Jorge Torres Jr Death; – Following a 10-day jury trial in October, an Orange County jury found Sarah Boone, 47, guilty of second-degree murder in the death of her boyfriend, Jorge Torres Jr., 42.
On Monday, prosecutors announced that Boone received the maximum sentence for her conviction, as Judge Michael Kraynick of the 9th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida delivered the ruling in an Orlando courtroom. Boone, a resident of Winter Park, recounted to police that on the night of February 23, 2020, the couple had been drinking when Torres entered a suitcase to engage in a game of hide-and-seek. She claimed they were joking when she zipped it up.
After a dispute, Boone went upstairs to sleep, believing he would be able to free himself, according to a criminal complaint. Upon waking the next morning, she found that he remained inside the suitcase and had died, prompting her to call 911.
Before the sentencing, video footage from the courtroom, captured by Fox 35 Orlando, showed the victim’s family addressing the judge, expressing that Boone “caused a lifetime of pain, a lifetime of horrible images.”
Blanca Torres, the victim’s mother, tearfully stated, “When I look out the window, I’m waiting for him to come and say, ‘Mom, I love you.'” One of Torres’ sisters also spoke in court, sharing how something as simple as a suitcase is now a painful reminder, urging the court to deliver justice for her brother.
Court documents obtained by USA TODAY reveal that Boone’s attorney, James Owens, submitted a motion prior to the sentencing hearing, requesting a sentence less than the minimum, arguing that she demonstrated remorse and acted under “extreme duress.” Boone addressed these claims during her testimony on Monday, asserting that her actions were a response to Torres’ alleged physical and mental abuse.
“Every time he slapped me, kicked me, punched me, spat on me, raped me, stabbed me, whipped me, tripped me, stole from me, lied to me, terrorized me, threatened me… every time he tried to end me,” Boone stated. “Forgive me, Jorge. Forgive me, Torres family.” Prosecutors contended that Boone was aware he could not escape.
