Defense testimony to begin in Holts Summit murder trial

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The state was expected to finish up its witness testimony Wednesday in the jury trial for 38-year-old Heather Smith.

Smith is accused of the 2025 deadly shooting of 37-year-old Kara Dills at Hunter Lane Apartments in April 2025. She claims the shooting was in self-defense.

Smith faces charges of second-degree murder, child endangerment, armed criminal action and three counts of unlawful use of a weapon. The trial is being held in Columbia on a change of venue.

The shooting allegedly came after an altercation between children who were family members of Smith and Dills while riding bikes in the parking lot of the apartment. It's alleged that Smith, a resident of the apartments, confronted Dills' mother, who was also a resident, about their children before the shooting. Several witnesses on Tuesday accused Smith of flashing a gun in the waistband of her shorts at Dills' mother during this interaction.

When Dills arrived at the apartments to confront Smith in the parking lot, Dills allegedly pistol-whipped Smith during the confrontation and walked away. When Dills hit Smith, the gun went off, grazing a man on his head. Smith then allegedly shot Dills in the stomach, killing her.

Video surveillance showed Smith threatening witnesses with a pistol in the parking lot. Smith allegedly pointed the gun at both Dills and Dills' boyfriend in the parking lot before the shooting.