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TikTok Star Murder Trial
Prosecutors wanted the jury to hear from close friends and relatives of the Abulabans. On the stand was Ali's cousin who was communicating with him at the time of the murders. Jurors learned more about what may have motivated this TikTok star to plot and carry out the murders of his wife and her friend. According to his cousin, Ali got jealous that his wife was hanging out with another man after they separated. This was after Ali himself had sex with another woman in the couple's apartment.
S1, EP67 "Jailhouse Confession"
While testifying on the stand, Ali Abulaban's defense attorney blew the whistle during his cross-examination. The State brought up a jailhouse confession Ali allegedly made where he bragged about killing his wife, Ana, and her friend, Rayburn Barron. Later, the jury listened to the defendant be apologetic about his role in the fatal shootings. Ali admitted that he was initially in the victim mindset until he began his so-called Journey of healing.
S1, EP68 "Defense Rests Their Case"
Ali Abulaban's attorney had more questions for him during redirect examination. She wanted him to clarify claims he made that alluded to him premeditating and carrying out the murders of his estranged wife, Ana, and the friend she was with, Rayburn Barron. Later, Ali Abulaban wrapped up his long testimony on the stand and then his defense rested their case-in-chief to jurors. Later, the stated delivered their closing arguments.
S1, EP69 "Closing Arguments"
Premeditated was the theme in the State's closing arguments to the jury. Lead prosecutor Taren Brast laid out her theory on how a marital separation between Ali Abulaban and his wife, Ana, led him to fatally shoot at close range her and her friend, Rayburn Barron. How bad had things gotten between Ali and Ana? According to the State, Ali had to write himself notes not to abuse his wife. This was just days before the double murder.
S1, EP70 "Premeditated Murder Vs. Heated Passion"
According to the prosecution team, Ali Abulaban did not just have a plan to kill his estranged wife and her suspected lover, but he also had a plan to get his five-year-old daughter and flee town after committing the double homicide. The lead prosecutor played back video of the fatal gunshots back to the jury. Later, the defense delivered their closing arguments. They were pushing for voluntary manslaughter in the shooting deaths because they occurred out of heated passion.
