Woman, upset about AJ Owens case, accused of threatening to shoot Ocala state attorney
Editor's note: This story was updated at 4:30 p.m. June 23 to include a statement from the Marion County chapter of the NAACP.
A Gainesville woman has been arrested and accused of threatening to shoot Ocala-based State Attorney Bill Gladson if he does not upgrade the criminal charge against Susan Louise Lorincz, the woman who fatally shot Ajike "AJ" Shantrell Owens earlier this month.
Regina A. Pines, 31, was taken into custody at a Gainesville residence early Friday on charges of corruption by threat against a public servant and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
The arrest report says Pines should be held without bail because of the seriousness of the threat and the high-profile nature of the Owens case.
The arrest report
On Thursday, Ocala Police Department Detective Zach Boyer spoke with an employee at the Marion County Judicial Center about the reported threat. The employee, a woman, told the detective that her office had received numerous phone calls from people who want Gladson to upgrade Lorincz's charge from manslaughter with a firearm to murder.
The woman said one caller, who identified herself as Pines, demanded to speak with Gladson about the charging decision. When told she could not speak to the state attorney, Pines suggested that the State Attorney's Office does not care about Black people. Pines then made a comment about shooting Gladson, according to the arrest report.
Boyer was able to trace the number to Pines. A Gainesville Police Department officer was sent to Pines' residence, but she was not there. Officials said there was an eviction notice on the woman's door.
Pines was eventually located in Gainesville and arrested.
SA Bill Gladson's statement
Gladson said: "It's unfortunate that people who have an agenda have inserted themselves in our community. It's not productive and it doesn't serve the interest of the surviving members of the family. It doesn't serve the interest of the case because it creates a distraction. No amount of threats or complaints are going to impact our decisions that will be based on the facts and the law."
He also said, "From the beginning, I've been transparent and continue to be transparent. I have a strong relationship with the community. I've been communicating with the NAACP and our relationship is strong and that's not going to change."
As for a decision on whether the charge will remain the same or be upgraded, Gladson said, "When we make a decision, it will be based on the law and the facts and I'll be fully prepared to explain my decision."
Statement from the NAACP
Marion County NAACP President Bishop James David Stockton III said, "Even though there has been a good relationship with the SAO prior to this case, our position and presumption has always been that the murder of AJ Owens will be charged and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, murder two being what we understood the highest charge applicable."
Stockton added, "That's our position and desire because we want justice for AJ, her community, and especially her children."
Owens' death
Owens, a single mother of three sons and a daughter, ages 3-12, was shot and killed in her Ocala neighborhood by her neighbor, Lorincz, on June 2.
Lorincz, who is white, is accused of yelling at Owens' children, using racial slurs, and throwing skates at them. They told their mother. Owens, who was Black, went to confront her neighbor at her home. Lorincz fired a gun through the closed front door, striking Owens in the chest. Her children witnessed the shooting. Owens later died at a local hospital. She was 35.
The 58-year-old shooter has claimed self-defense. She's charged with manslaughter with a firearm, culpable negligence, two counts of assault, and battery.
Lorincz is represented by the Public Defender's Office and is presently at the Marion County Jail, with bail set at $154,000.
Upgrade the charge?
Owens' death has trigged protests, rallies, prayer vigils and calls for the SAO to up the charge against Lorincz.
Marion County Sheriff's Office officials said Lorincz could not be arrested at the time of the shooting because, by law, they had to prove her action was not justified under Florida's stand your ground doctrine. Once detectives concluded their initial investigation, Lorincz was arrested on the manslaughter charge. Community members and civil rights leaders have called for Lorincz to be charged with second-degree murder.
Picking up the pieces: Ocala community looks for normalcy following Owens tragedy
Protestors marched to Gladson's office demanding answers. Gladson came outside and spoke to the protesters.
At Owens' funeral, approximately 1,000 people were in attendance and the Rev. Al Sharpton delivered the eulogy.
Noted civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump and Ocala native Anthony D. Edwards, another lawyer, are representing the Owens family.
Lorincz's next court hearing is her arraignment. At that time, she will know the exact charges filed by the SAO.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Gainesville woman charged with threatening Ocala state attorney
