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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, EP46 "The Mental Health Evaluation"
On the stand, Ali Abulaban's friend testified about how Ana helped Ali's social media career from the moment they moved to California until the couple split. A few weeks later Ana and her friend, Rayburn Barron, would be murdered. Next, jurors listened to expert testimony from a clinical and forensic psychologist. Ali's defense team hired her to evaluate him for mental disorders that may have contributed to his role in the fatal shootings.
S1, EP47 "Dr. Francesca Lehman"
Would mental illness be a mitigating factor in Ali Abulaban's role in the double homicides? The Defense argued he acted out of heated passion while the state contended years of domestic abuse opened the door to first-degree murder. The psychological evaluation of Ali Abulaban made its way to his defense case to jurors. Dr. Francesca Lehman, was the forensic psychologist who evaluated him. She explained in detail her findings to the jury.
S1, EP48 "Mental Health Diagnosis"
In her testimony to the jury, Dr. Francesca Lehman claimed that his mental illness may have affected the defendant's judgment and decision making in the lead up to the murders of his wife, Ana, and her friend, Rayburn Barron. After performing a full mental health evaluation, Dr. Lehman diagnosed Ali Abulaban with bipolar I disorder, Complex trauma, alcohol and stimulant dependence, and unspecified Personality Disorder with borderline, antisocial, and narcissistic features.
S1, EP49 "Challenging The Psychological Evaluation"
Under cross-examination, the State drilled the forensic psychologist who evaluated the defendant after he was arrested for murdering his wife, Ana, and her friend, Rayburn Barron. The lead prosecutor accused the defendant of exaggeration, omissions, and flat-out Lies throughout the whole process. Was Ali Abulaban a victim of mental illness before committing the murders? Or simply an out-of-control husband who could not accept that his wife left him?
S1, EP45 "Defendant's Friend Adds Nuance"
Ali Abulaban's Mother wrapped up her testimony. Jurors learned more background of the defendant and what may have caused him to shoot and kill his wife, Ana, and her friend, Rayburn Barron. Next, the Defense brought in one of Ali's Good Friends. According to the defendant's Mother and close friend, Ana recorded most of the viral videos Ali would make on social media. After all, it was her idea for the family to move to southern California to foster his online career.
S1, EP44 "Child Abuse And Mental Illness"
Domestic abuse was brought up in questions to Ali Abulaban's mother on the witness stand. Dalal Warra admitted that she too was a victim of domestic abuse by her husband, Ali's father. For the first time in this trial, the jury heard claims that Ali Abulaban was dealing with mental health issues and taking prescription medication to treat it. But investigators did not find a clear diagnosis documented by a specialist.
S1, EP43 "Mom Comes To Son's Defense"
Ali Abulaban's mother testified for his defense. Dalal Warra told jurors about Ali's troubled home life growing up and the mental issues he succumb to over the years. She elaborate on how her husband, Ali's father, was physically, emotionally, and verbally abusive to the both of them. Prosecutors contended that unchecked domestic abuse led to Ali killing Ana, and her friend, Rayburn Barron.
S1, EP42 "Prosecution Rests Their Case"
The State rested their case to jurors after the lead detective on the case wrapped up his testimony. Now jurors' attention turned to Ali Abulaban's defense on why he is not guilty in these crimes. According to his lawyers, he wanted to save his troubled marriage. But when Ana seemed to be getting on with her life without him he snapped and out of heated passion killed her in their apartment along with her male friend.
