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Sarah Boone— Case Archive
2024 Criminal Trialtrial-daytrial-dayWilliam R. JayDave Cacciatore, Jr.Kevin Timothy BeckTony HendersonJames Sylivan OwensJohn MartinezKayla RodriguezMelissa RoughgardenVincent BattagliaDevin JamroBrandon MoatsAbraham MorenoJoan WilliamsBrian BooneJuan Torresopening_statementdirectcrossredirectDay 5 - October 18, 2024Opening statements presented punishment and self-defense theories before prosecution witnesses described calls, arguments, a loud noise, and Boone's accounts of Torres's death. The court admitted store records, a 911 recording, body-camera recordings, photographs, and physical evidence. Cross-examination addressed recollection limits and forensic testing that was not performed.
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Day 5 - October 18, 2024

Opening Statements, Witness Accounts, and Crime-Scene Evidence

Judge Michael Kraynick
35Proceedings
14Pages
10Witnesses
2,056Lines
11Sidebars
Day 5 of 10
Appearing:
William R. Jay Dave Cacciatore, Jr. Kevin Timothy Beck Tony Henderson James Sylivan Owens John Martinez Kayla Rodriguez Melissa Roughgarden Vincent Battaglia Devin Jamro Brandon Moats Abraham Moreno Joan Williams Brian Boone Juan Torres

Opening statements presented punishment and self-defense theories before prosecution witnesses described calls, arguments, a loud noise, and Boone's accounts of Torres's death. The court admitted store records, a 911 recording, body-camera recordings, photographs, and physical evidence. Cross-examination addressed recollection limits and forensic testing that was not performed.

Full day summary

Judge Michael Kraynick completed a Richardson hearing concerning late-disclosed medical records. He found the discovery violation inadvertent and somewhat substantial, but of limited prejudicial effect. He did not bar the defense from seeking admission of selected records and required inclusion of two additional pages. Before openings, he rejected proposed instruction boards and photographs and prohibited both sides from using proposed exhibits. He did not decide whether the defense would establish the overt act required for its anticipated self-defense evidence. In opening statements, prosecutor William Jay alleged that Sarah Boone confined Jorge Torres in a suitcase to punish him. James Owens argued that she used justified defensive restraint after repeated abuse and emphasized the approximately 11-minute interval between two phone videos. He promised Boone's testimony and acknowledged lies during interrogation, attributing them to fear. The court reminded jurors that openings were not evidence. Juan Torres described his final telephone conversation with his brother, recalling Boone yelling about choking but providing only a limited recollection of her words. Neighbors Vincent Battaglia and Brandon Moats described frequent arguments and a loud noise late on February 23, 2020. Their time estimates differed, and neither identified the noise's cause. Publix receipts and surveillance footage, along with a recording of Boone's 911 call, were admitted without objection. Brian Boone testified that Sarah reported Jorge's death the next day and had not called 911 when he arrived, despite his repeated advice to do so. He could not remember when she gave him her hide-and-seek account. Maintenance supervisor Abraham Moreno recalled her saying she was trying to teach Torres a lesson, but qualified how fully he had reported their conversation and denied asserting malice. Four body-camera recordings were admitted and played. The reporter's expressly non-verbatim playback accounts described Boone's statements about hide-and-seek, zipping Torres inside the suitcase, falling asleep, and later attempting CPR. Crime scene investigator Melissa Roughgarden authenticated 111 photographs, wine bottles, a bat, and the suitcase, all admitted without objection. She described missing zipper pulls and apparent blood. On cross-examination, she confirmed that the suitcase blood was not tested and the bat was not analyzed for fibers.

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1. Richardson Hearing

Judge Kraynick completed a medical-records discovery hearing on Day 5, allowing the defense to seek admission subject to required additional pages. He also restricted opening-statement exhibits while permitting oral descriptions of anticipated evidence.

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Procedural
Morning Session and Counsel Appearances
9 lines
Procedural
Sarah Boone: Oath and Identification
4 lines
Procedural
Richardson Hearing on Medical Records and Opening-Statement Exhibit Rulings
173 lines

The court allowed the defense to seek admission of late-disclosed medical records with added pages, but barred proposed instruction boards, photographs, and suitcase-video playback during opening.

