Susan Lorincz Pleads Not Guilty in the Shooting Death of Her Neighbor Ajike Owens

Originally posted July 11th, 2023

Susan Lorincz, the white woman who shot and killed her Black neighbor, Ajike Owens, has waived an arraignment and pleaded not guilty.

On June 2nd, Owens approached Lorincz’s door after tracking her children’s lost iPad to the address. Lorincz shot Owens through the door.

Lorincz was arrested and charged with first-degree manslaughter, culpable negligence, and assault, in Owens’ death.

If convicted, Lorincz could spend 30 years behind bars. However, Owens’ family had been pushing for a second-degree murder charge.

Lorincz has claimed she acted in self-defense, but detectives determined her actions did not legally qualify as such.

Lorincz pre-trial is expected to begin in early November. Meanwhile, Owens leaves behind four young children.

Should this case be manslaughter or murder? What do you think Lorincz’s defense will be if she can’t claim self-defense?