On Friday, a jury convicted Susan Lorincz, a white Florida woman, of manslaughter for the fatal shooting of Ajike “AJ” Owens, a Black mother of four. The incident, which occurred on June 2 last year, sparked significant outrage from civil rights advocates and the victim’s family.
Lorincz, 60, had previously assaulted Owens’ children, leading Owens to confront her at Lorincz’s home. Despite Owens’ attempt to address the issue, Lorincz shot her through a locked front door without seeing who was on the other side. Lorincz claimed self-defense but has been found guilty of manslaughter. She faces a maximum of 30 years in prison, with sentencing yet to be scheduled.
Emotions ran high in the courtroom as Pamela Dias, Owens’ mother, expressed her gratitude following the verdict, delivered after two and a half hours of deliberation.
The case drew widespread criticism, particularly because of its handling under Florida’s stand-your-ground law. Initially, Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods suggested the law limited his options, but later acknowledged that the shooting was unjustified. The state attorney, Bill Gladson, opted to charge Lorincz with manslaughter instead of second-degree murder, a decision that further fueled public frustration.
Melba Pearson, a civil rights attorney, criticized Gladson’s approach, arguing that the facts of the case warranted a second-degree murder charge. She also suggested that racial biases may have influenced the decision, noting Central Florida’s lack of diversity.
The trial featured an all-white jury, which Dias and attorney Anthony Thomas criticized as unrepresentative of Ocala’s 40% minority population. While prosecutors focused on Lorincz’s previous conflicts with Owens’ family, they avoided emphasizing the racial elements of the case.
Witnesses testified that Owens was unarmed and not trying to break into Lorincz’s home. Lorincz had legally purchased firearms after earlier disputes with Owens and made internet searches related to Florida’s self-defense laws. Some neighbors obtained Ring doorbell footage showing Owens did not attempt to enter Lorincz’s house, which raised concerns about the investigation’s thoroughness.
Owens’ family described the trial as a “grueling and emotional journey,” highlighting how AJ’s death exemplifies systemic racism and urging for deeper reflection on justice and equality.
The family expressed hope that the verdict would promote recognition of shared humanity and inspire continued efforts toward equality and justice.
