Day 4 begins in the trial of Susan Lorincz, who is accused in the death of a Marion County mother

MARION COUNTY, Florida. – After three days, the trial of Susan Lorincz is scheduled to resume Friday afternoon, more than a year after she shot and killed Ajike “AJ” Owens in Florida last year.

Lorincz, 60, told Marion County District Judge Robert W. Hodges on Thursday that she decided not to testify after consulting with her attorneys and that she was not forced to make this decision.

“I will not testify,” Lorincz said.

“Did you make this decision freely and voluntarily?” asked the judge.

“Yes, I did,” she replied.

The defense concluded its examination after calling three ballistics and crime scene experts.

The public prosecutor closed its case on Wednesday.

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Lorincz faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of shooting her 35-year-old neighbor Owens in June 2023.

The two had a long-running argument over Owens' children – she was a mother of four – who were playing boisterously near Lorincz's house. On the night she was shot, Owens had banged on Lorincz's door and screamed loudly after Lorincz allegedly threw roller skates and an umbrella at the children, according to witness testimony. Lorincz fired a shot from her .380 pistol through the door, hitting Owens in the chest and killing her.

Just before court broke for lunch on Wednesday, the jury saw detectives questioning Lorincz about the shooting to find out why she fired the gun.

Opening arguments were made Tuesday and the jury was presented with evidence including a gun that prosecutors say was used to kill Owens and items found in and around Owens' neighbor's home.

Jurors saw measurements taken inside Lorincz's home, which prosecutors say proves she wasn't in her kitchen when she pulled the trigger.

The defense also played her 911 call, saying it showed how much she feared for her life. The state pointed to later statements made by Lorincz during questioning after the shooting.

“Was your goal to shoot and kill her?” asked a detective.

“No,” she replied.

“What was your goal?”

“To shoot, and hopefully she hears the shot and dissolves,” she said.

Owens' children were originally expected to testify, including one of her sons who was standing next to her when she died.

However, the defense chose not to call their children to the witness stand.

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