Current:Home > MyFormer TikToker Ali Abulaban Found Guilty in 2021 Murders of His Wife and Her Friend -Global Finance Compass
Former TikToker Ali Abulaban Found Guilty in 2021 Murders of His Wife and Her Friend
Rekubit Exchange View
Date:2025-04-07 18:35:44
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! (882)
Related
- Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
- New Houston Texans WR Stefon Diggs' contract reduced to one season, per reports
- London police say suspects in stabbing of Iran International journalist fled U.K. just hours after attack
- Oklahoma executes Michael DeWayne Smith for 2002 fatal shootings
- A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
- Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright Reveal Why They Put 2-Year-Old Son Cruz in Speech Therapy
- Election vendor hits Texas counties with surcharge for software behind voter registration systems
- Trump says Israel has to get Gaza war over ‘fast,’ warns it is ‘losing the PR war’
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Use these tips to help get a great photo of the solar eclipse with just your phone
Ranking
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- Hits for sale: Notable artists who have had their music catalogs sell for big money
- NC State's 1983 national champion Wolfpack men remain a team, 41 years later
- Don't get Tinder swindled: Here are 4 essential online dating safety tips
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- Unmarked grave controversies prompt DOJ to assist Mississippi in next-of-kin notifications
- U.S. companies announced over 90,000 job cuts in March — the highest number since January 2023
- 2 million Black & Decker clothing steamers are under recall after dozens of burn injuries
Recommendation
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
'Monkey Man' review: Underestimate Dev Patel at your own peril after this action movie
British Museum faces probe over handling of tabots, sacred Ethiopian artifacts held 150 years out of view
Judge orders Border Patrol to quickly relocate migrant children from open-air sites in California
Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
Expand or stand pat? NCAA faces dilemma about increasing tournament field as ratings soar
Swiss Airlines flight forced to return to airport after unruly passenger tried to enter cockpit, airline says
Tech companies want to build artificial general intelligence. But who decides when AGI is attained?