Florida woman stands trial for fatally shooting neighbor through locked door
Manslaughter Trial of White Woman Who Killed Black Neighbor Takes Center Stage
In a highly-charged and emotionally draining trial in Florida, the defense is underway in the case of Susan Lawrence, a white woman accused of killing her black neighbor, 60-year-old AJ Owens. In June last year, Lawrence allegedly fired her gun through the door of her own home at Owens, a mother of four, following a dispute over Owen’s children.
The jury has now heard the forensics of the case, including testimony from experts who authenticated the 380-caliber handgun used in the shooting and confirmed that Owens died of a gunshot wound to the torso. The door between the two households, which showed a bullet hole from where the bullet entered, was also entered into evidence.
Lawrence’s defense, meanwhile, relies on the argument that she acted in fear for her life, stating that the repeated banging on the door by Owens sent her into a panic, with her house reportedly “shaking” due to the noise.
Testimony yesterday also included video recordings of interviews between Lawrence and police detectives, as well as a heartfelt letter written by Lawrence to Owens’s family, in which she apologized for Owens’s loss, stating that she acted out of fear. A 911 call also revealed Lawrence to be screaming and yelling while describing the encounter to dispatchers, further solidifying her defense.
“We have always believed that Susan’s actions on that day were based on her deep-seated fear, rooted in a reasonable concern for her life and the life of her children,” argued Lawrence’s attorney, “and she regrets what happened with all of her heart.”
Meanwhile, outside the courtroom today, AJ Owens’s mother conveyed her distress and frustration at what she feels was a lack of accountability on the part of the accused.
“Lawrence had no regard for life,” the distraught mother maintained, her eyes brimming with tears. “AJ’s kids are now parentless because of her actions… it’s hard for me to reconcile that I once thought someone could love us, but deep down inside, she was this kind of monster.”
Lawrence now faces charges of manslaughter, an offense punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Closing arguments in the case are expected to conclude by no later than Friday, and if convicted, may face decades of incarceration.
One key issue to be explored in the trial is the possible testimony from AJ Owens’s four children, currently aged 3 to 8, who are reportedly expected to testify in their mother’s memory.
