Sarah Boone’s Attorney Told Her the Cold Hard Truth
- Reporting Live
- 7 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Sarah Boone is writing letters again—and this time, she included a letter from her own appellate attorney that says quite a bit about where things stand with her appeal.
In my latest video, I break down Boone’s new correspondence with Florida’s Sixth District Court of Appeals, along with the response she received from her court-appointed appellate attorney, David Maldonado. And if you’ve followed the Sarah Boone case for any length of time, you already know where this is headed.
She is not happy.
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A Quick Refresher on the Sarah Boone Case
Sarah Boone was convicted in connection with the death of her boyfriend, Jorge Torres Jr., after he was zipped inside a suitcase and left there overnight.
One of the most disturbing pieces of evidence in the case came from Boone’s own phone. Video showed Torres trapped inside the suitcase and asking to be let out while Boone mocked and spoke to him from outside.
The case would eventually stretch on for years, with repeated court filings, attorney changes, letters, and disputes before Boone was ultimately convicted and sentenced. Even from behind bars, the paperwork has not stopped.
Sarah Boone Writes the Court Again
The newest letter is dated July 22, 2026.
Boone acknowledges that the appellate court previously instructed her not to contact the court directly and to work through her appointed attorney. And then, essentially, she explains why she is contacting the court directly anyway.
Her complaint centers on attorney David Maldonado and his decision not to file a reply brief after the state responds to Boone’s appeal.
Boone argues that deciding not to file a reply before even reviewing the state’s response raises questions about how thoroughly her appeal is being handled. She believes additional arguments may need to be made and says her attorney’s approach is limiting her ability to properly defend her position on appeal.
Then, We Get the Attorney’s Letter
This is where things get interesting.
Boone included a copy of the letter Maldonado sent to her. He tells Boone that he mailed her another copy of the appellate brief after she said she had not received the first one.
Then he addresses something Boone apparently wanted very badly: more phone calls.
Maldonado explains that he generally communicates with incarcerated appellate clients in writing and says he simply does not have the time or resources to schedule another call just to discuss the brief.
His basic position is that the brief speaks for itself. He tells her he made the best arguments he could based on the circumstances of the case.
No Reply Brief. No Oral Argument.
Maldonado then lays out what happens next.
The state gets an opportunity to file its answer brief. After that, the appellate court reviews the submitted briefs.
But Maldonado tells Boone directly that he does not intend to file a reply brief. He also says he does not plan to request oral argument because he does not believe it is necessary and notes that oral arguments generally are not granted in cases like this.
And that appears to be the part Boone really does not like.
Her Attorney Basically Told Her: I’ve Done What I Can
My read on the letter?
Professionally speaking, he is telling her: I made the arguments I could make. The brief has been filed. The court has the case. And I am not going to create additional work simply because you want constant communication.
That does not mean Boone has to like it.
If you are sitting in prison appealing your conviction, hearing that your attorney does not intend to file another brief could understandably make you nervous.
But this is also Sarah Boone. Anyone who followed her case knows that she has a history of extensive letters, motions, requests, complaints, and repeated communication with the people involved in her case.
There Was One Useful Option in the Letter
Maldonado did offer Boone something that could actually make communication easier.
He enclosed an attorney-client privilege waiver that would allow him to communicate with someone Boone designated outside the prison about developments in the case.
That could give Boone a faster way to receive updates without having to rely on her attorney to schedule repeated calls directly with her.
If I were Boone, that would probably be the option I would focus on, rather than immediately escalating the situation with another court letter.
Is Sarah Boone Preparing for Another Attorney Fight?
Boone has not explicitly said in this correspondence that she wants Maldonado removed.
But if you have followed this case, you know the pattern. When Boone becomes frustrated with an attorney, things can escalate quickly.
The question now is whether this remains a disagreement over appellate strategy or becomes another larger conflict between Boone and the attorney assigned to represent her.
My Take on Sarah Boone’s Appeal
I do not see this latest dispute dramatically changing where the case is headed.
The attorney filed the appellate brief. The state gets to respond. The appellate court will review the arguments.
Boone clearly wants additional advocacy, but her attorney appears to believe he has already made the strongest arguments available to him.
And that may simply be the cold, hard truth Boone does not want to hear.
Sometimes there is no other motion to file. There is no other argument that changes everything. No other phone call can fix the situation.
Eventually, the court has to decide.
Sarah Boone May Be Her Own Worst Enemy
One of the recurring themes throughout Boone’s case has been her inability to stop pushing.
More letters. More arguments. More requests. More complaints. More attempts to control what happens next.
That persistence may feel like advocacy from Boone’s perspective, but there is a point where constantly fighting everyone involved can work against you.
Her attorney’s letter reads like someone trying to establish boundaries while still explaining the appellate process professionally.
Whether Boone accepts those boundaries is another question entirely.
What Happens Next?
The next major step is the state’s response to Boone’s appellate brief.
After that, the appellate court can review the arguments submitted by both sides.
Meanwhile, based on her latest correspondence, I would not be surprised if we hear from Boone again.
Sarah Boone and a pen have proven to be a very consistent combination.
What Do You Think?
Do you think Boone has a legitimate reason to be concerned that her attorney does not plan to file a reply brief?
Or does Maldonado’s letter simply reflect an attorney who believes he has already made every meaningful argument available?
Let me know what you think in the comments.
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