A Florida jury convicted a 60-year-old woman of manslaughter for killing a neighbor in the midst of an ongoing dispute about the neighbor’s children playing outside.
The jury deliberated less than three hours before returning the guilty verdict, CBS News reported.
Susan Lorincz was initially charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Ajike “AJ” Owens on June 2, 2023, but that charge was dropped to manslaughter, as CrimeOnline previously reported. Owens knocked on Lorincz’s door to talk about threats she allegedly made to the children, and Lorincz, without opening the door, opened fire, killing the mom of four.
Lorincz claimed self-defense.
She faces a maximum of 30 years in prison, CBS reported. The judge has not set a sentencing date, and prosecutor Anthony Thomas said he would push for the maximum.
“The jury did their job today,” he said. “Now it’s up to Judge (Robert W.) Hodges to do his job in handing down the best sentence he can, which is the maximum penalty.”
Owens’ mother, Pamela Dias, said her “heart is a little lighter” after the verdict.
“This has been a long journey to get to this stage, to get to this verdict,” she said. “I find some peace with that verdict.”
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.
[Featured image: Ajike “AJ” Owens/Handout]