah, I can’t breathe.”

In the footage, Boone can be heard giggling and responding: “For everything you’ve done to me. F* you. Stupid.”** She also compared Torres’s struggle to breathe with previous instances of him choking her.

A Relationship Marred by Abuse and Alcoholism

Owens described Torres as a jealous man who, when drunk, would often become violent or force Boone into sex. He explained that Boone, despite being physically the same size as Torres, was unable to defend herself due to his strength.

“She finally had him in a situation where he couldn’t fight back,” Owens said, adding that Boone used the suitcase as a form of restraint to make Torres listen to her frustrations.

Both Boone and Torres had previously been arrested for domestic battery against each other during their turbulent relationship.

Testimony from Boone’s Ex-Husband

The court also heard testimony from Boone’s ex-husband, Brian Boone, who said she called him drunkenly the night Torres died. He admitted he didn’t pay much attention to her call, as she often contacted him in similar states.

However, the next day, when he called to confirm if she would care for their 13-year-old son, she told him about Torres’s death and asked him to come over.

Brian Boone testified that when he arrived at the apartment in Winter Park, Boone still hadn’t called the police. After urging her to contact emergency services, he waited outside in his car. He noticed Torres’s feet sticking out from the suitcase in the living room but chose not to enter further, leaving it to the authorities.

Plea Deal Rejected Before Trial

Before the trial began, Boone was offered a plea deal for manslaughter, which would have resulted in a 15-year prison sentence. However, Boone rejected the deal and now faces a minimum sentence of 22-and-a-half years if convicted of second-degree murder.

The trial is ongoing.