Orlando suitcase murder trial: Daily updates as Sarah Boone stands trial for allegedly murdering boyfriend

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Editor’s Note: Watch the trial live in the play aboveThe Orlando woman accused of killing her boyfriend by leaving him trapped inside a suitcase is finally on trial after four long years and many different lawyers.Sarah Boone, 46, is facing second-degree murder charges after her boyfriend, Jorge Torres Jr., was found dead inside a small suitcase. The two were allegedly playing a game of “hide and seek” when Torres willingly got into the suitcase.According to Boone, she fell asleep, forgetting to free the man from the luggage. However, during their investigation, officials say they uncovered videos of Boone mocking Torres Jr. as he begged for help — which was inconsistent with the statements she gave. Boone was arrested and is facing charges related to his death.RELATED: Woman recorded boyfriend’s cries for help while he suffocated inside suitcase, deputies say The woman has been held in jail since 2020, at one point representing herself during hearings because a judge ruled she had forfeited her right to an attorney. Boone was often at odds with her lawyers, many of them stepping down or being forced out by the woman herself. RELATED: Woman accused of Central Florida suitcase murder draws wanted ad for new attorneyThough her current lawyer filed a motion to delay the trial back in August, a jury was sat and opening statements began last week in Boone’s case.>> Follow along below for daily updates on the Orlando suitcase murder trial. Tuesday, Oct. 22: Boone to take standBoone took the stand Tuesday afternoon, telling the jury what her relationship with the victim was like and what led up to him getting in a suitcase. Boone said Torres was angry and at one point threatened her saying, “I’m going to F***ing end you.”Monday, Oct. 21: Trial resumes, ME describes victim’s injuriesAfter a break for the weekend, Boone’s trial picked up again Monday as the state continued to present its side.Medical examiners showed a diagram of Torres Jr.’s wounds, saying the man’s head, hand, forearm and back were bruised, consistent with being hit by a baseball bat and having the suitcase pushed down the stairs.Officials estimate the man was left in the suitcase for 11 hours, ultimately dying of suffocation from lack of oxygen and the way he was positioned.”Based on the findings he was most likely in fetal position…knees flexed…arms flexed…and head most likely flexed forward,” medical examiners said.Officials add that Torres Jr. had a blood alcohol content that was three times the legal limit, confirming that his logic and motor skills could have been impaired when the defense asked.The defense also pointed out that the zipper on the suitcase was broken, possibly allowing oxygen into space. The medical examiner said maybe, but says it was not enough to keep the man alive. Friday, Oct. 18: Opening statements presented, state begins to lay out caseThere were many starts and stops on Friday, but when the opening statements started, we got a glimpse into the troubled couple’s lives.The day started with Sarah Boone smiling and waving to friendly faces in the courtroom. After a long delay, opening statements began. State prosecutor William Jay stated that the last thing Sarah Boone’s boyfriend, Jorge Torres, heard was her saying, “Sssh” as he lay face down, zipped up in a suitcase. “Sarah, I can’t breathe,” Torres said, according to a recording played in court. The state read part of Boone’s conversation with 911.”I don’t know what happened. He had blood coming out of his mouth. Don’t know if it was an aneurysm,” Jay read from Boone’s 911 call.The prosecution argued that Boone killed Torres not because he was threatening her life at that moment, but because she felt he deserved to die for his past actions, including allegedly hitting her with a curtain rod.”There are two sides to every story,” said James Owens, Boone’s defense attorney.Owens argued that the abuse Boone suffered triggered her actions that night, and he emphasized the role of alcohol in their lives.”Their lives centered around the alcohol. Both of them were suffered from what used to be called alcoholism. Now it’s called alcohol abuse syndrome,” Owens said.A neighbor testified that he avoided the couple because they were often drunk.”Yeah I don’t like drunk people and they were drunk a lot,” the neighbor said.The neighbor recounted the night of February 23, 2020, when he heard something loud tumbling down the couple’s staircase.”And I remember me and my roommate talking about it the next day and it literally shook both of our rooms,” the neighbor said.Thursday, Oct. 17: Jury seatedA jury has been seated in Orange County for Sarah Boone’s murder trial. Opening statements are slated to begin on Friday.Wednesday, Oct. 16: “Battered spouse syndrome” defense can be used, judge rulesAt a hearing Wednesday morning, Boone’s lawyer said they believe Torres did make an “overt act” that would constitute use of the “battered spouse syndrome” defense.“The overt acts, I have to tell you, his hand is coming out of the suitcase,” attorney Tony Henderson said. “That means he’s about to get out of the suitcase. Based on history and everything else, she doesn’t have to wait to see what’s going to happen when he gets out of the suitcase. It’s clear what’s going to happen when he gets out of the suitcase.”The attorney also made it clear that Boone is expected to testify at trial.Judge Michael Kraynick ruled Boone’s team would be allowed to use the “battered spouse” defense if they lay the appropriate foundation beforehand. Monday, Oct. 14: Jury selection beginsJury selection in Sarah Boone’s trial began Monday.The woman’s team has said they plan to use the “battered spouse syndrome” defense, meaning her actions were legally justified because of past violence involving Torres, the man she is accused of leaving in a suitcase to die.Prosecutors asked the judge to ban that tactic because they said there was no evidence of an “overt act” by Torres that put Boone’s life in danger.

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