Jury finds Susan Lorincz guilty of manslaughter of AJ Owens

A Marion County woman who admitted killing her neighbor was convicted Friday of manslaughter in the shooting death of AJ Owens. A six-person jury found Susan Lorincz guilty of manslaughter after briefly deliberating. Lorincz shot Ajike “AJ” Owens after an argument about Owens' children playing in Lorincz's yard.>> Owens' family is expected to speak. Testimony will stream in the video player above. During the woman's trial, which began Tuesday, prosecutors argued that Owens was unarmed and did not threaten Lorincz when she fired through her locked front door. The defense says Lorincz feared for her life. Witnesses have been called by both sides all week. The state concluded its evidence Wednesday and the defense did the same Thursday. Lorincz decided she would not testify in her own defense.Susan Lorincz trial coverage:Day 1: Witnesses recall ongoing issues between Susan Lorincz and victim in manslaughter trialDay 2: Front door with bullet hole brought into courtroomDay 3: Defense calls forensic analysts; closing arguments expected FridayClosing arguments concluded at 11:10 a.m. Friday. Now, jurors are expected to deliberate. Depending on how long they deliberate, it's possible a verdict could be reached in the case today.On Thursday evening, the family of AJ Owens released a statement saying they hope the jury's verdict reflects the gravity of what happened and that they can find peace.”We are united in our grief, but we are also united in our hope for a better tomorrow,” the statement said.About the case:In June 2023, Marion County officers were called to a home after a mother, later identified as Owens, was shot and killed. Her neighbor, Lorincz, admitted to the shooting and was arrested a few days later. According to officials, the shooting stemmed from an argument over Owens' children, which was not out of character, deputies said. Officers say they had been called to the area six to eight times before.RELATED: Leaving race out of Susan Lorincz's trial could help AJ Owens, legal expert saysThe Marion County Sheriff's Office said there was a confrontation between Lorincz and the children that prompted Owens to go to Lorincz's door. That's when the fatal shooting occurred.The Sheriff's Office arrested Lorincz and booked her into jail on manslaughter charges less than a week after the incident. The Owens family tried to push through a murder charge, but that didn't happen. Lorincz said Owens threatened her and banged violently on her door, after which she opened fire, fearing for her life.RELATED: Ocala woman who shot and killed her neighbor through doorway pleads not guiltyRELATED: Documents reveal Susan Lorincz statements after fatal shooting of AJ Owens