Judge sentenced Susan Lorincz to 25 years in prison for shooting AJ Owens to death

Inside AugustA jury found Susan Louise Lorincz guilty of manslaughter with a firearm in the shooting death of her neighbor, Ajike “AJ” Shantrell Owens, a single mother of four children.

Owens, 35, had gone to Lorincz’s home to confront him about Owens’ behavior toward his children. Lorincz, 60, fired from inside his home; He went through the closed, locked front door and hit Owens, who was standing on the other side.

The state’s sentencing guidelines called for a prison sentence of 11.5 to 30 years. Last month, one of Lorincz’s attorneys, Amanda Sizemore, filed a motion asking the judge to consider a downward departure from those rules.

Among the reasons cited: Lorincz “requires special treatment for a mental disorder or physical disability unrelated to substance abuse or addiction.”

The Owens family asked the court to impose the harshest sentence.

Deputy Public Defenders Sizemore, Frances Watson and Morris Carranza represented Lorincz at the hearing. Hodges presided over the case, while prosecutors Adam Smith and Rich Buxman handled the case for the state.

judge’s decision

At 1:30 p.m. Monday, three months after the jury returned its verdict, the state and defense gathered in court for an emotional 3 1/2 hour sentencing hearing.

Sizemore asked the judge to spare his client from prison and instead impose probation followed by treatment. He said Lorincz has 535 days of credit for time spent in the county jail while awaiting resolution of this case.

Prosecutor Smith told the judge Lorincz deserved a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. He said the woman’s post-traumatic stress disorder, described at length during the hearing, was not the impetus for her action.

The judge said Lorincz’s post-traumatic stress disorder, a result of past abuse, may qualify him for a downward departure from state sentencing guidelines. But he said he knew what he was doing on the day of the shooting and knew law enforcement was on the way.

The judge said Owens was not the attacker; Owens was knocking on the door and his intention was for Lorincz to come out. In the final analysis, he said, Lorincz is not fit for a fall.

Hodges said the crime was serious and that tremendous harm was done not only to Owens, but to his children and his entire family. The judge said Owens’ death will have an impact on the family for the rest of their lives. He said the attack was completely unnecessary and was motivated by anger rather than fear.

He eventually sentenced Lorincz to 25 years in prison.

What happened after the judge announced the sentence?

Lorincz’s sister, Ellyn Lorincz, and Pastor Shannon Harris, who sat in the front during the sentencing hearing, went to the back of the courtroom. Ellyn Lorincz was not happy with the sentence. Susan Lorincz shook her head, expressing her displeasure with the sentence.

Outside the courtroom, Anthony Thomas, an attorney representing the Owens family, said he hoped Lorincz’s sentence would make him realize his mistakes.

Pamela Dias, Owens’ mother and grandmother of her late daughter’s four children, said the sentence was the final act of her quest for justice. He said he was happy with the 25 years, saying his daughter’s death should never have happened.

He said now that they have the case behind them, they can concentrate on healing. Dias thanked Thomas; her daughter’s friends standing next to her; community; and media.

The children no longer have a mother, Dias said. Two of his grandchildren’s birthdays are coming up. He said they couldn’t celebrate with their mother. He said it would be difficult for them.

Related scope: Live updates: Susan Lorincz convicted of murdering neighbor Ajike “AJ” Owens

Lorincz apologized to Dias and his family before handing down the sentence. When asked what the apology was, Dias said it was Lorincz’s last move to save himself. He said Lorincz’s remorse was for himself. He recalled how Lorincz gave excuses to the court, listing his many medical problems before offering a lackluster apology. Dias said he had been waiting for this day for months.

As Thanksgiving approached, Dias told his grandchildren he was grateful for the verdict and sentence.

Reactions to the decision

State’s Attorney Bill Gladson said: “The outcome of this trial reflects our commitment to justice and the integrity of our legal system. While we recognize that many cases may attract differing opinions, our office will always focus on the facts and the law. This opinion is a testament to the hard work of our team and the integrity of our legal system to stand up for victims.” “It is a testament to our determination to get up.”

Gladson also said: “I heard a lot of excuses, but no meaningful apology or sympathy from the defendant. Such a sentence sends the message that senseless violence will be met with severe punishment. You will be held accountable.”

