TikTok star Ali Abulaban, popular as JinnKid, has been found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder for the October 2021 killings of his estranged wife, Ana Abulaban, and her friend, Rayburn Cardenas Barron. The San Diego, California-based TikToker faces life in jail without parole for the double murder and will be sentenced on June 28.
The jury delivered the verdict in the high-profile trial on Wednesday, leading to a wave of emotions in the courtroom, reported the California-based 7San Diego.
Abulaban, who has been in jail since the day of the shootings on October 21, 2021, admitted during the trial to killing the two. When the first verdict was read by the judge, the gallery responded with cheers.
Abulaban, who gained popularity on TikTok for his comedy sketches and celebrity impersonations, particularly of Tony Montana from ‘Scarface’, had nearly a million followers before the incident.
Visibly emotional, Abulaban held his hand to his face and wiped away tears as the court set his sentencing date for June 28, where he could face life imprisonment, according to the report.
‘SNAPPED’ ON SEEING WIFE, FRIEND CUDDLING: TIKTOK STAR
Ali Abulaban, the 31-year-old, did not deny killing his 28-year-old wife Ana Abulaban, and her 29-year-old friend Rayburn Barron. Prosecutors also said that Ali had downloaded an app on their daughter’s iPad to catch his wife red-handed, following which he barged in with a loaded gun.
Abulaban testified that he “snapped” after seeing the two cuddling on the couch of the apartment he shared with his wife and their young daughter Amira, according to the HuffPost.
Abulaban and his wife were having marital issues at the time of the killings, prosecutors previously said, according to People.com. He was living in a hotel and had been stalking Ana after she told him to leave their apartment.
“Finally, my brother and Ana got a little bit of justice,” said Rayburn Cardenas Barron’s sister, Jordana Barron. “Obviously, nothing is going to bring our brother or Ana back, but at least he is never going to be able to do this to another person again.”
“We’ve been waiting almost three years for this,” said Julia Stuntz, Ana’s best friend, expressing relief.
The jury began deliberations after closing arguments on Friday, considering whether the killings were premeditated first-degree murders or crimes of passion, which would constitute second-degree murder.
By late Wednesday morning, they had reached their decision, according to the 7San Diego.
JURY HAD TO DECIDE IF IT WAS A CRIME OF PASSION
Since Abulaban did not dispute the act of killing the victims, the jury’s task was to determine whether the murders were premeditated or committed in the heat of passion.
Abulaban faced charges of first-degree murder with allegations of using a firearm in the killings, along with committing multiple murders. The defence had hoped for a second-degree murder verdict, which would have significantly reduced his sentencing. However, the jury found him guilty of all charges.
Defense attorney Jodi Green countered by arguing that Abulaban, who had a troubled childhood, mental health issues, and was under the influence of cocaine, should not be convicted of murder.
“Ali Abulaban is not a murderer,” Green said. “Yes, he killed Ana, the woman he loved, the mother of his beautiful daughter, and he killed Ray, a man with whom Ana was having an affair. And he cannot undo what he has done, but he did not murder them. He is not a murderer.”
Abulaban’s attorney, Green, described the relationship between Ana and Ali as extremely tumultuous, arguing that the act was not premeditated but a consequence of heightened emotions and instability.