Holts Summit woman sentenced to 32 years in prison in murder case, victim’s family speaks out
FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Holts Summit woman convicted of murder in April was sentenced on Thursday to 32 years in prison.
Heather Smith was found guilty by a jury of second-degree murder, three counts of unlawful use of a weapon and a count of armed criminal action in the death of 37-year-old Kara Dills.
Smith will serve 25 years for her murder conviction and seven years for armed criminal action consecutively. Her unlawful use of a weapon charges run concurrently with her other charges.
Prosecutors argued for 41 years in prison identifying a lack of remorse from Smith for what she did. Smith's defense requested seriously reduced sentence alternatives citing the long-term impact on Smith's kids and her past traumas.
Kayla Abbott, Dill's sister, said the decision doesn't bring her best friend back.
"There was no winning," Abbott said. "I got justice for my sister, but not the justice she deserved."
MaLuanna Stokes, Dill's niece, was satisfied with a resolution in the case, but hoped for a longer sentence.
"I feel like since she took a life, she should have to do life," Stokes said. "She should have got the full 41 that they were requesting, but at least she got close to it."
Abbott said the death of Dills has had a profound affect on their family.
"When we lost Kara, our whole family fell apart. Heather took my sister and I still wouldn't wish what I'm going through on any of her family members," Abbott said.
Stokes called the thought of Smith one day being granted parole, or released, unfair.
"My cousins lost their mom forever and Heather will be released eventually," Stokes said. "They don't understand why their mom is not here."
In April 2025, police were called to the Hunter Lane Apartments, where Smith shot Dills after their children got into an altercation while riding bikes in the apartment complex, according to court documents.
Smith's attorney, Edward Luby, argued his client shot Dills in self-defense.
Allegedly, Smith confronted Dills twice before the shooting, with Dills' sister allegedly confronting Smith in between. Several witnesses alleged that Smith flashed a gun tucked into her waistband at Dills' mother during one of the confrontations.
On the day of the shooting, Dills allegedly pistol-whipped Smith and walked away. When the gun struck Smith, it went off and grazed a bystander's head. Smith then fired a shot into Dills' stomach, ultimately killing her.
Smith has 180 days to appeal her sentence. At the end of Thursday's hearing she expressed a lack of proper representation by her defense team. The judge said he did not find any probable cause of Smith's claims after watching trial and sentencing proceedings.
It's unclear yet if Smith's defense team will continue to represent her if she chooses to appeal.
