Indiana Woman Sentenced to Life for Brutal Murder of West Virginia Friend Over $50 Watch

Justice has finally caught up with an Indiana couple who viciously murdered a West Virginia woman—once considered a friend—all over a $50 watch.

On Tuesday, February 2025, Amanda Don Soultz, 32, was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years for her role in the brutal beating and shooting death of Michelle Ann Smith in February 2023.

The Shocking Crime

According to court records, Smith was lured by Soultz and her partner to a secluded area, where she was savagely beaten and then shot to death. The couple reportedly targeted Smith over a dispute involving a $50 watch—a petty argument that turned deadly.

Authorities described the murder as “senseless” and “brutal,” highlighting the betrayal of trust between the victim and her attackers.

Legal Proceedings and Guilty Plea

In December 2024, Soultz pleaded guilty to first-degree murder as part of a plea deal that granted her a chance at parole after 15 years. This agreement was approved by Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Paul M. Blake, Jr., ensuring that she would serve a significant portion of her life behind bars.

While Soultz’s co-defendant—whose identity has not been disclosed in this sentencing—awaits trial, the court has made it clear that both individuals will face severe consequences for their heinous crime.

Community Outrage and Justice for Michelle Ann Smith

The case has sparked widespread outrage, with many condemning the ruthlessness of the murder over such a trivial dispute. Smith’s family has spoken out about the devastating loss, describing her as a kind and trusting person who didn’t deserve such a cruel fate.

While the sentencing brings a measure of closure, the memory of Michelle Ann Smith will continue to live on as a tragic reminder of betrayal, greed, and violence.