• Prosecutors Deny Leaking Sean "Diddy" Combs Assault Video, Seek to Block Evidentiary Hearing
    Nov 1 2024
    Federal prosecutors have refuted claims by Sean "Diddy" Combs’ legal team that a video showing him allegedly assaulting a former girlfriend was leaked to CNN by government agents. The recent filing, submitted overnight, aims to clarify that prosecutors were never in possession of the video and urges the court to reject Combs' motion for an evidentiary hearing.

    “The defendant argues baselessly that a video depicting the defendant's assault of a victim at the Intercontinental Hotel in Los Angeles on March 5, 2016 was provided to a media outlet by Government agents,” prosecutors wrote in the filing. Combs' legal team has suggested that the video, released publicly in May 2024, may have been leaked by federal prosecutors. However, prosecutors maintained that the video was not part of their evidence at the time CNN published it and was never obtained through grand jury proceedings.

    “Without any factual basis, the Leak Motion seeks to suppress highly probative evidence—a video of Combs brutally physically assaulting a victim in March 2016 that was published by a media outlet in May 2024—by claiming that it was grand jury material leaked by Government agents to CNN,” the filing continued. “But, as the defendant is fully aware, the video was not in the Government's possession at the time of CNN's publication, and the Government has never, at any point, obtained the video through grand jury process.”

    Combs, who appeared in federal court earlier in October, has sought to argue that alleged leaks could hinder his ability to receive a fair trial. Defense attorneys have called for an evidentiary hearing to address their claims, which prosecutors have dismissed as an attempt to avoid dealing with "damning" evidence against him.

    In addition to urging the court to deny Combs’ motion for a hearing, prosecutors are also opposing his request for the early disclosure of his accusers' identities. “The defendant's request for victim names should be denied on the basis that it is tantamount to a request for early disclosure of the Government's witness list, something he is clearly not entitled to at this extremely early stage of the proceedings,” the prosecutors stated. They emphasized that early disclosure would pose risks to witness safety and could open the door to potential obstruction.

    Prosecutors have accused Combs of leveraging the criminal case to defend against civil litigation brought by anonymous accusers, describing his tactics as an attempt to “co-opt this criminal proceeding to defend against civil litigation.” A federal judge recently denied one plaintiff’s request to proceed under a pseudonym in a related civil case, underscoring a “presumption of openness in judicial proceedings.”

    As Combs’ defense continues to press for transparency and evidentiary hearings, prosecutors have countered with firm denials of any misconduct. The case now awaits further review, as legal teams on both sides prepare for the next stage in the proceedings.
    Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
    Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
    The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
    Show more Show less
    11 mins
  • Colorado Funeral Home Owners Plead Guilty to Pandemic Aid Fraud Amid Claims of Fake Ashes and Decomposing Bodies
    Nov 1 2024
    Jon and Carie Hallford, the owners of Return to Nature Funeral Home in Penrose, Colorado, pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges related to their alleged misuse of pandemic relief funds and customer payments. The couple is accused of spending nearly $900,000 in relief funds on personal luxuries, including vehicles, designer items, and vacations, while leaving over 190 bodies decomposing in their facility, according to court documents. This facility, located about an hour south of Denver, became the focus of a federal investigation after the bodies were discovered in conditions that horrified families and state officials alike.

    The Hallfords pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Prosecutors, per the plea agreement, are limited to requesting no more than a 15-year prison sentence, though the agreement awaits final approval by a judge. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Neff stated that the plea deal encompasses both the Hallfords' acknowledgment of COVID-19 relief fraud and additional fraud perpetrated against their customers.

    According to court filings, the Hallfords diverted funds intended for business expenses during the pandemic toward a lavish lifestyle. Purchases reportedly included a GMC Yukon and an Infiniti worth over $120,000 collectively, cryptocurrency investments of $31,000, body sculpting services, trips to California, Florida, and Las Vegas, and luxury items from brands like Gucci and Tiffany & Co.

    "These funds were supposed to support struggling businesses during the pandemic, not to fuel extravagant personal spending," noted Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Neff, highlighting the gravity of the Hallfords' actions.

    The grim conditions discovered at Return to Nature Funeral Home extended beyond financial misconduct. An investigation following last year’s discovery revealed bodies stacked haphazardly, some reportedly in place since 2019. In some instances, the wrong bodies were buried, and the remains provided to grieving families often included fake ashes made of dry concrete. The Associated Press reported that the Hallfords fabricated cremation records, leaving families devastated upon learning that their loved ones had never been properly handled.

