Susan Lorincz Found Guilty of Manslaughter in Ocala, Florida Neighborhood Dispute
Following a tense trial, the residents of Ocala, Florida, have been intently awaiting the verdict of the heated case involving Susan Louise Lorincz. And finally, Friday afternoon brought them a resolution. After 2 and a half hours of deliberation, a jury found Lorincz guilty of manslaughter with a firearm in the shooting death of her neighbor Ajike “AJ” Shantrell Owens.
Preparation for Sentencing
Following nearly two and a half hours of deliberation, the jury returned with their verdict sentencing Suzan Lorincz to up to 30 years in prison. The courtroom filled with mixed emotions as the verdict was read out loud. Upon hearing the verdict, Lorincz seemed visibly distraught. Currently held at Marion County Jail, she has been on and off suicide watch since her arrest over a year ago. The date for her sentencing will be confirmed after a pre-sentencing investigation carried out by the Florida Department of Corrections.
The Jury’s Verdict
The jury went into deliberations at 12:06 p.m. Friday. Within hours, they concluded with a verdict. As they returned to the courtroom, Circuit Judge Robert Hodges gave some final instructions and ensured that the verdict form was filled out properly before the Court Clerk read the verdict aloud. The jury returned to the deliberation room where they spoke with Judge Hodges. Before the announcement, the jury requested to listen to two 911 calls made by Lorincz and wanted to know more about the damage to the door.
Reactions to the Verdict
The guilty verdict raised significant reactions from key participants associated with the trial. State Attorney Bill Gladson expressed his satisfaction with the verdict, saying, “The jury in this case was able to evaluate the evidence, and this verdict holds her killer accountable.” Sheriff Billy Woods was noted saying that it was clear that the truth would prevail when everything is done properly.
The Civil Rights personal injury lawyer, Ben Crump, expressed gratitude toward the verdict, stating that it was a critical step in ensuring justice for the victim, albeit the further pain and sorrow for her family.
The Victim’s Family Reaction
Owen’s mother, Pamela Dias, was present when the guilty verdict was read. Overwhelmed by emotions, she expressed gratitude, “Thank you.” As for her grandchildren, she asked everyone to keep them in their prayers, stating the verdict was a good step in the right direction and brought her some peace.
Background of the Case
The case involved an unfortunate incident from June 2, 2023, where Owens, a 35-year-old single mother, was shot once in the right side of her chest with a .380-caliber handgun. This occurred while she was standing outside Lorincz’s front door, wanting to address a previous altercation involving Lorincz scolding Owens’ children. Lorincz, who had alleged use of racial slurs towards the children, claimed self-defense, leading to her arrest five days later.
Jury Selection
The jury for this trial consists of eight individuals – six women and two men, with two being alternates. Ever since Monday morning, the deliberations and proceedings of this trial have drawn much attention from the local community and media alike.
Lessons to Learn
This distressing case serves as a profound reminder that violent responses to neighborhood disputes can lead to tragic outcomes resulting in irrevocable damage. With the closing of this case, it is hoped that the grieving families find closure and continue their journey towards healing. Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of peaceful conflict resolution, understanding and respect among communities, which remains crucial to preventing such unfortunate incidents.