Highlights

Richardson Hearing on Medical Records and Opening-Statement Exhibit RulingsrulingThe court found the discovery violation inadvertent and somewhat substantial but of limited prejudicial effect. It declined to bar the defense from seeking admission of the selected records and required inclusion of pages 26 and 48.

2. Seated-Juror Elevator-Contact and Impact Inquiry

Jurors confirmed compliance with overnight instructions, and the court questioned two seated jurors about riding an elevator with defense counsel that morning.

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sidebar
Possible Juror Exposure to Elevator Remark
14 lines

Owens reported that a woman wearing a juror badge overheard his elevator remark about finishing the trial and that he believed she was on this jury.

Procedural
Jury Entry and Recognition
13 lines
sidebar
Questions About Possible Elevator Contact
8 lines

Counsel discussed asking about possible elevator contact with Mr. Owens or generally about compliance with instructions to stay away from the case.

Procedural
Seated-Juror Inquiry About Elevator Contact
14 lines

Two seated jurors reported elevator contact with counsel; one identified the defendant's attorney, and the other confirmed Mr. Owens.

sidebar
Group Inquiry Into Juror Concerns
9 lines

Counsel and the court discussed the scope and format of an inquiry into what jurors may have overheard and any resulting concerns.

Procedural
Elevator-Contact Inquiry — Juror Impact
4 lines

3. Opening Statement — Prosecution

William R. Jay’s prosecution opening on Day 5 alleged that the defendant confined Jorge Torres in a suitcase as punishment and previewed two phone videos as central expected evidence. The court reminded jurors that opening statements are not evidence.

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Opening
Opening Statement - Prosecution William R. Jay
9 lines

Jay previewed suitcase videos and investigative evidence, arguing that the defendant acted to punish Jorge Torres rather than use reasonable defensive force.

Procedural
Witness Sequestration Order
3 lines

Highlights

Opening Statement - ProsecutionotherJay alleged that the defendant confined Jorge Torres in a suitcase to punish him and previewed two phone videos as central expected proof.Opening Statement - Prosecution“The evidence is going to show Jorge Torres is dead because, in this defendant's judgment, he deserved it.”— William R. JayStates the prosecution's anticipated intent theory, not an established fact.

4. Opening Statement — Defense

James Owens presented the defense opening, arguing self-defense and previewing Boone’s expected explanation of the suitcase restraint and the interval between two phone videos.

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Opening
Opening Statement - Defense James Sylivan Owens
9 lines

Owens argued justified force, alleged repeated abuse, and emphasized the interval between suitcase videos; he acknowledged alleged interrogation lies and promised Boone's testimony.

sidebar
Witness Timing and Courtroom Decorum
21 lines

Counsel discussed Juan Torres’s estimated 20-minute testimony, depending on cross-examination, two brief records-custodian appearances before lunch, and a request to avoid first-name-only references to adults.

Highlights

Opening Statement - DefenseotherOwens identified the approximately 11-minute interval between the suitcase videos as central to the defense and promised that Sarah Boone would testify about what happened and why.Opening Statement - Defense“The suitcase in this case was a physical restraint or a blocking of an attack, but it was unconventional. Self-defense, nonetheless.”— James Sylivan OwensOwens framed the suitcase as defensive restraint rather than an intentional means of killing.

5. Juan Torres — Direct/Cross

Juan Torres recalled his last phone conversation with Jorge, including Sarah Boone yelling about choking, and answered questions about their voices and how the call ended.

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Procedural
First State Witness — Call and Oath
11 lines
Direct
Juan Torres — Direct Juan Torres Dave Cacciatore, Jr.
51 lines

Juan Torres described his last call with Jorge on February 23, 2020, recalling Sarah yelling about choking in the background.

Cross
Juan Torres — Cross Juan Torres Tony Henderson
78 lines

Juan Torres confirmed hearing Sarah yell about choking, but had not asked Jorge what she meant; he described Jorge's speech as normal.

Highlights

Juan Torres — Directtestimony highlightJuan identified Sarah's voice yelling in the background of the February 23, 2020 call. He recalled something about choking or how Jorge had choked her, but gave a limited recollection of the words.

6. Devin Jamro — Direct

Publix assistant store manager Devin Jamro authenticated receipts and surveillance footage, which the court admitted without objection. The defense declined cross-examination.

