Callaway County murder trial delayed

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Holts Summit woman charged with a slew of felonies, including murder, for a shooting outside an apartment building will not go to trial this week.

Heather Smith's trial on child endangerment, unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action and second-degree murder charges had been scheduled to start Friday, but was pushed back at a hearing early this week.

Now the trial, being heard in Boone County on a change of venue, is scheduled to begin April 20.

Smith's next hearing is set for March 19.

Smith is accused of killing Kara Dills, 37. Court documents in previous reporting say the shooting started with an argument between Smith and Dills at Hunter Lane Apartments. The documents cite nine witnesses to the shooting.

Dills allegedly got a gun and pistol-whipped Smith on the forehead, documents say. The gun went off, grazing a man later identified as Thomas Jones, on his head, according to the probable cause statement. After Dills lowered her gun and started to walk away, Smith shot her in the stomach, the statement says.