OCALA, Fla. — Day one has concluded in the trial of an Ocala woman accused of shooting and killing her neighbor and mother of four, Ajike “Aj” Owens, through the front door.

Susan Lorincz faces charges of manslaughter and culpable negligence in the death of Owens.  

What You Need To Know

  • Opening statements were held Tuesday in the trial of an Ocala woman accused of shooting and killing her neighbor Ajike "Aj" Owens

  • Susan Lorincz is charged with manslaughter in the death of Owens
  • Last year, Lorincz reportedly told investigators she had problems for two years with being disrespected by neighborhood children, including Owens’ children 

The court seated a jury in the trial Monday evening and the judge gave them instructions on Tuesday ahead of opening statements.

“This case, I’ll tell you, has had some pretrial publicity in the past,” Judge Robert Hodges said. “So, the first thing we’re going to do is make sure that if you have heard anything about this case, that you can set aside anything you’ve heard so you can hear this case fairly without any sort of improper influence.” 

According to a Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Lorincz told detectives she had a headache the day of the shooting, and children were running and yelling outside of her apartment. 

That night, while a few children were playing basketball, the report said Lorincz threw a pair of roller skates at them, hitting one child.

When Owens came over and knocked on Lorincz’s door, Lorincz told investigators that Owens threatened to kill her and banged on the door so hard she feared she’d break it down.

Lorincz fired a single shot through the closed door, and her neighbor was killed, according to authorities.

During opening statements, prosecutor Adam Smith said this is a case about Lorincz killing her un-armed neighbor.

“Ajike doesn’t go for the door handle, doesn’t try to break into the room of Mrs. Lorincz, but yet there is still a gunshot that strikes un-armed Ajike Owens,” he said.

On the other side, Lorincz’s defense attorney, Morris Carranza, described her client as being in “mortal danger.”

“Evidence will show she shot that door in self defense because she was terrified of Aj Owens," Carranza said. "That she was going to break down that door."

The 911 call made by Lorincz shortly after the incident was also played to the jury in court Tuesday.

“Yes, yes, she was yelling, trying to break down my door,” said Lorincz in the 911 call. “I didn’t know what to do. I got my gun and shot at the door.”

In a video released by the Sheriff’s Office, Lorincz told investigators she had problems of being disrespected by children in the neighborhood — including Owens’ four children — for two years.

Officials say Owens’ children were 12, 9, 7 and 3 at the time of the fatal shooting.

During testimony, a deputy spoke of prior responses to calls from Lorincz, including an alleged altercation with Owens.

“She advised she was battered by her neighbor and hit with a no trespass sign,” said Marion County Sheriff's deputy Jonathan Coleman.

Neighbors also spoke of what they heard the night of Owens’ death.

“I heard a ‘pop’ ... people screaming,” said Yvonne Costa.

Another neighbor testified they heard “kids crying” and exclaiming, “My mom, my mom, my mom,” through their tears.

If found guilty, Lorincz could face up to 30 years in prison.

The second full day of the trial begins Wednesday morning.