Current:Home > MyFormer TikToker Ali Abulaban Found Guilty in 2021 Murders of His Wife and Her Friend -TrueNorth Finance Path
Former TikToker Ali Abulaban Found Guilty in 2021 Murders of His Wife and Her Friend
View
Date:2025-04-16 05:48:25
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! (3)
Related
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- Americans’ inflation-adjusted incomes rebounded to pre-pandemic levels last year
- ‘Appalling Figures’: At Least Three Environmental Defenders Killed Per Week in 2023
- White Stripes sue Donald Trump over the use of ‘Seven Nation Army’ riff in social media post
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- The Latest: Trump and Harris are set to debate in Philadelphia
- Wife of California inmate wins $5.6 million in settlement for strip search
- Unbeatable Walmart Flash Deals: Save Up to 79% on Home Cleaning Essentials, Bedding, Kitchen Items & More
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- North Carolina House Rep. Jeffrey Elmore resigning before term ends
Ranking
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- The 49ers spoil Aaron Rodgers’ return with a 32-19 win over the Jets
- Dakota Johnson Thought Energy Drink Celsius Was, Um, a Vitamin—And the Result Is Chaos
- Books like ACOTAR: Spicy fantasy books to read after ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- Beyoncé snubbed with no nominations for CMA Awards for 'Cowboy Carter'
- Black Eyed Peas to debut AI member inspired by 'empress' Taylor Swift at Vegas residency
- Most students in a Georgia school district hit by a shooting will return to class Tuesday
Recommendation
EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
Fourth death linked to Legionnaires’ disease cluster at New York assisted living facility
Chipotle uses memes for inspiration in first-ever costume line with Spirit Halloween
Ian McKellen talks new movie, bad reviews and realizing 'you're not immortal'
Travis Hunter, the 2
Princess Charlotte Has the Best Reaction to Parents William and Kate’s Major PDA Moment
Jury selection enters day 2 in the trial of 3 Memphis officers charged in Tyre Nichols’ death
Wisconsin Supreme Court to decide whether mobile voting vans can be used in future elections