The mother of a social media personality accused of killing his wife and another man in the East Village said Monday that she didn’t believe it when her son confessed to the murders to her over the phone until so he sends him a photo of the victims’ bodies. .
The trial of Ali Abulaban, accused of fatally shooting Ana Abulaban, 28, and Rayburn Cardenas Barron, 29, is coming to an end. Defense witnesses began appearing in San Diego Superior Court late last week, and Abulaban is expected to testify this week.
Prosecutors allege that Abulaban, who went by the name JinnKid on various social media platforms including TikTok, was physically and verbally abusive toward his wife until October 21, 2021, when Ana Abulaban and Barron were shot and killed in the 35th Abulabans floor. unit at the Spire San Diego luxury apartment complex.
Abulaban’s mother, Dalal Warra, said Monday that shortly after the shooting, Abulaban called her and admitted to the killings.
Warra testified that she told him, “It’s not funny, Ali. Do not say that.
After Abulaban sent her a photo of the bodies, Warra said she immediately deleted it.
Warra testified that she knew her son and his wife were having marital problems, but under questioning she denied knowledge of several alleged incidents of domestic violence prosecutors say were committed by her son.
Assistant District Attorney Taren Brast questioned Warra about an incident in which Abulaban’s sister allegedly saw Abulaban hitting Ana, took photos of her facial injuries and sent them to her mother.
Warra said she did not remember taking the photos and was not aware of another incident in which Abulaban allegedly pushed Ana into a refrigerator.
When asked if Abulaban ever told her he hit his wife in the face, Warra replied, “She hit him too” and referenced a FaceTime call with her son during which she since he had scratches.
Warra, who said his son and his wife were married before moving to San Diego, also denied that his son was discharged from the U.S. Air Force for allegedly punching his wife in the face while stationed in Japan.
“I don’t believe it because I know how they were together,” she testified.
Although she knew that Ana had called the police on her husband several times, Warra testified that Ana never insisted on her husband’s arrest or obtained a restraining order against him.
Brast told jurors earlier this month that Abulaban was “jealous, controlling and violent” toward his wife. Although Ana said she was done with marriage, Abulaban considered her new relationship with Barron cheating and killed them for it, Brast argued.
Abulaban’s attorney, Jodi Green, argued that Abulaban suffered abuse as a child, which may have played a role in how he handled his relationships.
On the day of the shooting, the trauma, coupled with a series of undiagnosed mental health issues, sent him into an uncontrollable state when he saw his wife with Barron in the apartment, according to Green. The lawyer argued that at that moment, Abulaban felt “as if he was in the passenger seat of his body.” Not in control, not in his right mind, but overwhelmed by so much
a very intense emotion. Simply crazy.
Jurors also heard Monday from Dr. Francesca Lehman, a clinical and forensic psychologist hired by the defense, who said she diagnosed Abulaban with bipolar I disorder, complex trauma, alcohol and stimulant addiction, and mental disorder. unspecified personality with borderline, antisocial and narcissistic characteristics. .
Lehman testified that these diagnoses would create “a perfect storm” that she said would seriously impair a person’s judgment and decision-making.
The doctor also referenced several 911 calls Abulaban made in 2021, in which he expressed concerns for himself. During one of those calls, a police dispatcher believed that Abulaban was “suffering from some type of depression” and referred him to services that could help, Lehman said.
Abulaban is charged with two counts of murder, with allegations of using a handgun in the killings and a special circumstances allegation that he committed multiple murders. Jurors are expected to begin deliberating late this week.
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