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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, EP21 "The Double Murder Timeline"
More law enforcement officials took the stand. Prosecutors wanted the jury to hear what police found and analyzed when they processed all the evidence linked to the murders of Ana Abulaban and Rayburn Barron, her friend. Investigators said they were able to pinpoint the exact time and location of the defendant, Ali Abulaban by using surveillance camera footage.
S1, EP22 "Following The Killer's Movement"
The jury followed along with the video clips and camera images showing his movements in the lead up to the fatal shootings of his wife, Ana, and her friend, Rayburn Barron. On the stand was the Detective Robert Hopper, who put together the murder timeline. Hopper was also the first investigator to question the defendant behind bars after his arrest for two counts of first-degree murder.
S1, EP23 "Social Media Evidence"
Prosecutors wanted to make clear without a doubt how they say the defendant pulled off this double homicide. Their case argued that the defendant, Ali Abulaban, was so addicted to social media that he grew angrier, narcissistic and jealous. When things got tumultuous in Ali and Ana Abulaban's marriage, both of them turned to social media to air out their dirty laundry. After the fatal shots were fired, the image of a rising online star with the perfect life was exposed for the world to see.
S1, EP24 "From Abuse To Murder"
The detective who investigated the social media activity of Ali Abulaban answered questions under cross-examination. Ali seemed to grow more aggressive and out-of-control online in the weeks leading up to the shootings of his wife Ana and Rayburn Barron. Detective Robert Hopper and his investigative team were convinced that Ali's motive to kill his estranged wife was his suspicion that she was moving on from him. But, Ali took it as cheating since he was trying to save his marriage.
S1, EP20 "Friends From Overseas"
Jurors listened intently to the candid testimony of one of Ana Abulaban's close friends. Alexandria Black described Ali Abulaban, as controlling, mean, attention-seeking, and even racist. She was testifying about things that happened years before the two murders. Next, another childhood friend of Ana's testified about those early days when she began dating Ali. The state wanted to give some context to Ana's background and what led to her troubled marriage that involved years of domestic abuse.
S1, EP19 "Amira And The Child Care Specialist"
A child care specialist took the stand. When Ali Abulaban was arrested, his daughter, Amira, was in the car. She was only five years old when her mother, Ana, and her mom's friend, Rayburn Barron, were killed. Jurors learned how authorities attempted to get personal information from young Amira during the murder investigation. She had been living in the apartment during her parent's troubled marriage.
S1, EP18 "Investigating The Crime Scene"
The jury learned about the grisly crime scene where his wife, Ana, and her friend, Rayburn Barron were shot. The two were at her apartment just days after Ali moved out. Law enforcement arrived at the crime scene a few minutes after the defendant called 911. The arresting officers told the jury that when they took him into custody Ali was calm and cooperative.
S1, EP17 "The Arrest"
Prosecutors contended that the defendant called his mother and confessed over the phone. He then called police. When they arrested him, his daughter was in the car. The officer who arrested Ali Abulaban told jurors that Ali pulled over on his own and calmly got out of the car with his hands up. San Diego police treated this as a high-risk vehicle stop. The jury watched the entire arrest unfold on police bodycam video.
