🔗 Share this article

The true crime genre has a new medium, or perhaps even a completely fresh vocabulary and structure: police body cam footage. Countenances of those harmed, witnesses and possible perpetrators appear suddenly to the cameras, at times in the harsh glare of headlights or flashlights as the police arrive, their faces and voices eloquent of caution or panic or anger or suspiciously contrived innocence. And we frequently catch sight of the expressions of the officers themselves, one waiting impassively while the other asks the questions with what sometimes seems like extraordinary diffidence – though maybe this is because they are aware they are being recorded.

A Growing Trend in Non-Fiction Cinema

We have previously seen the Netflix real-life crime film The Gabby Petito Case, about the slaying of an social media personality by her boyfriend, whose main point of interest was body cam footage and in which, as in this film, the law enforcement seemed extraordinarily lax with the perpetrator. There is also the acclaimed short film Incident by Bill Morrison, composed entirely of officer footage. Now comes a new film by Geeta Gandbhir about the grim case of Ajike Owens in Ocala, Florida, a African American woman whose four young kids reportedly bothered and antagonized her white neighbour, a local resident. In 2023, after an increasing number of neighborhood conflicts in which the police were summoned multiple times, Lorincz fatally shot Owens through her locked door, when Owens went to Lorincz’s house to address her about throwing objects at her children.

The Investigation and State Laws

The investigating authorities found proof that the suspect had done internet searches into the state's self-defense statutes, which permit residents and others to use firearms if there is a reasonable belief of danger. The movie builds its story with the body cam footage captured during the repeated police visits to the scene before the shooting, and then at the disturbing and disordered incident site itself – prefaced by 911 audio material of Lorincz contacting authorities in a dramatically trembling voice. There is also jail video of the individual which has a chilly, queasy fascination.

Portrayal of the Accused

The film does not really suggest anything too complicated about Lorincz, or any mitigating factors. She is obviously disturbed, although the children are heard calling her “the Karen”, an ugly jibe. The film is showcased as an illustration of how self-defense regulations lead to unnecessary and heartbreaking violence. But the fact of gun ownership and the second amendment (that historic American constitutional privilege that a late commentator notoriously said made firearm fatalities a necessary cost) is not much highlighted.

Officer Questioning and Gun Culture

It is possible to watch the officer questioning segments here and feel astonished at how little interest the officers took in this aspect. At what time did she purchase the firearm? Where (if anywhere) did she train in its use? Was this the first time she discharged the weapon? Where did she store it in the house? Was it just on the couch, loaded and ready? The police aren’t shown asking any of these undoubtedly important questions (though they could have inquired in footage that were not included). Or is possessing a firearm so commonplace it would be like asking about kitchen appliances or toasters?

Detention and Consequences

For what appeared to her local residents a extended period, the suspect was not even arrested and charged, only detained and even offered a hotel stay away from home for the night (another parallel, incidentally, with the Gabby Petito case). And when she was finally officially taken into custody in the detention area, there is an remarkable scene in which the individual simply declines to rise, will not extend her arms for the cuffs, not aggressively, but with the courteously pathetic demeanor of someone whose mental health means that she just can’t do it. Did the gentle handling up until that point led her to think that this could be effective?

Final Outcome and Judgment

It was not successful; and the jury’s verdict is revealed in the closing credits. A very sombre portrayal of U.S. justice and consequences.