MARION COUNTY, Fla. — Ocala resident Susan Lorincz will receive her sentence Monday, Nov. 25, after a jury found her guilty of manslaughter in August for the 2023 fatal shooting of her neighbor, Ajike “Aj” Owens.
Lorincz could face up to 30 years in prison.
Lorincz was accused of fatally shooting Owens through her front door on June 2, 2023, following an argument between the neighbors over Owens’ children.
Officials said it was an ongoing dispute centered on where Owens’ four children played. Prosecutors said Owens started pounding on Lorincz’s door after she threw roller skates and an umbrella at the children.
While the defense argued self-defense, prosecutors argued that there was no evidence to support that Lorenz’s life was in immediate danger.
While she could face 30 years in prison, criminal defense attorney Jonathan Rose said there is no guarantee she will serve that much time. However, he does not believe she will be let off easy either.
“I think what you can expect is for her to be sentenced, you know, somewhere between probably 15 to 30 years. I think it’s extremely unlikely that she’ll be sentenced under whatever that presumptive minimum is. I’d say it’s next to impossible that she’ll be sentenced to a probationary sentence, even though she’s 60 years old,” he said.
Rose also shared that while the judge will most likely come into the sentencing hearing with an idea of what kind of time Lorincz will face, there will be several things to consider that may also play a role in that final decision.