Susan Lorincz has been found guilty of manslaughter with a firearm for the fatal shooting of 35-year-old Ajike “AJ” Owens according to CNN. We gotta keep it a buck, we’re a little surprised that the all-white jury returned with this verdict so quickly. To say that we were nervous about “stand your ground” taking precedence over common sense and fairness is an understatement.
The guilty verdict means that Lorincz is facing 30 years in prison according to the office of State Attorney Bill Gladson although a sentencing date has been set as of yet.
“This has been a long journey to get to this day, to get to this verdict,” the victim’s mother, Pamela Dias, told reporters outside the Ocala courthouse.
“I am very pleased with the jury, the prosecution, the verdict … I find some peace with that verdict. I feel that although my daughter is gone forever, the children’s mom is gone forever, we’ve achieved some justice for Ajike. My heart is a little lighter and we’re now on the path to healing.”
While many are pleased with the verdict, justice has not yet been fully realized. Slapping Lorincz on the wrist or giving her a light sentence will not suffice. She needs to face the stiffest possible penalty, all thirty of those potential years.