San Diego, CA – A former social media influencer, known for his work on TikTok, faced a delay in his sentencing on Friday after being convicted of murdering his estranged wife and her companion in a downtown San Diego apartment building in October 2021. Ali Abulaban, 32, had appeared in court with a changed appearance, sporting a buzz cut and dressed in a jail-issued outfit, different from his previous appearances during the trial.
The continuance was granted by Judge Jeffrey Fraser of the San Diego Superior Court despite opposition from the prosecution, which argued that the victims’ families deserved closure. The new date for Abulaban’s sentencing is set for September 6.
Abulaban, who gained online recognition under the pseudonym “JinnKid,” had openly admitted during the trial to the shooting deaths of 28-year-old Ana Abulaban and 29-year-old Rayburn Cardenas Barron at the upscale Spire San Diego apartment complex. With his guilt in the killings not contested, the jury was tasked with determining the degree of murder — whether it was first or second degree.
Jurors commenced deliberations on May 24 and reached a verdict by late morning on May 29, finding Abulaban guilty on two counts of first-degree murder. The charges also included the use of a firearm and committing multiple murders, which are considered special circumstances and could influence the severity of his sentencing.
The defense had hoped for a verdict of second-degree murder, which would have significantly reduced Abulaban’s potential prison time. However, he was found guilty on all counts, including the special circumstances.
Deputy District Attorney Taren Brast commented on the jury’s decision, praising their judgment after weeks of testimony. Following the verdict, the victim Barron’s sister, Jordana Barron, expressed a sense of partial justice being served, acknowledging that while it would not bring back her brother or Ana, it would prevent Abulaban from harming others again.
During closing arguments, Brast highlighted the premeditation involved in the murders, recounting how Abulaban had surveilled his wife to catch her with another man. She detailed how he accessed the apartment with a key card he should not have possessed and was equipped with a firearm, negating any argument of a heat-of-the-moment reaction. The prosecution also presented graphic evidence and referenced Abulaban’s online searches related to disposing of bodies, underscoring the calculated nature of the crime.
Meanwhile, defense attorney Jodi Green argued for understanding, citing Abulaban’s troubled childhood, mental health issues, and substance abuse at the time of the crime. She contended that while Abulaban’s actions were tragic and irreversible, they did not constitute premeditated murder.
As the case awaits final sentencing, the complexities of the human psyche, the impacts of social media notoriety, and the tragic outcomes of domestic disputes remain focal points of discussion both in and out of the courtroom. The community and the victims’ families continue to grapple with the repercussions of the events as they await the closure that the upcoming sentencing may bring.