Ajike Owens’ family is ‘disappointed’ by lack of murder charge in Ocala killing, lawyers say

The family of Ajike “A.J.” Owens was “disappointed” to learn that her killer has been charged with manslaughter rather than murder, attorneys for Owens’ loved ones said Tuesday, adding that their focus will shift to ensuring prosecutors win a conviction.

Susan Lorincz, Owens’ white, 58-year-old neighbor, faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of manslaughter for shooting Owens, a Black 35-year-old mother of four, during a confrontation June 2 in Ocala.

“We want our time during the sentencing hearing to let [Circuit] Judge [Robert] Hodges know that Susan deserves all 30 years of that 30year maximum sentence,” Anthony Thomas, an attorney for the family, said during an online press conference Tuesday.

Ben Crump, the famed civil-rights attorney also representing the family, said the case is an example of unequal justice. The family, he said, believes that “if the roles were reversed that A.J. would have been charged with murder, and it’s as simple as that.”

“I would say that the family, like many people across America, thinks that there are double standards being applied,” Crump said. “… That’s why people are so outraged, when they think about the fact that a person can shoot somebody through a locked metal door after calling their children racial epithets and not be charged with murder.”

Owens went to Lorincz’s apartment to confront her about Lorincz shouting and throwing a roller skate at Owens’ children. Authorities say Lorincz opened fire at Owens from behind the front door.

Citing Lorincz’s selfdefense claim and Florida’s controversial “stand your ground” law, Marion County authorities waited four days — amid growing public outrage that attracted national headlines — before arresting Lorincz on manslaughter and other charges.