During Sarah Boone He showed little emotion after the jury found him. guilty of second degree murder According to her lawyer, she was shocked by the verdict in the death of her boyfriend, Jorge Torres.

Florida attorney James Owens told reporters outside the courthouse that he was “shocked” by Boone’s conviction.

“Just shock. He was shocked. He felt like he had a defense… so he’s just in shock,” Owens said.

The six-member jury took less than 90 minutes to decide the case. In addition to the second-degree murder charge, jurors could have considered a lesser charge of manslaughter or culpable negligence or found him not guilty.

Torres’ family attended the hearing. They did not comment on the hearing or the verdict.

Boone told law enforcement and jurors at trial that he and Torres had been drinking that night and decided to play a game of hide and seek. Boone testified that Torres thought it would be “funny” to get into the suitcase. Despite pleading that he couldn’t breathe, he zipped it into the suitcase and left it there. Two videos recorded by Boone show Torres pleading and Boone mocking him. Boone went to bed and found Torres unresponsive the next morning.

It took four years to go to trial. Boone met with eight court-appointed attorneys before a judge ruled that Boone lost his right to additional counsel. James Owens then decided to represent Boone pro bono.

Boone’s sentencing was set for December 2024.

Owens described Boone as a “fighter” and said he expected him to appeal his conviction. However, he said he would not represent himself in the appeal case.

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