Sheriff Billy Woods said: “Today, the Honorable Judge Robert Hodges sentenced Susan Lorincz to 25 years in the Florida Department of Corrections. While the work of the judicial system cannot bring Ms. Owens back to those who love her, I hope it can help.” “I hope you will all join me in praying for Ms. Owens’ children and family members who continue to grieve her loss.”

Owens’ mother speaks to court

At the hearing, the prosecution and defense had the opportunity to present witnesses. The state’s only witness was Dias, who gave an emotional statement.

She said Lorincz took the life of her little girl’s hopes, dreams and future. She said her daughter’s children lost their mother. Dias said she often lies awake in bed wondering what her daughter’s final moments were like.

Since her daughter’s death, she said, she has become “just a shell of the person I once was.” His journey was filled with pain and sorrow. He said it wasn’t the same as before. Lorincz’s action took away his freedom.

Dias said she was a flight attendant but has now resigned. He said he was wasting time away from work because his grandchildren needed him. He said his life had changed drastically.

“I worry about them,” he said. “I see the pain in your eyes.”

He said his daughter’s untimely death left “a hole in our hearts that will never be mended.”

“Susan devastated our family,” Dias said, adding that the shooting left scars and trauma for life.

“Our pain and suffering will last a lifetime,” he said.

Defense witnesses

Six people, including Susan Lorincz, spoke on behalf of the defense. Defense attorney Carranza questioned the witnesses.

Michael and Crystal Maksou, a married couple, knew Lorincz from church. They describe her as someone who loves cooking and taking care of her family and friends. They said Lorincz was a hard-working and devoted Christian. They said he was not violent or aggressive and that the shooting was out of character for Lorincz.

Lorincz’s sister said many of his family members had mental health issues. She said she and her sister were verbally, emotionally and sexually abused by their father. Ellyn Lorincz said she also experiences mental health issues.

They said their father was cruel to them and others. She said her son was loved by his sister and they had a good time together.

Psychologist Dr. Yenys Castillo interviewed Lorincz and reviewed documents related to the case. He said Lorincz had PTSD as a result of multiple past traumas. He said that at the time of the confrontation, Lorincz was frightened, froze and then took action to protect himself.

While her friends saw her as a caring, kind and loving person, Lorincz saw these people as a safety net, she said.

Susan Lorincz told the judge she had multiple knee surgeries on her right knee and was very ill. He blamed Owens for the shooting and said the woman had terrorized him in previous encounters, once throwing a sign at him.

Lorincz denied making racial slurs to the children and told the judge the issue was not about race. He said he was sorry about the shooting and never planned for it to happen.

Sizemore said his client had lived a difficult life but had no criminal history. He said the attack was a simple incident and Lorincz was remorseful. Sizemore said Lorincz should be placed on probation so he can be treated for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Smith disagreed. He said Lorincz called 911 and told those who answered the call what happened that night. He knew law enforcement was on the way. He was cool enough to grab a gun and shoot through the closed, locked front door.

Background of the case

Owens was shot once in the right side of the chest with a .380-caliber handgun as he stood in front of the door. It was the night of June 2, 2023. The victim left behind four children, ages 4 to 13.

Owens, who is black, was knocking on the front door hoping to speak to Lorincz, who is white. Lorincz had previously scolded Owens’ children for making too much noise and playing in what Lorincz described as an unauthorized area of ​​their neighborhood.

Lorincz has been accused of using racial slurs when addressing children, but he has denied that charge in the past and did the same on Monday.

Lorincz said he acted in self-defense. He was not arrested immediately after the shooting. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation and then took him into custody on June 7.

Supporters of the victim’s family wanted prosecutors to charge Lorincz with second-degree murder. Rallies and protests were held to demand that prosecutors upgrade the charge.

A lighter sentence?: Here’s why Susan Lorincz, who was found guilty of her neighbor’s death, said she deserved a reduced sentence

But the State Attorney’s Office said the appropriate charge was involuntary manslaughter. Several other charges, including battery, were ultimately not pursued by the state.

Lorincz was on suicide watch at the Marion County Jail for a time. His situation changed and Lorincz was placed in protective custody. He will now go to state prison.

Contact Austin L. Miller at [email protected]

This article first appeared in the Ocala Star-Banner: Ocala, Florida woman sentenced to 25 years in prison for shooting her neighbor to death