Current:Home > MyFormer TikToker Ali Abulaban Found Guilty in 2021 Murders of His Wife and Her Friend -DollarDynamic
Former TikToker Ali Abulaban Found Guilty in 2021 Murders of His Wife and Her Friend
View
Date:2025-04-16 12:32:42
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! (49355)
Related
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- Mississippi seeing more teacher vacancies
- John Calipari's middling Kentucky team may be college basketball's most interesting story
- Before Russia’s satellite threat, there were Starfish Prime, nesting dolls and robotic arms
- From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
- At least 7 Los Angeles firefighters injured in explosion, multiple in critical condition
- Godzilla, Oscar newbie, stomps into the Academy Awards
- NYC man caught at border with Burmese pythons in his pants is sentenced, fined
- Small twin
- In a first, Oscar-nominated short ‘The Last Repair Shop’ to air on broadcast television
Ranking
- The Louvre will be renovated and the 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
- 'I just went for it': Kansas City Chiefs fan tackles man he believed opened fire at parade
- Ex-Los Angeles police officer won’t be retried for manslaughter for fatal shooting at Costco store
- UGG Boots Are on Sale for 53% Off- Platform, Ultra Mini, & More Throughout Presidents’ Day Weekend
- Appeals court scraps Nasdaq boardroom diversity rules in latest DEI setback
- Gwen Stefani receives massive emerald ring for Valentine's Day from Blake Shelton
- 'Odysseus' lander sets course for 1st commercial moon landing following SpaceX launch
- Company plans $344 million Georgia factory to make recycled glass for solar panels
Recommendation
Questlove charts 50 years of SNL musical hits (and misses)
The Voice Alum Cassadee Pope Reveals She's Leaving Country Music
Here’s where all the cases against Trump stand as he campaigns for a return to the White House
Photos: Uber, Lyft drivers strike in US, UK on Valentine's Day
See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
Florida deputy mistakes falling acorn for gunshot, fires into patrol car with Black man inside
Youth baseball program takes in $300K after its bronze statue of Jackie Robinson is stolen
After getting 'sand kicked in face,' Yankees ready for reboot: 'Hellbent' on World Series