SAN DIEGO — Ali Abulaban’s double murder trial continued Monday with testimony from a witness who said Ana Abulaban was physically attacked multiple times during the couple’s marriage.
“She was very concerned,” said Clare Bennamon as she fought back tears on the witness stand. “There were some instances where I would see Anna would have bruises around her face.”
Clare said Ana and her daughter moved in with her multiple times, but Ana kept trying to make things work to keep the family together.
“And she would try to talk to Ali,” Clare testified. “Either calm him down or just be there for him.”
Prosecutors said one time when Ana was away in September 2021, Ali met Ashley Sanchez in his apartment elevator. Ashley was crying from a fight with a former boyfriend.
“He invited me over - said he had wine and if I wanted to talk about it,” she said in court.
Ashley said Ali quickly turned the conversation to his problems, saying his wife had left him. She also said Ali let her know that he was a famous TikTok influencer named JinnKid. “He kept showing me his TikToks. I was like, 'What?' It was funny to me.”
Ashley said she was there for a couple hours. They talked, drank, did drugs, and had sex. She said it wasn't until she was leaving that she realized Ana had just walked out on him the night before.
Prosecutors said Ali told Ana about the affair. Ana called Ashley, who shared part of that conversation in court.
“They were in the process of splitting up and she was going to kick him out,” Ashley remembered Ana telling her.
Ashley’s response? “You go girl, he sucks.”
A month later, on October 21, 2021, prosecutors said Ali killed Ana and a male friend - Ray Barron - during a jealous rage. He's now on trial, charged with two counts of first degree murder. The trial is expected to last at least two more weeks and Ali is expected to testify. If convicted, he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.
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