A Florida woman has been convicted of manslaughter for fatally shooting her Black neighbor amid a long-standing dispute over children playing outside her home.
Sixty-year-old Susan Lorincz was found guilty by an all-white jury after just two and a half hours of deliberation, with the verdict announced on August 16, 2024.
This case has stirred significant emotional responses, as Lorincz now faces up to 30 years in prison.
The fatal encounter occurred on June 2, 2023, when Lorincz shot 35-year-old Ajike "A.J." Owens through her front door, claiming she feared for her life during the confrontation.
''I panicked and I thought, 'Oh my God, she's really going to kill me this time,''' Lorincz told detectives during questioning, describing the chaos as Owens pounded on her door.
According to Lorincz, she had endured harassment over the years from Owens and her children, who were often playing nearby.
The shooting followed anger over Owens’ children reportedly playing too loudly, with Lorincz allegedly throwing roller skates and using foul language toward them during previous altercations.
Many witnesses testified about the incident, noting they did not hear any threats made by Owens during the confrontation.
Despite utilizing Florida’s controversial “stand your ground” law as her defense, prosecutors argued there was no evidence of imminent danger.
''It’s not a crime to bang on somebody's door. It's not a crime to yell,'' stated prosecutor Rich Buxman during the closing arguments, emphasizing the absence of credible threats from Owens.
Lorincz did not take the stand during her trial, with her defense attorney stating she acted out of fear.
''She can defend herself,'' Assistant Public Defender Amanda Sizemore argued, insisting Lorincz had only moments to respond when she fired her weapon.
The emotional weight of the verdict became evident as members of Owen’s family broke down in tears following the decision.
Owens’ mother, Pamela Dias, expressed her relief, stating, ''We've achieved some justice for Ajike. My heart is a little lighter.''
Prosecutors, including State Attorney William Gladson, described the decision as a tragic reminder of the impact of gun violence, which has left four children without their mother.
Throughout the trial, the defense argued for Lorincz's belief of being under threat, but the jury was unconvinced.
During the trial, detailed testimony was presented about Owens approaching Lorincz’s home, as she knocked on the door multiple times, demanding Lorincz come outside.
After the gunshot rang out, local deputies arrived on the scene to respond to multiple reports of gunfire.
According to the autopsy, Owens weighed around 290 pounds, significantly larger and younger than Lorincz, and had previous confrontations with her.
Concerns about the trial’s racial dynamics emerged, as all members of the jury were white, prompting discussions about the selection process.
''I was surprised to not see any Black jurors, considering the racially sensitive nature of this case,'' commented family members of Owens.
The Marion County Black population is approximately 12%, which raised eyebrows since only eight out of 70 potential jurors were Black.
Prior to the trial, there were protests within the Black community, especially when prosecutors chose to charge Lorincz with manslaughter instead of second-degree murder, which carries more severe penalties.
After the verdict, attorneys representing Owens’ family emphasized their desire for the maximum sentence to be imposed on Lorincz.
''The jury did their job today, now it’s up to Judge Hodges to do his job,'' said Anthony Thomas, attorney for Owens' family, hinting at the expected sentencing hearing.
The case not only highlights the personal tragedy within the families involved but also raises broader concerns about gun violence, community relations, and the justice system's handling of such sensitive cases.
''This has been a long and painful process. We hope today's verdict brings some peace to our family,'' Pamela Dias concluded outside the courthouse.
The scheduled sentencing will take place at a later date, with Lorincz remaining held without bond until then.
