Sarah Boone, convicted of murdering her boyfriend Jorge Torres Jr., continued to portray herself as the victim during her sentencing. Boone, who had been found guilty of second-degree murder for Torres’ death in February 2020, read a bizarre and emotionally detached statement in which she blamed Torres, his family, and even the media for the tragedy. She claimed to forgive Torres for the abuse he had inflicted on her, including slapping, raping, and humiliating her. She also forgave his family for failing to intervene in the abusive relationship, expressing no remorse for her actions but rather resentment toward the authorities who prosecuted her.
In her statement, Boone likened herself to a piece of ceramic, which becomes more beautiful when cracked and repaired, and claimed that she was a “survivor.” She then added, “I forgive myself for falling in love with a monster,” further emphasizing her victimhood despite the brutal circumstances of Torres’ death.
Boone’s defense had argued she was suffering from battered spouse syndrome, and that she feared Torres would attack her if she freed him from the suitcase. However, prosecutors rejected this claim, arguing that Boone had ample opportunity to prevent his death and was never in immediate danger. The night of Torres’ death, the couple had been drinking heavily, and at some point, Torres climbed into a large suitcase as part of a game of hide-and-seek. Boone then zipped him inside, but Torres was unable to get out. Boone later filmed the event, taunting Torres as he begged to be let out, saying, “I can’t f—ing breathe, seriously,” to which Boone responded, “Yeah, that’s what you do when you choke me.”
Boone went to bed while Torres remained trapped inside the suitcase, and when she awoke the next morning, she found him dead. Despite this, Boone’s testimony portrayed the incident as an attempt to “teach him a lesson” after enduring years of abuse. She said she never intended for Torres to die, and when she found him in the suitcase hours later, she was “aghast” and tried to revive him, calling his name as she shook him. By the time she called her ex-husband and was advised to call 911, it was too late.
At her sentencing, Boone also offered an apology to Torres’ family, though she never fully took responsibility for her actions. She insisted that she still loved him despite his death, expressing shame but framing herself as a victim rather than acknowledging the true impact of her crime. Meanwhile, Torres’ family, devastated by his brutal death, reacted with anguish during the hearing. His sister, Victoria Torres, described the lasting pain caused by Boone’s actions, noting how the sight of a suitcase now reminded her of her brother’s death.
The prosecution noted that Boone’s failure to help Torres, despite his desperate pleas for help, and her mockery of him during the incident, left little room for her defense of being afraid. They emphasized that Boone had multiple opportunities to act differently and prevent Torres’ death but chose not to. Ultimately, Judge Michael Kraynick sentenced Boone to life in prison, rejecting her self-portrayal as a victim and highlighting the true victim in this case: Jorge Torres Jr.