    Crystina Page, a mother whose son’s body was left decomposing in the Hallfords’ facility, expressed her anguish during the court hearing, stating, “My son was one of those victims; he lost 60% of his body weight.” She painfully recounted the conditions she believed he endured, saying, “Rats and maggots ate his face.” Page expressed her frustration with the limited plea deal but acknowledged it was “as close to justice as [she] was going to get.”

    The federal indictment added to an extensive list of charges already pending against the Hallfords in Colorado state court, where they face more than 200 counts related to corpse abuse and forgery. Meanwhile, Jon Hallford’s defense is being handled by the federal public defender’s office, which has not commented on the case. Attempts to reach Carie Hallford’s legal team were unsuccessful, and her attorney in state proceedings, Michael Stuzynski, declined to provide further comments.

    The disturbing details emerging from the Hallfords’ case prompted Colorado lawmakers to reevaluate and reform state funeral home regulations in 2024. New laws now require routine inspections and mandatory licensing for funeral home operators, a move motivated by the stories of families who, like Crystina Page, had their final goodbyes to loved ones turned into moments of anguish and loss.
    Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
    Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
    The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
    Show more Show less
    10 mins
  • Karen Read Discusses Murder Trial, Life in Legal Limbo, and Unyielding Pursuit of Truth
    Oct 31 2024
    Karen Read, charged twice in the death of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, has opened up about her ongoing legal battle, strained personal life, and unyielding quest for justice in an interview with *Vanity Fair*. Speaking to reporter Julie Miller, who was granted unrestricted access, Read shared insights into her life since O’Keefe’s death and the impact of her highly publicized case. In what Vanity Fair described as a series of candid, in-home interviews, Read, 44, invited Miller to her former Mansfield residence in August. Read opened up about her relationship with O’Keefe, her pending retrial, and the toll her legal battles have taken. Miller reported that Read, who has been staying with family and friends, chose her previous home as the setting for the interviews. She was joined by a volunteer security guard, described by Miller as someone “who looks like John Cena and has a license to carry.” Facing an uncertain future, Read has prepared for the possibility of another arrest, keeping a Ziploc “go bag” on hand with essentials: Advil, melatonin, a toothbrush and toothpaste, a hairbrush, lipstick, and foundation, as well as her lawyer’s phone number. “I’m not backing down now,” Read told Vanity Fair, despite the looming prospect of a life sentence if convicted. According to Read, she won’t entertain the idea of a plea deal, even under the risk of severe penalties. “As scary as a potential conviction is, I will go to jail for something I didn’t do before I plea out. I will never give them that win.” Read, a former Fidelity Investments analyst and Bentley University finance professor, has assembled a team of criminal defense attorneys, but the cost of her legal defense has been steep. She has sold her home to offset expenses and is now living off the remains of her 401(k), accruing more than $5 million in legal fees. “If I can get the entire truth of this case out in the public forum, that, to me, is priceless,” she said. At the core of her defense are allegations that O’Keefe, her boyfriend of two years, was the victim of a violent cover-up involving other Boston police officers. Prosecutors argue that Read deliberately ran him over in her SUV after an evening out on January 29, 2022, a claim her defense refutes, asserting that O’Keefe was beaten by others. In July, her case resulted in a mistrial, and her legal team has appealed to Massachusetts’ Supreme Judicial Court to dismiss two of the charges ahead of a scheduled retrial in January. Reflecting on her relationship with O’Keefe, Read described challenges in their dynamic, with disagreements over his role as a disciplinarian for his niece and nephew, who lived with him. According to Read, O’Keefe struggled to mourn his late sister, the children’s mother, and remained hesitant about seeking therapy. “I think that’s part of his stock,” Read told Vanity Fair, “this Irish Catholic, south-of-Boston, rub-some-dirt-on-it, drink-through-your-problems mindset.” In detailing the night of O’Keefe’s death, Read recalled attending a gathering at the Waterfall Bar & Grille in Canton, after which she and O’Keefe joined others at an afterparty. Feeling uneasy upon arrival, she sent O’Keefe inside, only to leave after he didn’t return. She admitted to a fleeting thought that he might be “screwing around,” explaining, “I didn’t think he was physically incapacitated.” She left him multiple voicemails before heading home. Prosecutors, who highlight Read’s flirty exchanges with O’Keefe’s acquaintance Brian Higgins, argue that these interactions hint at motives for the crime. In response, Read openly admitted to seeking validation from Higgins. “I knew Higgins found me attractive,” she said, “It helped me emotionally validate myself, which is embarrassing to admit.” Amid the stress of her case, Read has remained steadfast about her innocence. Addressing rumors that she implicated herself in texts, she explained to Vanity Fair that she and her attorney, David Yannetti, only began communicating after police seized her phone. She said she initially told her parents, “If I did anything in any way, I’ll pay my dues. That’s how this should work. I want to know the truth — good, bad, ugly.” Read’s retrial is set to bring her story back into the public eye, with high stakes and public scrutiny on both her legal and personal lives. Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon ...
    Show more Show less
    11 mins
  • Mother of Missing Wisconsin Toddler Pleads Not Guilty to Charges Related to His Death
    Oct 31 2024
    The mother of Elijah Vue, a 3-year-old boy whose remains were found months after he was reported missing, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to charges linked to his death in Manitowoc County. Katrina Baur, 31, appeared over Zoom from the Manitowoc County Jail as her attorney entered the plea on her behalf.

