The Suitcase Murder: The Killing of Jorge Torres

 Jorge Torres Jr., a 42-year-old American man, suffocated to death on February 24, 2020, in Winter Park, Florida after being zipped into a suitcase. His girlfriend, then 42-year-old Sarah Boone, was arrested the following day for second-degree murder after agreeing to a police interview.

Background

Prior to his death, Torres had been arrested multiple times for alleged instances of domestic violence against Boone and she had been arrested one time for an alleged instance of domestic violence against Torres. Boone had been arrested once for alleged battery by strangulation against Torres in July 2018 when both Boone and Torres were arrested; however, her charge was dismissed. Torres had been arrested four times for alleged battery against Boone; Boone bailed Torres out of jail each time.

Incident

On February 25, 2020, Sarah Boone called 9-1-1 and told them that her boyfriend, Jorge Torres, was dead. Boone claimed that she and Torres had a single bottle of wine and then decided to play hide-and-seek. She claimed that they thought it would be funny to put him in the suitcase, and that they were both laughing. She stated that she then went upstairs and accidentally fell asleep, leaving Torres in the suitcase. Torres's death was ruled a homicide.

The following day, Boone was asked to go to the police station for an interview. During the interview, forensic investigators asked for her phone; she willingly gave her phone to them, and it was searched. The search found two videos that Boone had taken the night before. The videos allegedly showed Boone laughing as Torres pled for help inside the suitcase, stating, "That's what you do when you choke me" and "That's what I feel like when you cheat on me". Boone stated that she did not remember recording the videos.

Trial

Boone was subsequently charged with second-degree murder for killing Torres. Held in Orange County jail without bail, she has written letters to the trial judge stating that she has not been represented fairly; eight different attorneys appointed to represent her have withdrawn.

After the withdrawal of her eighth lawyer, Boone has been deemed to have forfeited her right to court appointed counsel and must now represent herself in court.

She is expected to use the battered woman defense at her trial; a date has been set for October 7, 2024.