Florida Woman Sentenced to Life for Suitcase Suffocation Case
In a case marked by domestic violence and alcohol abuse, Sarah Boone, 47, was sentenced to life in prison on Monday for the 2020 death of her boyfriend, Jorge Torres, 42. Boone zipped Torres into a suitcase, leaving him to suffocate at their Winter Park, Florida, home.
Circuit Judge Michael Kraynick handed down the sentence in Orlando, following Boone’s conviction for second-degree murder. After a 10-day trial, the jury deliberated for just 90 minutes before reaching its verdict on October 25. Boone had previously declined a plea deal offering a 15-year sentence for a reduced manslaughter charge.
The Crime
Boone initially claimed the incident was the result of heavy drinking and a game of hide-and-seek, during which Torres, weighing 103 pounds (47 kilograms), climbed into the suitcase. She alleged she went to bed believing he could escape on his own.
The following morning, Boone said she found Torres unresponsive in the suitcase. However, investigators discovered videos on her cellphone that contradicted her account. In the recordings, Torres is heard pleading for air and repeatedly calling Boone’s name, while she mocked him, saying, “Yeah, that’s what you do when you choke me” and “That’s what I feel like when you cheat on me.”
Prosecutors argued that Boone intentionally left Torres in the suitcase to terrorize him, later striking him with a baseball bat.
Victim’s Family and Boone’s Statement
Torres’ family delivered emotional testimonies during the sentencing. Victoria Torres, the victim’s sister, stated, “Sarah deserves to rot in jail. Sarah has caused a lifetime of pain.”
In her own statement, Boone described herself as a victim of years of abuse by Torres. She criticized the media and trial proceedings but expressed remorse, saying, “I didn’t mean for this to happen. Forgive me, Jorge. Forgive me, Torres family.”
Rejected Plea and Defense
Boone rejected a plea deal for manslaughter, maintaining her innocence. During the trial, she testified that past violent incidents with Torres led her to act in self-defense, perceiving a threat of imminent harm.
Prosecution’s Case
Prosecutor William Jay described Boone’s actions as deliberate, stating, “She decided to keep (Torres) in the suitcase when he said he could not breathe to terrorize him.” The cellphone footage was a pivotal element in securing the life sentence.
This tragic case underscores the complexities of domestic abuse and the devastating consequences of unresolved conflict.
