MARION COUNTY, Fla. — A judge decided Thursday that Susan Lorincz will remain in jail as she awaits trial on a manslaughter charge, in the death of her neighbor.

Lorincz is accused of firing shots through her front door that killed Ajike "AJ" Owens on June 2.


What You Need To Know

  • Deputies say Susan Lorincz got into a confrontation with Ajike "AJ" Owen's children and allegedly threw a roller skate at a child on June 2

  • According to the Marion County Sheriff's Office, when Owens went to Lorincz's door to confront her, she was shot 

  • Lorincz is accused of shooting her through the door and has claimed self-defense

  • Lorincz now faces a manslaughter charge, which Sheriff's Office officials say could result in up to 30 years in prison

  • A judge ruled Thursday that Lorincz will remain in jail while she awaits trial

  • RELATED: Calls for 'Justice for AJ' echoed during Ocala news conference

Lorincz, 58, tuned into her first court appearance virtually from the jail, which is standard in Marion County. From there, the judge informed her of the charges she is facing and advised her of her rights.

Lorincz has been charged with manslaughter, culpable negligence, batter and two counts of simple assault in the case.

The judge said there is enough evidence to hold Lorincz on the manslaughter charge, but noted that a bond hearing could be held in the future.

According to the Marion County Sheriff's Office, Lorincz claimed self-defense in the shooting. After interviewing witnesses, deputies said they believe the shooting was not justifiable under Florida's Stand Your Ground law.

"Stand Your Ground, you know, is a precarious thing because it leads people to say, 'Well, I can stand my ground. If someone is scaring me, I can use deadly force, I can shoot them'," said criminal defense attorney Jonathan Rose. "It's just not quite that simple."

The incident report from Friday states that Owen's children were playing in a field, and one child forgot their electronic tablet. According to the report, Lorincz picked up the tablet, and it's believed some sort of argument ensued between Lorincz and the children. During the argument, Lorincz allegedly threw something at the children.

According to deputies, someone told Owens about what happened, so she walked to Lorincz's door to confront her. They say it was then that the 35-year-old was shot.

According to court documents, Lorincz's next court date is July 11.