Current:Home > MyFormer TikToker Ali Abulaban Found Guilty in 2021 Murders of His Wife and Her Friend -MoneyFlow Academy
Former TikToker Ali Abulaban Found Guilty in 2021 Murders of His Wife and Her Friend
Charles Langston View
Date:2025-04-10 09:32:09
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! (8137)
Related
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
- What happened to Alissa Turney, Arizona teen who disappeared in 2001?
- IMF warns Lebanon that the country is still facing enormous challenges, years after a meltdown began
- Katharine McPhee, David Foster break silence on their nanny's death
- The Louvre will be renovated and the 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
- A new kids' space at an art museum is actually about science
- Artwork believed stolen during Holocaust seized from museums in multiple states
- Eagles fly to 2-0 with win over Vikings: Winners and losers from 'Thursday Night Football'
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Oops! I called my boss 'dude.' Career coaches weigh in on tricky workplace dilemmas
Ranking
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- Fall fever is upon us: Häagen-Dazs brings back Pumpkin Spice Shake in time to celebrate
- Elijah McClain case: Trial of two officers begins in connection with 2019 death
- Biden set for busy week of foreign policy, including talks with Brazil, Israel and Ukraine leaders
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- Ketanji Brown Jackson warns nation to confront history at church bombing anniversary event
- Errors In a Federal Carbon Capture Analysis Are a Warning for Clean Energy Spending, Former Official Says
- Police group photo with captured inmate Danelo Cavalcante generates criticism online
Recommendation
Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
Sioux Falls pauses plan to ditch arsenic-contaminated taxidermy display at state’s largest zoo
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's impeachment trial: Senate begins deliberations
UAW strike: Workers at 3 plants in 3 states launch historic action against Detroit Three
2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
Yankees reliever Anthony Misiewicz hit in head by line drive in scary scene vs. Pirates
An Arizona homeowner called for help when he saw 3 rattlesnakes in his garage. It turned out there were 20.
Former top US diplomat sentenced in Qatar lobbying scheme