Closing arguments are set to take place on Friday in the trial of a White woman accused of fatally shooting an unarmed Black mother in central Florida. The incident occurred during an ongoing dispute over children playing near the defendant's home.
The defendant, Susan Lorincz, 60, is facing charges of manslaughter with a firearm and could potentially receive up to 30 years in prison if convicted. Lorincz has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During the trial, expert witnesses testified about ballistics and police training, shedding light on Lorincz's state of mind at the time of the shooting. The defense rested its case after presenting this evidence.
In a letter read to the court by the lead investigator, Lorincz expressed remorse to the victim's children, stating that she never intended to kill their mother and acted out of fear for her own life.
Outside the courthouse, the victim's mother, Pamala Dias, described the trial as emotionally challenging, expressing her pain and anguish over the loss of her daughter.
In her initial police interrogation video shown to jurors, Lorincz recounted a history of disputes with the victim over noise and children playing near her residence. She claimed that the situation escalated on the day of the shooting when the victim allegedly threatened her.
Lorincz told detectives that she felt threatened by the victim's actions and believed she had no choice but to use lethal force in self-defense.
The jury will receive instructions from the judge before beginning deliberations to determine whether Lorincz's actions were justified under the state's self-defense laws.