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Direct
Devin Jamro — Direct Devin Jamro Dave Cacciatore, Jr.
76 lines

Devin Jamro authenticated Publix receipts and surveillance footage, admitted without objection as State's 1 and State's 2.

7. Joan Williams — Direct

911 call-taker Joan Williams authenticated a call recording admitted without objection. The defense declined cross-examination.

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Direct
Joan Williams — Direct Joan Williams Dave Cacciatore, Jr.
70 lines

Joan Williams authenticated a 911 recording admitted without objection as State's 3; the defense declined cross-examination.

1 sidebar inside this proceeding
  1. Vincent Battaglia Testimony and Lunch TimingCounsel discussed fitting next witness Vincent Battaglia’s testimony before lunch, with the State estimating 20 to 30 minutes for direct and cross-examination depending on defense questioning.

8. Vincent Battaglia — Direct/Cross/Redirect

Neighbor Vincent Battaglia testified about frequent arguing and an unidentified loud noise from Boone and Torres’s apartment on February 23, 2020. Cross-examination and redirect clarified his estimated timeline before the court released him without recall.

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Direct
Vincent Battaglia — Direct Vincent Battaglia Dave Cacciatore, Jr.
84 lines

Vincent Battaglia recalled frequent arguments next door, Boone's request for silence, and a wall-shaking noise followed by shuffling and silence on February 23, 2020.

Cross
Vincent Battaglia — Cross Vincent Battaglia James Sylivan Owens
67 lines

Battaglia clarified limits on his observations, acknowledged both neighbors' excessive drinking, and rejected a suggested 7 p.m. arrival, placing clearly audible arguing around 10 or 10:30 that night.

1 sidebar inside this proceeding
  1. Cross-Examination About Arrival HomeOwens proposed asking the witness on cross-examination whether he got home around 7:00.
Redirect
Vincent Battaglia — Redirect Vincent Battaglia Dave Cacciatore, Jr.
32 lines

Battaglia placed the loud noise around 11:00 or 11:15, probably 30 to 45 minutes after audible arguing began; he was released without recall.

1 sidebar inside this proceeding
  1. Witness Release and Timing for Mr. MoatsCounsel discuss releasing a New Jersey witness with a plane ticket and calling Mr. Moats before a possible break.

Highlights

Vincent Battaglia — Directtestimony highlightFor February 23, 2020, Battaglia recalled arguing followed by a loud noise that shook his bedroom wall, some shuffling, and then silence.

9. Brandon Moats — Direct/Cross

Neighbor Brandon Moats described arguing and a later loud crash from Sarah Boone’s apartment, then clarified his timing estimates and recollection on cross-examination before the lunch recess.

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Direct
Brandon Moats — Direct Brandon Moats Dave Cacciatore, Jr.
53 lines

Moats recalled early-evening arguing and a later crash that sounded like something falling down the neighboring stairs and shook both roommates' rooms.

Cross
Brandon Moats — Cross Brandon Moats Tony Henderson
68 lines

Moats clarified his patio observation and limited recollections, placing arguing around 7:00 to 8:00 and confirming loud male and female voices.

1 sidebar inside this proceeding
  1. Lunch Break, Witness Scheduling, and Surname ReminderCounsel discussed expert travel and tentative witness schedules, with the State anticipating it might rest late Monday or early Tuesday.

10. Brian Boone — Direct

Brian Boone testified about Sarah's calls and his arrival after she reported Jorge's death. He said he urged her three times to call 911. The defense reserved its questions.

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Procedural
Sarah Boone's Satisfaction with Counsel and Trial Strategy
39 lines
Direct
Brian Boone — Direct Brian Boone Dave Cacciatore, Jr.
114 lines

Brian Boone recalled Sarah reporting Jorge's death, his repeated advice to call 911, and his limited apartment observations. The defense deferred questioning.

sidebar
911 Call Playback Setup
10 lines

The State discussed Bluetooth speakers for 911-call playback and clarified that Abraham Moreno was a regular witness, not a CSI.

Procedural
State’s Exhibit 3 — 911-Call Playback
34 lines

Highlights

Brian Boone — Directtestimony highlightBrian described repeating his advice to call 911 while traveling to the apartment and again upon arrival, approximately ten minutes after the first call. He testified that Sarah had not yet called 911 when he arrived.

