A Florida jury continued to hear evidence in the manslaughter trial of Susan Lorincz, a 60-year-old White woman accused of shooting Ajike “AJ” Owens, an unarmed Black mother, amid a dispute over neighbourhood children. The incident occurred when Owens knocked on Lorincz’s door in central Florida last June.
The jury will decide if Lorincz’s actions were justified under Florida’s self-defence laws. Lorincz, charged with manslaughter with a firearm and assault, has pleaded not guilty and faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
On Wednesday, Marion County Sheriff’s Detective Ryan Stith, the lead investigator, testified. Prosecutors asked Stith to read a letter Lorincz wrote to Owens’ children after being informed of the charges. In the letter, Lorincz expressed regret, stating she shot out of fear for her life.
LIVE: FL v. #SusanLorincz | #KnockingNeighborShootingTrial – Day 2
In the police interview played for the jury, Lorincz says she thought the victim #AJOwens was going to kill her when she knocked on her door. #CourtTV What do YOU think?
WATCH LIVE – https://t.co/tnYdPcDRMU pic.twitter.com/xXkM33K6SE— Court TV (@CourtTV) August 14, 2024
Outside the courthouse, Owens’ mother, Pamala Dias, shared her emotional struggle during the trial. She described the pain and anguish of being near the woman accused of killing her daughter. Owens’ children, expected to testify, were not present in court. Dias mentioned their anxiety but stressed the necessity of their testimony for justice.
Prosecutors presented footage of Lorincz’s police interrogation after the shooting. In the video, Lorincz recounted previous disputes with Owens about the children’s noise and toys. Lorincz claimed the situation escalated on June 2, 2023, when she confronted the children and threw their roller skates. She reported feeling threatened by Owens, who she said banged on her door and threatened her life.
Stith testified that his investigation found no significant damage to Lorincz’s door. Jurors also saw footage of a second interrogation where detectives questioned if Lorincz had researched Florida’s self-defence laws, specifically the “Stand Your Ground” law, before the shooting. In the video, Lorincz denied premeditation, insisting she acted out of immediate fear.
Detectives noted that only two minutes passed between Lorincz’s initial 911 call about trespassing children and her second call reporting the shooting. A detective in the video suggested that Lorincz’s actions were unreasonable.
During opening statements, defence attorney Morris Carranza argued that Lorincz genuinely feared for her safety, believing she had no choice but to shoot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who is Susan Lorincz and what is she accused of?
Susan Lorincz is a 60-year-old woman accused of fatally shooting Ajike Owens during a dispute over neighborhood children.
What charges does Susan Lorincz face?
Lorincz faces charges of manslaughter with a firearm and assault.
What is the potential prison sentence for Susan Lorincz if convicted?
Lorincz faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
What is Florida’s ‘Stand Your Ground’ law?
Florida’s ‘Stand Your Ground’ law allows people to use force if they believe they are in serious danger.
What was the basis of Lorincz’s defense?
Lorincz claimed she acted out of fear, believing Owens was going to kill her.