In a dramatic conclusion to a racially charged case, a white Florida woman, Susan Lorincz, was convicted of manslaughter by an all-white jury on Friday. The decision came after the jury dismissed Lorincz's claims of self-defense in the fatal shooting of her Black neighbor, 35-year-old Ajike "A.J." Owens. The shooting occurred on June 2, 2023, during an ongoing dispute over children playing outside Lorincz's home.

After 2 1/2 hours of deliberation, the jury unanimously found Lorincz guilty of manslaughter. She now faces up to 30 years in prison when she is sentenced. Lorincz had argued that she feared for her life when Owens aggressively approached her door, and she fired a single shot through the metal door with a.380-caliber handgun.

Throughout the trial, the prosecution argued that there was no evidence of an imminent physical threat posed by Owens towards Lorincz. Prosecutor Rich Buxman emphasized that banging on someone's door and yelling were not criminal acts, and there was no justification for Lorincz to fire her weapon.

Lorincz's defense team, however, maintained that she acted out of legitimate fear and in accordance with Florida's "stand your ground" law. They highlighted previous confrontations between Lorincz and Owens, as well as the significant size and younger age of Owens compared to Lorincz.

The victim's family, who had been present throughout the trial, responded emotionally to the guilty verdict. Lorincz, on the other hand, displayed no visible reaction. Circuit Judge Robert W. Hodges did not immediately set a sentencing date but ordered a background report on Lorincz.

Anthony Thomas, the attorney representing Owens' family, stated that they would seek the maximum 30-year prison term for Lorincz. Owens' mother, Pamela Dias, expressed some solace in the verdict, describing it as justice for her daughter. She also acknowledged the arduous journey to reach this stage and found peace in the outcome.

State Attorney William Gladson, whose office handled the case, described it as a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of gun violence. He emphasized that while the verdict cannot bring Owens back, he hopes it provides some measure of justice and peace for her family and friends.

The trial also drew attention to the absence of any Black jurors, which surprised Owens' family and the Black community. The case had been marked by protests, with critics questioning the delay in charging Lorincz and the decision to pursue a manslaughter charge instead of second-degree murder.

As the trial came to a close, Lorincz's fate was sealed. Her conviction sends a strong message about the necessity for accountability when it comes to using lethal force. With sentencing still pending, the case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences that can arise from ongoing disputes and the tragic loss suffered by Owens' four young children, who are left without their mother.