Sarah Boone, the Florida woman facing second-degree murder charges for allegedly killing her boyfriend by trapping him in a suitcase, has acquired her ninth lawyer. This development comes months after a judge declared she had forfeited her right to legal counsel, adding another layer of complexity to the already protracted case.
Boone, 46, is accused in the 2020 death of Jorge Torres Jr., 42. The prosecution alleges that Boone persuaded Torres to enter a suitcase at their Winter Park home and then zipped him inside. She reportedly left him confined overnight, and upon opening the suitcase the following morning, discovered he was deceased.
James Owens, her newly appointed attorney, made his first court appearance on Tuesday, marking a significant turn in Boone’s legal saga.
Owens stated that he was prompted to represent Boone after seeing her handwritten advertisement for legal representation on television.
“Sarah Boone needed a lawyer. I mean, I can’t imagine our system, the case is an aberration,” Owens commented to reporters outside the courthouse, highlighting the unusual circumstances surrounding Boone’s repeated changes in legal representation.
During the hearing, Owens requested a delay in the trial to adequately prepare his defense, suggesting that “Battered Spouse Syndrome” might be considered. However, Judge Michael S. Kraynick denied this request, firmly adhering to the October 7 trial date, which he stated would not be postponed under any circumstances, including changes in Boone’s legal representation.
Boone has been in legal limbo for over four years since her arrest, cycling through eight different lawyers. A significant number of these attorneys, seven in total, were court-appointed, indicating the challenges in securing consistent legal representation for Boone. Several of these legal professionals resigned citing “irreconcilable differences,” suggesting potential difficulties in the attorney-client relationship.
In June, Judge Kraynick took the unusual step of revoking Boone’s right to court-appointed legal counsel. “It has become apparent to the Court that Defendant will not permit herself to be represented by anyone,” Judge Kraynick stated in his ruling, emphasizing the court’s frustration with the ongoing disruptions to the case proceedings. Despite this revocation, Boone retained the right to hire private legal counsel, leading to the engagement of James Owens.
Prior to Owens taking on her case, Boone had, at times, represented herself in court proceedings. During one hearing, she expressed feeling “thoroughly confused,” highlighting the difficulties of navigating the legal system without professional legal assistance. “If I’m pro se and my own attorney, shouldn’t I be included in all of this, so I know what’s going on and not a surprise hearing like it is again for the second time?” Boone questioned, underscoring the complexities she faced while acting as her own legal representative.
Judge Kraynick responded that Boone’s current predicament was a consequence of her previous actions. “Ma’am, again, this is why there were benefits to being represented by counsel,” he stated. “The court has already identified in its 16-page order the reasons for why you no longer have those benefits. It makes things exceptionally more difficult…”.
Adding further context to the case, it was revealed that both Boone and Torres had prior arrests for battery. Torres, in particular, had been charged with battery three times in 2019, including an incident where he allegedly physically assaulted Boone.
Boone remains in custody at Orange County Jail as she awaits her trial, scheduled to commence on October 7. The introduction of her ninth lawyer, James Owens, adds a new chapter to this complex legal narrative, but whether it will bring a resolution to the protracted “suitcase murder” case remains to be seen.