    Baur is charged with two felonies, including chronic neglect of a child resulting in death, along with two misdemeanors. Baur remains in custody on a $400,000 bond. During the hearing, the court allowed her a conditional modification to visit her daughter if approved by Child in Need of Protection and Services (CHIPS).

    The case traces back to Feb. 20, when Elijah was first reported missing by Baur’s boyfriend, 39-year-old Jesse Vang. An extensive search was launched throughout Manitowoc County and beyond. After months of uncertainty, human remains were discovered by a deer hunter on Sept. 7 in a wooded area near a quarry and Camp Manitou, roughly three miles from the family’s home in Two Rivers.

    The Wisconsin Crime Lab confirmed through DNA testing that the remains belonged to Elijah, who had been missing since winter. The sheriff’s office later informed his family. The county medical examiner ruled the toddler’s death a homicide with fractures found on his face, though the exact cause of death remains unspecified.

    In addition to Baur’s charges, Vang faces multiple charges in connection to the case, including physical abuse of a child, hiding a corpse, and obstructing an officer. He is held on a $500,000 bond and is expected to appear in court next week.

    According to court documents, surveillance footage from the night before Elijah disappeared shows Vang discarding a suitcase near St. Vincent de Paul in Manitowoc County. DNA analysis later linked the suitcase to Elijah. Investigators also recovered deleted Facebook messages between Baur and Vang from Feb. 20, in which Baur instructed Vang on what to tell authorities. “Say you guys were taking a nap and he left,” Baur messaged Vang, adding, “the way you word things is very important.”

    The judge set a deadline of Dec. 20 for any potential resolution offer in Baur’s case. She is due back in court in February, while Vang’s next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 6.

    The case continues to unfold as authorities work to bring justice for Elijah Vue.
    Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
    Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
    The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
    Show more Show less
    11 mins
  • Sean "Diddy" Combs’ Parties Allegedly Enforced Strict Appearance Rules Amid Abuse Allegations
    Oct 30 2024
    Sean "Diddy" Combs, the hip-hop mogul now facing multiple allegations of sexual abuse and trafficking, reportedly maintained strict rules around the appearance of women attending his parties. Party organizers were allegedly instructed to deny entry to women weighing over 140 pounds, even carrying scales in their cars to enforce the rule, according to an unnamed organizer who spoke to the *New York Post*. Exceptions were allowed only if the woman was "really tall."

    These exclusive parties, often linked to major events like the Super Bowl and MTV Music Awards, reportedly devolved into so-called “freak offs,” sex-fueled after-parties where federal prosecutors allege widespread sexual abuse took place. According to the U.S. District Attorney’s office, Combs would drug, physically abuse, and film attendees without their consent, threatening to ruin their careers by releasing explicit footage if they did not comply with his demands.

    In recent weeks, more than 150 alleged victims, including both men and women, have come forward, with over two dozen civil suits filed against Combs. Among the most serious accusations, one woman claims she was only 13 years old when Combs allegedly drugged and raped her at a "freak off." Another organizer confirmed that they never asked female guests their age, stating, “It was don’t ask, don’t tell,” and adding, “At the time, I was really young myself, and I honestly thought that we weren’t asking their age because of drinking laws.”

    Combs, now 54, was arrested on September 17 on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. He has pleaded not guilty to these charges, which allege that he coerced women into engaging in sexual acts over extended periods, sometimes lasting days. A spokesperson for Combs’ legal team has reiterated that he denies all allegations.

    The physical standards for female attendees reportedly went beyond weight. The organizer speaking to the *New York Post* revealed that guests could not have visible "flab" or cellulite, could not be heavily tattooed or pierced, and were expected to have long hair, wear stiletto heels, and show cleavage.

