Live updates in Ocala, Florida. Conviction for murder in a neighborhood

In August, a jury found Susan Lorincz guilty of manslaughter with a weapon in the shooting death of her neighbor Ajike “AJ” Shantrell Owens. Sentencing is scheduled for today, Nov. 25, in Circuit Judge Robert Hodges’ courtroom.

Lorincz faces between 11.5 and 30 years in prison. Owens’ family asked the judge to impose the maximum sentence. “We believe that standing on the right side of history requires holding those who commit racial violence fully accountable for their actions,” the family said in a statement released earlier this month. Lorincz is white and Owens was black.

The defense asked the judge not only for the minimum, but also for an even lower amount. In a court filing, the defense said such a “downward deviation” was appropriate because Lorincz “requires specialized treatment for a mental disorder that is not related to substance abuse or dependence, or for a physical disability” and is “amenable to treatment”. The defense also notes that “(The) victim was the initiator, willing participant, aggressor or provocateur of the incident” and that Lorincz “acted under extreme duress or domination of another person” .

Stay tuned here for live updates on the sentencing hearing, which is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m.

Pamela Dias addresses the court. She said she was now “a mere shell of the person I once was” and was consumed by grief.

—Jim Ross

Among the witnesses the defense plans to call today are the defendant’s sister, Ellyn Lorincz, and psychologist Dr. Yenys Castillo.

—Austin L. Miller

One of Lorincz’s attorneys, Amanda Sizemore, is now in the courtroom, as are prosecutors Adam Smith and Rich Buxman. Owens’ mother came into the courtroom with two friends and attorney Anthony Thomas, who is representing her family.

—Austin L. Miller

The sentencing hearing is still scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. By 1:15 p.m., bailiffs were preparing Judge Hodges’ courtroom and members of the media were taking their positions.

—Austin L. Miller

On June 2, 2023, Lorincz shot Owens as Owens knocked on Lorincz’s front door. Owens wanted to discuss how Lorincz had treated his children. The front door was closed and locked. Lorincz fired the gun from inside his home, through the closed door.

Earlier, Lorincz had chastised Owens’ children for making too much noise and playing in what Lorincz called an unauthorized area of their neighborhood. Lorincz had been accused of using racist slurs while addressing children, although she denied it.

(This story has been updated to add new information)