Woman found guilty of felony murder in deadly 2025 Holts Summit shooting
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Holts Summit woman has been found guilty of felony murder in the 2025 shooting death of 37-year-old Kara Dills.
Heather Smith, 38, was found guilty by a jury on Thursday of second-degree murder, known as felony murder. The jury also turned in a guilty verdict for three counts of unlawful use of a weapon and a count of armed criminal action. She will be sentenced 9 a.m. Friday.
Prosecutors began their closing arguments around 4:30 p.m. in trial against Heather Smith. Each side will get an hour to deliver their remarks to the jury before the 12-person panel considers a verdict. The trial is in its fourth day at the Boone County Courthouse.
Smith took the stand in her own defense Wednesday. She is charged with second-degree murder, child endangerment, armed criminal action and three counts of unlawful use of a weapon. Smith is accused of shooting and killing 37-year-old Kara Dills at Hunter Lane Apartments in April 2025.
Thursday, Smith's attorney Edward Luby argued his client shot Dills out of self-defense. During his closing statements, he emphasised Smith's injuries leading up to the shooting and showed video and evidence.
The state's attorney, Sandra Colhour, asked the jury to consider witness consistencies.
"Some of those defense witnesses had notably fluctuating stories," Colhour said. "In fact, some of them told entirely new stories."
The 38-year-old suspect took the stand Wednesday, arguing her actions were taken in self-defense.
Smith allegedly shot Dills after their children got into an altercation while riding bikes in the apartment complex. Allegedly, Smith confronted Dills twice before the shooting, with Dills' sister allegedly confronting Smith in between.
Several witnesses alleged on Tuesday 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 allegedly fired a shot into Dills' stomach, ultimately killing her.
Dills' boyfriend, Aireon Terrill, and her sister and nephew were present during the main confrontation before the shooting. Dills' nephew allegedly tried to disarm Smith but wasn't able to.
Smith alleged Dills shoved her during the argument as well. Smith said she pointed her gun at Dills' boyfriend because she felt threatened. Video surveillance shows Smith threatening witnesses with a pistol.
Some of Dills' family members agreed that Dills shoved Smith, but they also argue that Smith pointed the gun at other people.
Terrill said he was trying to deescalate the situation.
The case was moved from Callaway County to Boone County for the trial.
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