    The organizer explained, “I never stayed around for the freak offs and had no idea that these girls were expected to have sex with people.” The allegations paint a disturbing picture of a culture of exploitation surrounding Combs’ parties, adding to the scrutiny surrounding the former music mogul.

    Until his trial, which is scheduled for May 5, 2025, Combs is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he shares a cell with convicted crypto scammer Sam Bankman-Fried.
    Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
    Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
    The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
    Show more Show less
    11 mins
  • Lori Vallow Daybell Requests to Represent Herself in Arizona Murder Trial
    Oct 30 2024
    Lori Vallow Daybell, widely known as the "Doomsday cult mom," is seeking to represent herself in her upcoming Arizona trial, where she faces charges related to the death of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, and the attempted murder of her niece’s ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux. According to court documents, Vallow Daybell filed her request to waive her right to legal counsel on October 16, followed by a motion from her public defender on October 21 to withdraw from the case. However, the judge has postponed making a final decision on Vallow Daybell’s request until she completes a competency evaluation under Arizona's Rule 11 process, which will determine her mental fitness to represent herself in court. This isn’t Vallow Daybell’s first encounter with mental health evaluations. In February 2023, a psychiatric assessment revealed that she suffers from a “delusional disorder” strongly associated with “hyper-religiosity” and has an “unspecified personality disorder with narcissistic features.” This diagnosis followed nearly nine months spent in an Idaho state mental hospital to restore her competency before her Idaho murder trial, where she was ultimately deemed mentally fit to stand trial. Her case’s frequent delays and unusual twists have kept it in the national spotlight. During her Idaho trial, where she was convicted of murdering her two youngest children, Tylee Ryan and Joshua "JJ" Vallow, along with Tammy Daybell, the former wife of her fifth husband, Chad Daybell, prosecutors presented evidence of the couple’s extreme religious beliefs. Testimonies highlighted their shared ideology of "light" and "dark" souls, in which they allegedly believed certain individuals could be “dark souls” possessed by malevolent entities they referred to as “zombies.” Prosecutors argued that these beliefs fueled the pair's actions, asserting that Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell killed to remove “dark” souls from their lives, paving the way for their future together. Chad Daybell, a self-published author of apocalyptic fiction, is currently on death row following his conviction for the same murders in June. Their intertwined beliefs and relationship reportedly began as an affair while both were active in a “Doomsday cult” that held apocalyptic and extreme religious views. The prosecution in Idaho argued that Vallow Daybell and Daybell used these beliefs to justify their heinous acts, leading to an intense media frenzy and public intrigue around the case. Further adding to the intrigue, a recently released phone call between Vallow Daybell and her oldest son, Colby Ryan, shows her denying responsibility for her children’s deaths. In the call, Vallow Daybell claimed that her daughter, Tylee, accidentally killed JJ and then took her own life. “What if Tylee was holding JJ down and trying to get him not to scream and be loud in an apartment? What if she held him down too long and realized afterward what she had done?” she told Ryan, who responded with shock to his mother’s assertions. Vallow Daybell also claimed to have “run out” of the apartment upon finding her children dead, suggesting that someone else disposed of their bodies. “I wasn’t aware what happened to them after I left that scene,” she added. “Their spirits were gone from their bodies. They were already in heaven.” The Arizona trial, initially scheduled for February 24, 2025, now hinges on Vallow Daybell’s upcoming mental health evaluation, which will determine if she is fit to represent herself in court. Vallow Daybell, already serving a life sentence without parole in Idaho, continues to captivate public interest as her legal proceedings unfold, marked by extreme religious beliefs, chilling statements, and mounting legal battles. Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
    Show more Show less
    13 mins
  • Federal Agencies Sweep MDC Brooklyn as Diddy, Other High-Profile Inmates Face Troubled Jail Conditions
    Oct 29 2024
    The Federal Bureau of Prisons conducted an interagency operation at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, New York, where Sean "Diddy" Combs is currently detained on sex trafficking and racketeering charges. Federal prison officials partnered with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General and other law enforcement agencies to conduct this operation on Monday.

    The Bureau of Prisons stated that the operation aimed “to achieve our shared goal of maintaining a safe environment for both our employees and the incarcerated individuals housed at MDC Brooklyn.” Officials confirmed there was no active threat to the facility, but they withheld further details regarding the specifics of the operation, citing security and safety reasons.

