Current:Home > MyFormer TikToker Ali Abulaban Found Guilty in 2021 Murders of His Wife and Her Friend -WealthSpot
Former TikToker Ali Abulaban Found Guilty in 2021 Murders of His Wife and Her Friend
View
Date:2025-04-17 21:13:28
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! (9485)
Related
- McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
- Kailyn Lowry Is Pregnant With Twins Months After Welcoming Baby No. 5
- Britney Spears can finally tell her own story in 'The Woman in Me'
- US Virgin Islands warns that tap water in St. Croix is contaminated with lead and copper
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Inside Tom Sandoval and Jax Taylor's Reconciliation Post-Vanderpump Rules Cheating Scandal
- Timeline shows Maine suspect moved swiftly to carry out mass shooting rampage and elude police
- Sober October? Sales spike shows non-alcoholic beer, wine are on the drink menu year-round
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- LeBron James: Lakers 'don’t give a (crap)' about outside criticism of Anthony Davis
Ranking
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Tokyo’s Shibuya district raises alarm against unruly Halloween, even caging landmark statue
- After another mass shooting, a bewildered and emotional NBA coach spoke for the country
- Britney Spears can finally tell her own story in 'The Woman in Me'
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- Pope’s big meeting on women and the future of the church wraps up — with some final jabs
- Sophia Bush’s 2 New Tattoos Make a Bold Statement Amid Her New Chapter
- Taylor Swift Reveals Original Lyrics for 1989’s “New Romantics” and “Wonderland”
Recommendation
Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
3 teens were shot and wounded outside a west Baltimore high school as students were arriving
NYC protesters demand Israeli cease-fire, at least 200 detained after filling Grand Central station
A 4-year-old fatally shot his little brother in Minnesota. The gun owner has been criminally charged
Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
Abercrombie & Fitch slapped with lawsuit alleging sexual abuse of its male models under former CEO
Robert E. Lee statue that prompted deadly protest in Virginia melted down
Pope’s big meeting on women and the future of the church wraps up — with some final jabs