MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A Marion County woman accused of fatally shooting her neighbor last year was back in court Thursday morning, where a judge rebuffed her request for a speedy trial.
Susan Lorincz, 59, faces a charge of manslaughter after prosecutors said she shot Ajike Owens, a 35-year-old Ocala mother of four, on June 2 following a monthslong dispute over where children were playing outside.
Lorincz was originally set to stand trial in November, but the defense saw her case pushed back to June after asking for more time to schedule depositions. Still, court records show that a hearing was scheduled earlier this week for 10:30 a.m. Thursday to take up Lorincz’s demand for a speedy trial.
As it was discussed in court Thursday, Lorincz had personally written a letter to the judge instead of filing a proper motion. Lorincz claimed she was not getting proper care in jail and was suffering medical issues. After her attorney said she was not yet ready for trial and did not recommend a speedy one, the judge agreed, telling Lorincz to listen to her legal council. She could technically still file for a speedy trial after this, however.
Pre-trial activities remain set for June.
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Owens was fatally shot through a locked door that she had approached to confront her neighbor, reportedly after Lorincz threw a pair of skates at her child, according to investigators.
Body-worn camera video that begins moments after deputies arrived to the 1600 block of SW 108th Lane shows a chaotic scene. Lorincz was placed in handcuffs and a voice out of frame can be heard telling Owens to wake up.
Deputies said that the two had several altercations before the shooting occurred, with neighbors claiming Lorincz would often insult and lob slurs at children for playing in a common area that she believed to be hers.
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