Sarah Boone trial: Jury begins deliberations; here's what they can decide

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Updated  October 25, 2024 6:36pm EDT
FOX 35 Orlando
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The fate of Sarah Boone will soon be in the jury's hands.

The state of Florida and Boone's defense delivered their closing arguments on Friday to the jury. Boone is charged in the Feb. 2020 death of her boyfriend, Jorge Torres, who was zipped inside a suitcase during a drunken game of hide-and-seek and left to suffocate.

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

What charges can the jury consider?

Sarah Boone has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Torres. However, during a charging conference on Friday, both sides agreed to the potential of lesser charges, including manslaughter and culpable negligence. A jury could also find Boone not guilty of any charges.

The jury has to be unanimous in their decision.

Here are the charges the jury will have to consider and the potential outcomes:

  • Second-degree murder
  • Manslaughter
  • Culpable negligence
  • Not guilty

Who is on the jury?

There are six people on the jury – five women and one man – and eight alternate jurors.

How long will the jury deliberate?

Judge Michael Kraynick said he wanted the jury to begin deliberations on Friday, as soon as closing arguments ended. While court typically ends around 5 p.m., Judge Kraynick said he received permission to allow the jury to deliberate into the evening hours, potentially through 10 p.m. if needed.

If jurors are unable to reach an agreement on a verdict and would like to continue deliberations next week, they'll meet back at court on Monday.

What did the prosecution say in closing arguments?

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Sarah Boone trial: Prosecution's full closing argument

Sarah Boone trial: Watch live

What did the defense say in closing arguments?

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Sarah Boone's lawyer: "Torres' death was a tragedy"

Sarah Boone trial: Watch live

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Sarah Boone's lawyer on justifiable use of deadly force

Sarah Boone trial: Watch live

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Sarah Boone's lawyer: Torres' death was self-defense

Sarah Boone trial: Watch live

The cell phone videos: [‘Expletive'] You!" & "I can't breathe babe" 

At the center of the case are two separate videos recorded 11 minutes apart on Sarah Boone's cell phone of Torres inside the zipped suitcase, calling out her name repeatedly and telling her that he cannot breathe.

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

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New evidence released in Sarah Boone case

Sarah Boone is accused of killing her boyfriend, Jorge Torres Jr., in Feb. 2020 inside their home in Winter Park after allegedly locking him inside a suitcase. Boone told deputies that she and Torres were playing a game of hide-and-seek and that she fell asleep. When she woke up, she said she found her boyfriend dead in the suitcase. The Florida State Attorney's Office released video allegedly recorded on Boone's cell phone that appears to show a conversation between her and Torres. Content warning: This video may be graphic and disturbing to some.

Here is 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 (expletive) 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: "That's on you. That's on you."
  • Torres: "Sarah."

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