Susan Lorincz's full sentencing statement after killing Ajike Owens revealed
The 60-year-old denied that she was racist, saying she performed with Black singers in New York, and claimed that Ajike's son, Israel, called her a 'worthless old lady'
The Perfect Neighbor's Susan Lorincz was convicted of killing Ajike Owens after shooting her through her front door.
The 60-year-old fatally shot Ajike after the 35-year-old went over to her house to retrieve her son's tablet, which Susan had confiscated. Ajike was killed in front of her children, in a devastating scene shown to viewers in Netflix's latest hit documentary.
After Susan shot Ajike, she was questioned by police, who determined that, despite the killer's thoughts, she would not be covered by the stand-your-ground law. This meant Susan could be arrested and charged with causing Ajike's death. The Florida native was then convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 25 years in jail.
During her sentencing, she provided a statement to the court, as she attempted to get leniency for her crime.
"Good afternoon," Susan started," I'm making a statement so you understand my actions and my reasoning on the night of the shooting.
"My medical disabilities. I've had 25 knee surgeries on my right knee and ended up having multiple replacements and then a catastrophic failure due to an allergy. I went back to have another replacement, and I was burned during surgery, so I had gotten very ill, and my knee literally goes backwards."
Continuing, she told the judge that she had a laminectomy, a procedure that removes part of the spine's vertebrae, following a road traffic collision five years prior, adding that the doctors "didn't know if I would walk again."
Susan further explained to the court that due to her nerve damage, she had several falls, which caused her frequent neck pain and migraines. Additionally, she alleged that she suffered from cataracts, heart issues, and high blood pressure.
Going on to detail her struggles with carpal tunnel syndrome, she said, "There is a reason I'm telling you all this."
Adding, "The first time I encountered Miss Owens was in February of 2022. I was about seven weeks after the neck fusion, and she basically attacked me, and she threw the sign at me. I didn't expect to be confronted like that, and I had a huge red scar on my neck at that point in time."
Susan then claimed she was "absolutely terrified" of Ajike after their first encounter. She also denied that the mother-of-four's children were within earshot of their conversation, calling Ajike's son Israel, "incredibly rude," after he allegedly said she was an "old lady who is worthless."
Speaking about the night Ajike died, she told the judge, "I also have an aneurysm on my left kidney artery, so I'm not supposed to be getting excited, I'm not supposed to have high blood pressure. This woman is terrorising me, I mean, she is absolutely terrorising me. If she hits me, she will kill me. Literally, she will kill me. I will bleed out internally. I'll will exsanguinate, so was I terrified absolutely."
Susan then alleged that she wasn't racist, claiming she sang with numerous Black celebrities in New York.
Talking to Ajike's family, Susan said, "To [Ajike's] mom, children, and friends, it is with a heavy heart and great remorse I write this letter to you. First and foremost, I am so sorry that I took [Ajike's] life. I never intended to kill her the night I shot the gun. I was confused as to why she was screaming and pounding on my door. I had an idea that Israel told her I had hit him. I could not understand why she was so angry, and she truly scared me.
"Now that I know he told her I hit him, I am just profoundly sad. Not only did a mother die, but a daughter and a sister. I think of your family's loss and know how hard it is to lose someone you love without being able to see that person, hug that person, or just talk to that person. I so wish I could go back and change things so that she was still here. I would trade my life so that she could be here if it were possible. I know that you have all suffered from her loss, and I have prayed for you and your family during this time so that God can help you.
"Nothing I can do will change the outcome. I can only tell you I have cried, and I feel horrible for my actions. Please accept my humble and sincere apology for this tragedy."
The Perfect Neighbor is now available to watch on Netflix.