ORLANDO, Fla. – The new lawyer for Sarah Boone spoke for the first time to News 6 after a hearing Tuesday at the Orange County Courthouse.
Attorney James Owens of Milton said he will now represent her in the trial next month despite her going through nearly a dozen public defenders over the last few years.
“Sarah Boone needed a lawyer. I mean, I can’t imagine our system, the case is an aberration,” Owens said.
Boone, who was representing herself, was in court Tuesday. She is accused of leaving her boyfriend, Jorge Torres Jr., to die in a suitcase back in 2020.
“Sarah has been sitting in jail for a while. She’s looking for her day in court and we all want justice to be served. I’m a criminal defense lawyer. I’ve been doing it for a long time. The state has the burden of proof, they have to prove their case. I know there is some strong evidence in the case,” Owens explained.
Owens explained he learned about Boone’s case through social media and Court TV and after speaking with her, he said it still took a few days to decide whether or not he wanted to take the case.
Last week, Owens filed a motion asking for a delay adding that he plans to use “Battered Spouse Syndrome” as a defense and needs more time to prepare but the judge denied delaying the case.
Owens also requested to bring in a crime scene reconstruction specialist for Boone’s trial.
A pre-trial hearing for Boone is set for Sept. 26 and her trial is scheduled for Oct. 7.
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