    MDC Brooklyn has come under fire in recent years, facing widespread criticism for its poor living conditions, violence, and frequent reports of staff shortages. This facility has housed many high-profile inmates over the years, including R. Kelly, cryptocurrency mogul Sam Bankman-Fried, and Ja Rule. As the only federal jail in New York City since the 2021 closure of MCC New York, the jail is primarily used to detain individuals awaiting federal trials in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

    Federal prosecutors recently highlighted troubling incidents at the facility, leading to nine inmates being charged in connection with a string of violent attacks at MDC Brooklyn. According to federal reports, these incidents included two inmate deaths by stabbing, another inmate seriously injured with a makeshift weapon, and a correctional officer firing shots during an unauthorized car chase. These incidents underscore long-standing safety concerns that have plagued the Brooklyn detention center.

    The detention facility has faced lawsuits and complaints from inmates over the years due to inadequate conditions. In a high-profile case, detainees won a $10 million settlement following an eight-day blackout in 2019, during which they endured frigid temperatures. R. Kelly also filed a lawsuit alleging he was improperly placed on suicide watch, and Bankman-Fried’s attorney reported his client was denied vegan food, forcing him to subsist on minimal sustenance.

    The Metropolitan Detention Center’s conditions have stirred public outrage, leading to a push by the Department of Justice and Bureau of Prisons to address the facility’s myriad issues. The recent operation is part of a larger initiative to improve safety and hold those accountable for perpetuating violence within the jail. "Maintaining safety for both employees and detainees remains our top priority,” the Bureau of Prisons reiterated in a statement.

    Located in an industrial section of the Brooklyn waterfront, MDC Brooklyn houses approximately 1,200 detainees—most of whom are awaiting federal trials. Those detained have expressed frustration over what they describe as rampant violence, unclean facilities, and frequent lockdowns that restrict them from accessing basic necessities like phone calls, showers, or time outside their cells.

    As the operation at MDC Brooklyn unfolds, the Bureau of Prisons is expected to release additional details once it concludes, keeping the security and well-being of all involved at the forefront of its objectives.

    #SeanCombs #Diddy #MDCBrooklyn #BureauOfPrisons #FederalJail #JusticeDepartment #NYC
    Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
    Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
    The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
    Show more Show less
    8 mins
  • Sarah Boone Found Guilty of Second-Degree Murder in Boyfriend’s Suitcase Death
    Oct 29 2024
    In a closely watched trial, Sarah Boone was found guilty of second-degree murder after a jury deliberated briefly on Friday, concluding Boone’s involvement in the 2020 death of her boyfriend, Jorge Torres. Prosecutors argued that Boone, 47, maliciously zipped Torres, 42, into a suitcase and left him to die, accusing her of using the act as punishment in a disturbing sequence of events. Torres ultimately died from asphyxiation, trapped inside the suitcase overnight.

    Central to the prosecution's argument was video evidence from Boone’s cell phone, which showed Torres confined inside the suitcase. In two separate videos recorded just 11 minutes apart, Torres can be heard calling out Boone’s name and repeatedly saying, "I can't breathe." Prosecutors contended this evidence demonstrated Boone's awareness of Torres' suffering.

    "This is a very horrific homicide," said State Attorney Andrew Bain. "Nobody really should have to endure this type of struggle and fight for their lives and have to die alone, begging for their last breath inside a suitcase. Today, justice was served with the conviction of Sarah Boone."

    Boone's defense team, led by attorney James Owens, argued that Boone was the victim of an abusive relationship, presenting evidence of past police involvement in the couple’s tumultuous relationship. Owens asserted that Boone suffered from Battered Spouse Syndrome, suggesting she acted without malice.

    "She's just in shock," Owens said during an impromptu news conference outside the courthouse. "We're, obviously, really disappointed. We did the best that we could, you know, in the time that we had to prepare. Sarah really liked the team, and we all got along."

    Despite the defense’s assertions, prosecutors maintained that Boone’s actions were calculated, noting that she did not attempt to help Torres as he struggled. They argued she had malicious intent, intending to harm him rather than seek help, highlighting a volatile relationship that escalated into tragedy.

    Before the trial, Boone was offered a plea deal for a reduced charge of manslaughter, which would have carried a 15-year prison sentence. She rejected the offer, opting to go to trial in hopes of clearing her name.

    The trial concluded after four years of legal maneuvering, which included Boone's rotation through multiple attorneys and several pretrial hearings. Boone's sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 2 at 1:30 p.m., where she will face the possibility of a significant prison term for the second-degree murder conviction.
    Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
    Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
    The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
    Show more Show less
    10 mins