Nationwide — Susan Lorincz, a white girl from Marion County, Florida, was sentenced to 25 years in jail for fatally taking pictures her Black neighbor and a mom of 4, Ajike “AJ” Owens, in 2023. The incident sparked nationwide outrage over racism and gun violence.
Based on The New York Instances, Lorincz, who’s 60 years previous, shot 35-year-old Owens from inside her house after Owens went to confront her about how Lorincz handled her youngsters, who had been taking part in exterior their house. Owens was shot by Lorincz’s locked entrance door, with the bullet hanging her chest.
Lorincz claimed she acted in self-defense, however there was no weapon discovered on Owens. The jury rejected Lorincz’s declare, and Choose Robert Hodges known as the taking pictures “completely pointless,” noting that Lorincz had time to contact authorities and wasn’t in quick hazard.
“The taking pictures, I discover, was based mostly extra in anger than in worry,” Choose Hodges mentioned.
In the course of the trial, Lorincz’s protection cited Florida’s “Stand Your Floor” legislation, which permits the usage of lethal pressure if somebody feels threatened. The jury, nonetheless, deliberated for simply half-hour earlier than convicting her of manslaughter.
Owens’ household, together with the state, pushed for the utmost sentence, emphasizing the gravity of the crime.
“Ajike was a beloved mom, daughter, and pal whose life was tragically minimize brief,” Owens’ mom, Pamela Dias, mentioned in a press release. “Whereas no end result can deliver again our Ajike, we’re grateful for the continued assist that has fortified us in our seek for justice.”
