Photo: Monika Skolimowska/dpa (Photo by Monika Skolimowska/picture alliance via Getty Images)
The white woman who fatally shot her Black neighbor last year in Ocala, Florida, is now facing a manslaughter conviction.
ABC News reports that a jury convicted Susan Lorincz of manslaughter for killing her neighbor Ajike Owens in June 2023.
In June 2023, The Shade Room confirmed that Susan Lorincz faced multiple charges, including firearm-related offenses, in connection to Owens’ death.
As TSR previously reported, Ajike Owens, a mother of four, confront Lorincz after Lorincz allegedly threw skates and an umbrella at her children while they played outside.
Per NBC News, Lorincz then fatally shot Owens with a single .380-caliber round when Owens knocked on her door on June 2, 2023.
An all-white, six-person jury found Lorincz guilty of manslaughter, rejecting her claim of self-defense.
Judge Robert Hodges ordered Lorincz to remain in Marion County Jail without bond until sentencing.
NBC News revealed that Lorincz shrugged her shoulders and showed no remorse as she left the room with correctional officers. She reportedly faces up to 30 years in prison.
As noted by NBC News, Pamela Dias, Owens’ mother, cried during the trial, while a family member shouted out, “Oh, God. Thank you, Jesus,” as Lorinz faced conviction and custody.
According to WKMG, Dias addressed the media outside the courtroom after the verdict was read.
“This has been a long journey to get to this stage, this verdict. I’m very pleased with the jury, the prosecution. I find some peace with the verdict. We’ve achieved some justice for Ajike. My heart is a little lighter. We’re now on the path to true healing,” Dias stated.
During closing arguments, Lorincz’s lawyer claimed that Owens’ aggressive behavior “frightened” her, justifying her use of the gun under Florida’ “stand your ground” law.
ABC News reports that Ocala, Florida, police arrested Lorincz on June 6, 2023. She pleaded not guilty on July 10, 2023, and the court set her bond at $150,000.
NBC News details that Lorincz told police in an interview that she feared for her life and just wanted Owens to “go away.” However, killing was never her intention.
“I was never intending to kill. I was shaking. I was just so distraught at that point in time. I felt like I was in mortal danger.”
WKMG reports that prosecutor Rich Buxman argued that Lorincz’s were intentional and not accidental.
“It wasn’t an accidental situation. It wasn’t a situation where she slipped and the gun accidentally went off and shot the door and struck Ms. Owens. That’s not what we have here. She intentionally fired it. There’s no doubt that the defendant intentionally committed an act, which caused the death of Ajike Owens,” Buxman said.
