Susan Lorincz Manslaughter Trial Begins in Florida

The manslaughter trial of Susan Lorincz, accused of fatally shooting her Black neighbor Ajike 'AJ' Owens, has raised concerns due to the selection of an all-white jury. Lorincz allegedly shot Owens through a locked door after a confrontation stemming from accusations of racial insults and object throwing at Owens' children. During the trial, the prosecution argued that Owens posed no threat, while the defense claimed Lorincz acted in self-defense. The jury, consisting of six men and two women, was selected from a pool of 40 potential jurors, with three Black jurors dismissed for various reasons. Activists fear that the lack of diversity in the jury could influence the outcome of the trial, which could lead to Lorincz facing up to 30 years in prison if convicted. The trial is ongoing, and the testimonies of Owens' children are expected to play a crucial role in the proceedings.