MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A jury was seated Monday in the Susan Lorincz trial.
Lorincz, 60, is accused of shooting and killing her neighbor, 35-year-old AJ Owens, last June.
The jury was warned not to read any news stories about the case and instructed to return to court Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. for opening statements.
According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Owens, a mother of four, was shot through Lorincz’s front door after she approached the home to confront Lorincz over throwing a pair of roller skates at her kids. Owens’ children, all under the age of 13 at the time of the shooting, were at the scene when deputies arrived.
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Thomas said they plan to have Owens’ children testify.
“They miss their mother,” Thomas said. “You know they would much rather have their mother here today than to be in a situation like this. But yes, the children are testifying. They were the eyewitnesses to their mother’s murder and so that is certainly key evidence in this case to help prosecute Susan.”
While the state will prosecute Susan Lorincz, Thomas will be present in the courtroom with the family guiding them through the process.
Lorincz is claiming self-defense in this case, saying she was in fear for her life.
“We are locked in solidarity and staying positive that this is going to be an outcome where as we get a conviction of guilty,” Thomas said.
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