Florida Woman Convicted in Shooting of Black Mother, Sparks Outrage

 

A white Florida woman, Susan Lorincz, was convicted on Friday for the manslaughter of Ajike “AJ” Owens, a Black mother of four, in a case that has ignited widespread outrage from civil rights advocates and the victim’s family. Lorincz could face up to 30 years in prison, with her sentencing date yet to be determined.

The verdict came after a week-long trial in Marion County, presided over by an all-white jury. The jury found Lorincz guilty of fatally shooting Owens through her front door on June 2, 2023, following a confrontation. Witnesses testified that Lorincz had a history of conflict with Owens, including hurling racist slurs at her children and assaulting them with objects such as a roller skate.

The emotional verdict was met with relief by Owens' mother, Pamela Dias, who expressed her gratitude in the courtroom. “Oh God, thank you,” she said as she left.

The trial revealed a series of previous altercations between Lorincz and Owens, with neighbors describing Lorincz as a frequent caller of law enforcement whenever she was annoyed by children playing nearby. On the day of the incident, Owens had approached Lorincz’s house to address an earlier assault on her children. Despite Lorincz’s claim that she acted in self-defense, evidence showed that Owens was unarmed and not attempting to break into the house.

The case initially sparked controversy due to delays in Lorincz’s arrest and comments from Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods, who cited Florida’s stand-your-ground law. This law permits the use of deadly force if a person feels their life is in imminent danger. However, Woods later acknowledged that the killing was unjustified, and Lorincz was subsequently charged with manslaughter.

Civil rights attorney Melba Pearson criticized the decision not to charge Lorincz with second-degree murder. “Her act of shooting through a door where she couldn’t see who was on the other side was a reckless and wanton disregard for human life,” Pearson said, arguing that the case fit the textbook definition of second-degree murder.

Owens' family and their attorney, Anthony Thomas, also expressed shock at the all-white jury, deeming it unrepresentative of Ocala's diverse population. They felt that racial bias had influenced the proceedings and the charges brought against Lorincz.

Throughout the trial, prosecutors focused on Lorincz’s history of hostile behavior towards Owens and her children. Officers testified that Lorincz had previously called 911 multiple times following disputes with Owens, further highlighting the tension between the two neighbors.

Witnesses to the shooting testified that Owens was neither armed nor attempting to force entry into Lorincz’s home. Contrary to Lorincz’s claim of imminent danger, the evidence, including a Ring doorbell recording, showed no aggressive actions by Owens.

The Owens family released a statement before the verdict, emphasizing the broader implications of AJ’s death. “AJ’s death is not just a singular tragedy, it reflects the systemic racism that continues to permeate every facet of American life,” they stated. They called for the verdict to serve as a catalyst for change and a step towards justice and equality.

In the wake of the conviction, the Owens family and civil rights advocates hope that this case will inspire a deeper examination of the structures that allow such tragedies to occur and drive the ongoing fight for justice and equality.