11. Abraham Moreno — Direct/Cross/Redirect

Abraham Moreno recalled Boone’s account of hide-and-seek, a suitcase, and teaching Jorge Torres a lesson. Cross-examination addressed his prior statements to investigators; redirect clarified his acquaintance with Torres before his release subject to recall.

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Direct
Abraham Moreno — Direct Abraham Moreno Dave Cacciatore, Jr.
47 lines

Abraham Moreno recalled the defendant's account of hide-and-seek, teaching him a lesson, and no further memory until the next morning.

Cross
Abraham Moreno — Cross Abraham Moreno Tony Henderson
85 lines

Moreno qualified his recollection of reporting Boone's teaching-a-lesson account to police and said she never explained how things got out of hand.

Redirect
Abraham Moreno — Redirect Abraham Moreno Dave Cacciatore, Jr.
19 lines

Moreno clarified his earlier acquaintance with Jorge Torres and the gap in contact before working at Tealwood; he was released subject to recall.

Highlights

Abraham Moreno — Directtestimony highlightMoreno recalled the defendant saying she was confused, remembered playing hide-and-seek, was going to teach him a lesson, and recalled nothing further until the next morning. He also confirmed that she said she fell asleep.

12. Kayla Rodriguez — Direct

Deputy Kayla Rodriguez authenticated three body-camera recordings played for the jury, containing Boone’s account of the suitcase incident and attempted CPR. The defense declined cross-examination.

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Direct
Kayla Rodriguez — Direct Kayla Rodriguez Dave Cacciatore, Jr.
271 lines

Rodriguez authenticated three body-camera recordings, admitted without objection and played for the jury, presenting Boone's account of the suitcase incident.

1 sidebar inside this proceeding
  1. Afternoon Break and Remaining Witness ScheduleCounsel proposed medical examiner testimony on Monday and discussed a possible Monday afternoon State rest, tentative Tuesday testimony by Sarah Boone, and possible Wednesday availability for defense experts.

Highlights

Kayla Rodriguez — Directevidence eventState's 5 was played. Its non-verbatim transcription records Boone's account that Jorge entered the suitcase during hide-and-seek, she zipped him inside as a joke, and she fell asleep upstairs and forgot he was there.

13. John Martinez — Direct

John Martinez described his response to the apartment, and part of his body-camera recording was admitted and played for the jury. The defense declined cross-examination.

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Direct
John Martinez — Direct John Martinez Dave Cacciatore, Jr.
122 lines

John Martinez described finding Jorge Torres in the apartment and authenticated body-camera footage admitted as State's 7 and played for the jury.

14. Melissa Roughgarden — Direct/Cross/Redirect

Melissa Roughgarden testified about crime-scene photographs, the suitcase, and evidence collection. Defense questioning addressed untested evidence and possible signs of prior violence. Redirect and juror instructions closed Day 5 before the evening recess.

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Direct
Melissa Roughgarden — Direct Melissa Roughgarden Dave Cacciatore, Jr.
297 lines

Roughgarden authenticated scene photographs, wine bottles, a baseball bat, and the suitcase, all admitted without objection, and described the suitcase's condition and dimensions.

Cross
Melissa Roughgarden — Cross Melissa Roughgarden Kevin Timothy Beck
87 lines

Roughgarden confirmed untested suitcase blood and no bat fiber analysis, addressed scene-documentation limits, and clarified her courtroom zipper observation.

Redirect
Melissa Roughgarden — Redirect Melissa Roughgarden Dave Cacciatore, Jr.
51 lines

Roughgarden clarified photograph coverage, wall-damage documentation, and physical observations; she was released subject to recall before the jury's weekend recess.

1 sidebar inside this proceeding
  1. Jury Certificates and Weekend InstructionsThe court confirmed the day's last witness and discussed employer service certificates and jury instructions for the long weekend.

Highlights

Melissa Roughgarden — Directevidence eventThe court admitted the suitcase, premarked State's A, without objection as State's 11. During publication, Roughgarden described operating its closing zipper as a little difficult.Melissa Roughgarden — CrossadmissionRoughgarden said the decision about testing suitcase blood was discussed with the detective and confirmed that the blood was not tested. She did not adopt Beck's suggestion that it was assumed to belong to Jorge Torres.Melissa Roughgarden — Cross“The blood was not tested.”— Melissa RoughgardenDirectly identifies a limit in the forensic testing of the suitcase blood.
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