Jury selection to begin in trial of Susan Lorincz for death of AJ Owens

Susan Lorenz being interrogated by law enforcement after the death of her neighbor, Ajike “AJ” Owens [Marion County Sheriff’s Office].

Jury selection will begin on Monday in the trial of Susan Lorincz, who was charged with manslaughter and assault after the shooting death of her neighbor Ajike “AJ” Owens in June 2023.

The trial will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 12 in Courtroom 3A of the Marion County Judicial Center. Circuit Judge Robert Hodges will preside over the trial. If found guilty, Lorincz faces up to 30 years in prison.

On June 2, 2023, Lorincz shot through her front door, killing Owens as she stood outside, according to the Fifth Circuit State Attorney’s Office.

Owens and Lorincz, who were neighbors in a Quail Run-area apartment complex, frequently got into altercations over the course of two years, often over Owens’ children playing in a grassy common area, according to 911 records and witness testimony.

The trial was originally scheduled for November 2023 but had been postponed after requests from Lorincz’ attorney, Assistant Public Defender Amanda Sizemore, that the defense have more time to review discovery and schedule depositions. In June, the defense’s motion was granted to exclude evidence related to accusations that Lorincz used racial slurs against Owens and her children. Lorincz is white, and Owens was a Black woman.

After State Attorney Bill Gladson filed the manslaughter charge against Lorincz after the shooting, the Owens family’s attorneys, Anthony Thomas and Benjamin Crump, expressed disappointment with the decision not to charge Lorincz with second-degree murder.