Jury deliberates sentence for Holts Summit woman convicted of murder
Alison Patton
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A jury was deciding Friday morning how much prison time a 38-year-old woman should face after being convicted on five criminal counts on Thursday, including felony murder.
Heather Smith was also found guilty of three counts of unlawful use of a weapon and a count of armed criminal action.
The prosecutor argued that Smith shot and killed 37-year-old Kara Dills at Hunter Lane Apartments in April 2025. Smith’s attorney tried to convince the 12-member jury that Smith shot Dills in self-defense.
The jury will decide how long she will spend in jail and how much she will be fined. Smith faces a max imprisonment of four years or a max fine of $10,000 for three counts of unlawful use of a weapon. The prosecuting attorney is asking for the maximum prison sentence.
The jury will also decide how long she will serve in prison for felony murder. The maximum sentence is life in prison. The prosecuting attorney asked the jury to consider a 25- to 30-year sentence.
Smith could also face up to 18 years in prison for armed criminal action. The prosecuting attorney is asking for seven years.
Smith’s attorney is asking for minimum sentences.
Both attorneys gave final statements and called a few witnesses up to the stand, including Dills’ daughter and mother.
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