Woman found guilty in AJ Owens murder case

The woman who had previously pleaded not guilty in the murder of Ajike “AJ” Owens was found guilty more than a year after the victim was killed.

According to a report by ABC News, Susan Lorincz was found guilty of first-degree manslaughter with a firearm after killing her neighbor Owens. The verdict was announced in a dramatic court hearing just before 3 p.m. Eastern Time on August 16. The sentence could put Lorincz behind bars for up to 30 years. Judge Robert Hodges has ordered her to remain in the Marion County Jail without bail until her sentencing. When Pamela Dias, Owens' mother, heard the verdict, she could barely contain her relief.

“Oh God! Thank you, Jesus!” Pamela Diaz cried as Lorincz left the courtroom. “I'm very pleased with the jury, the prosecution, the guilty verdict. I find some peace with this verdict. I feel like we got some justice for Ajike, even though my daughter is gone forever and the children's mother is gone forever.”

The fatal incident occurred on June 2, 2023, when Lorincz, a white woman, shot Owens, a black mother of four, through a locked door after an argument over children playing near Lorincz's home. Lorincz's defense argued she acted in self-defense and feared for her life. Owens' youngest son reportedly witnessed Lorincz shooting his mother as the fracas occurred.

“Ms. Owens banged on the door and demanded that the defendant come out,” said prosecutor Rich Buxman in his closing argument. “The assumption that there was any imminent or imminent danger was simply unreasonable.”

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents Owens' family, said the guilty verdict was a necessary tool in the never-ending fight against violence.

“This verdict is a critical step toward achieving justice for AJ and her family,” said Ben Crump. “While nothing can ease the pain they have endured, today's decision sends a clear message that senseless violence will be held accountable.”

The case has been compared to other high-profile shootings, such as the killing of Botham Jean by Amber Guyger in Dallas and the tragic death of Jordan Davis in Florida. These cases bring to the fore the ongoing issues of racial tensions and claims of self-defense that often spark national debates about justice and equality.

As Lorincz prepares for her sentencing, the case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of unbridled prejudice and violence.

For more details on this case, see the report below.