Locked door in Ajike Owens shooting at center of testimony in Susan Lorincz manslaughter trial – Finger Lakes Daily News

(NEW YORK) — The state concluded its prosecution Wednesday afternoon after the second day of testimony in the trial of Susan Lorincz, the Florida woman accused of shooting her neighbor Ajike “AJ” Owens through a locked door.

The defense began presenting its witnesses on Wednesday afternoon. Among them could be two of Owens' sons, 13-year-old Isaac and 10-year-old Israel, who witnessed the shooting of his mother.

Owens family attorney Anthony Thomas told ABC News on Wednesday that while prosecutors have decided not to call the boys as witnesses, it is unclear whether the defense will call them to the stand.

Owens' mother, Pamela Dias, spoke at a press conference Wednesday morning, saying she wished her grandchildren “didn't have to testify, but it's what it takes to get justice and that's what we have to do.”

“[Lorincz] killed my daughter; that alone is hurtful. But also the fact that one of [my grandchildren] could have been hurt or killed is beyond any emotion or feeling that can truly be expressed,” Dias added. “She has no respect for human life, let alone my family.”

According to a June 6, 2023, statement from the Marion County Sheriff's Office (MCSO), Lorincz shot Owens, a black mother of four, through a closed door in the presence of her now 10-year-old son after she tried to speak with Lorincz about an argument about Owens' children playing near their home. Lorincz called 911 after fatally shooting Owens and admitted to the shooting.

Lorincz, who is white, was arrested on June 6, 2023, and charged with first-degree manslaughter for shooting Owens on June 2, 2023, in Ocala, Florida. She pleaded not guilty on July 10, 2023, and was held on $150,000 bail. If convicted, Lorincz faces up to 30 years in prison, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

Those called as witnesses by the prosecution included numerous neighbors, including two children, sheriff's deputies, a 911 dispatcher, crime scene investigators and forensic scientists.

A focus of the state's argument over the past two days has been the first 911 call Lorincz made on June 2, 2023, to report “trespassing” – minutes before she ultimately shot Owens. According to witness testimony, including sheriff's deputies who responded to the shooting, police officers were already on their way to Lorincz's home when the shooting occurred because she had called 911 to report that three children – one Latino and two Black – were “trespassing” on her property.

Troy Gann, a 911 dispatcher, said Tuesday he received a call from Lorincz, who reported children “harassing” her and “trespassing” on her property. Deputies were then dispatched to her home.

Michael Stringer, a patrol officer with the Marion County Sheriff's Office, testified Tuesday that after receiving a call about a domestic disturbance at Lorincz's home, he and a deputy in training were “immediately” dispatched to her home, which was 10 to 15 minutes away, but on the way there, the call was upgraded to a shooting.

He described seeing the victim (Owens) lying on the ground and how he arrested Lorincz, who was inside her home at the time of their arrival. When asked if he saw any weapons on or near Owens, he said, “No.”

During opening arguments on Tuesday, the defense argued that Lorincz acted in self-defense out of fear for her life, while prosecutors emphasized that Owens was “unarmed” and was shot through a “locked” door.

“The death of AJ Owens is a tragedy. There is no doubt about that, but the evidence shows that in her mind, in her soul, in her core, Susan Lorincz felt she had no choice,” said public defender Morris Carranza. “It was either Susan or AJ. Susan chose to defend herself.”

The defense claimed Owens told Lorincz she would “kill” her, while prosecutors told jurors in their opening statements that they would hear from witnesses who were present at the confrontation who would dispute that claim.

While the defense claimed Owens tried to “break down” Lorincz's front door, the state called Lorincz's former landlord, Charles Gabbard, to the witness stand on Tuesday.

Gabbard testified that he had repaired a jam on Lorincz's front door before the shooting. He said her door was “structurally sound” after the repair, despite some cosmetic damage. He said the door was sturdy and had a chain, deadbolt and lock.

During cross-examination, Gabbard said Lorincz did not tell him how the door was damaged, but it was “clear that someone slammed the door.” He said he planned to replace Lorincz's door at some point after it was repaired. When asked by Lorincz's attorney, Carranza, if the crack in the door was “significant,” Gabbard said, “Yes.”

On Wednesday, the jury was shown the previously released interrogation video of Lorincz's arrest, in which she claims Owens tried to “break into” her home. Much of the testimony and cross-examination focused on Lorincz shooting Owens through a locked door, with questions raised about the stability of the door.

Judge Robert W. Hodges of Florida's 5th Judicial District, who is presiding over the case, said Monday that the trial is expected to be completed by Friday.

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