Current:Home > MyFormer TikToker Ali Abulaban Found Guilty in 2021 Murders of His Wife and Her Friend -CapitalCourse
Former TikToker Ali Abulaban Found Guilty in 2021 Murders of His Wife and Her Friend
View
Date:2025-04-14 02:33:09
A verdict has been reached in the case regarding former TikToker Ali Abulaban.
On May 29, a jury in San Diego, Calif., found the social media personality—who went by "JinnKid"— guilty of two counts of first-degree murder in the case regarding the killings of his wife Ana Abulaban and her friend Ray Barron.
In a video of the verdict shared by CBS San Diego, the gallery can be heard cheering as the conviction was revealed and Abulaban can be seen breaking down in tears.
While Abulaban initially pleaded not guilty to the charges back in 2021, he admitted to the killings during the trial that began earlier this month, per the outlet. The jury was then tasked with determining whether this constituted as first or second-degree murder (and if his actions were intended and premeditated) or voluntary manslaughter done in a heat of passion.
As seen in footage from the trial shared by Court TV, Abulaban—who'd accused Ana of cheating on him—detailed how he'd been recording his estranged wife to see if she was with another man and how he went to the apartment they used to live in together with a gun, found her and Barron on the couch and shot them in 2021.
"Before I could stop myself, I just f--king snapped," Abulaban said on the stand. "My gun was in my hand, and next thing I'm shooting and I can't stop."
However, during closing arguments, prosecutor Taren Brast argued that Abulaban did not act out of heat of passion.
"There is not of heat passion when you walk in on your separated wife who is not with you on the couch with someone else, fully clothed, not having sex," she said, as seen on Court TV. "And heat of passion does not apply when you walk into an apartment that you had bugged with a keycard you are not supposed to have to a fight that no one else knew was happening but you, and you brought a gun. That is not heat of passion."
Meanwhile, Jodi Green for the defense argued Abulaban—who shared daughter Amira with Ana—did act out of heat of passion and pointed to his "spiraling" mental health and cocaine use.
"Yes, he killed Ana—the woman he loved, the mother of his beautiful daughter Amira—and he killed Ray, a man with whom Ana was having an affair," she said, as shown on Court TV. "And he cannot undo what he has done, but he did not murder them. He is not a murderer."
Abulaban is set to be sentenced on June 28.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (8216)
Related
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- 77-year-old Florida man accused of getting ED pills to distribute in retirement community
- Trump seeks dismissal of charges in Stormy Daniels hush money case
- Why the UAW strike could last a long time
- 2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
- Jason Kelce Reveals the Picture Perfect Gift Travis Kelce Got for His Niece Wyatt
- U.S. to restart deportations to Venezuela in effort to reduce record border arrivals
- Pennsylvania chocolate factory fined for failing to evacuate before fatal natural gas explosion
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- Men took over a job fair intended for women and nonbinary tech workers
Ranking
- Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
- Nigeria’s president faces new challenge to election victory as opposition claims he forged diploma
- Dominican authorities are searching for caretaker after bodies of 6 newborns are found near cemetery
- Chocolate factory ignored worker concerns before blast that killed 7, feds find
- North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
- Kevin McCarthy’s ouster as House speaker could cost the GOP its best fundraiser heading into 2024
- These associate degree majors lead to higher incomes than a 4-year bachelor's. Here are the top programs.
- Joel Embiid decides to play for USA — not France — in Paris Olympics, AP source says
Recommendation
Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
Jamie Foxx Mourns Death of Friend Keith Jefferson at 53
Ukrainian gymnast wins silver at world championships. Olympic spot is up in the air
Nigeria’s president faces new challenge to election victory as opposition claims he forged diploma
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
US Customs officials seize giraffe feces from woman at Minnesota airport
We need to talk about the macro effect of microaggressions on women at work
Chocolate factory ignored worker concerns before blast that killed 7, feds find