Warning: this article mentions domestic abuse which some readers may find upsetting.
A TikTok star sobbed after he was found guilty of murdering his estranged wife and her male friend.
US social media star, Ali Abulaban, 31, was standing trial for the murder of his wife Ana Abulaban, 28, and her male friend Rayburn Barron, 29. The pair were gunned down at the Abulaban's San Diego apartment on 21 October 2021.
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Following the killings, Abulaban - who had over 940,000 followers on his TikTok account 'JinnKid' - had been charged with first degree murder.
He later pleaded not guilty to all charges.
As reported by the Huffington Post, Abulaban stood trial for the killings and was ultimately found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder.
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Abulaban had not denied shooting the pair, but said in his testimony that he had 'snapped' after walking into the apartment and finding the pair cuddling on the sofa.
During the trial, Abulaban's defence claimed that he acted in the heat of passion after being 'driven to the brink' by his estranged wife's rejection. He had also testified that he felt like he was in 'passenger’s seat in his own body', according to a previous report in the San Diego Tribune.
However, the prosecution argued that his actions were carefully planned in the wake of their separation.
They argued that Ana had been a victim of her husband's controlling - and later physically abusive - behaviour, with had led to her killing.
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The couple had originally met in 2014, however, their relationship was one marred by abuse.
It is also reported that Ana had been planning to take out a restraining order against her estranged husband on the day of her death.
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During the trial, the court was told that Abulaban had agreed to move out the apartment he and Ana had shared with their three-year-old daughter, but later made a secret copy of the key.
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On the day of the killings, he had snuck into the flat and downloaded a microphone on their daughter's iPad. After hearing Ana and Barron's voices on the audio he drove over to the apartment where, after finding the pair on the sofa, opened fire.
Barron had been shot three times in the head and neck, while Ana had a gunshot wound on her forehead. Following the killings, the TikToker is said to have taken a photo of their bodies and sent it to his mother.
The prosecution also played security footage from the building, which tracked Abulaban's movements on the day.
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Following the killings, Abulaban had phoned the emergency services before collecting his daughter from school - where he reportedly told her 'I hurt mommy.'
Prosecutors also played audio from a phone conversation, which took place between the social media personality and his mother, where he admitted to shooting Ana and Barron.
After deliberation, the judge found Abulaban guilty of both counts of first degree murder. He will be sentenced on June 28, 2024, where he faces up to life in prison.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please know that you are not alone. You can talk in confidence 24 hours a day to the national domestic violence helpline Refuge on 0808 2000 247
Topics: Crime, TikTok, US News, Domestic Abuse
Brenna Cooper