Susan Lorincz and the Stand Your Ground Claim
Susan Lorincz invoked Florida’s stand your ground law after a 2023 shooting incident in Ocala. She shot and killed AJ Delke, a deputy, during an encounter at her home. Lorincz claimed she feared for her life and acted in self-defense under the state’s no duty to retreat statute.
Stand Your Ground Law Basics
Florida’s stand your ground law removes the duty to retreat before using force in self-defense if a person is lawfully present and reasonably believes force is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm. The law applies to violent felonies and certain home intrusions, and it can be raised during pretrial hearings or trial.
Case Outcome and Legal Context
Lorincz was charged with manslaughter and attempted murder. The case drew attention to how stand your ground defenses are evaluated in fatal encounters involving law enforcement. A judge ultimately denied stand your ground immunity, and the case proceeded to trial, where a jury convicted Lorincz. For background on Florida’s self-defense statutes, see Florida Statute 776.013.
