Katherine E. Smith, 26, has avoided a lengthy prison sentence after pleading guilty to one count of home invasion in connection with the 2018 death of 19-year-old Dohndre Hughes.
Smith had originally been charged with first-degree murder but reached a plea deal that resulted in a 13-year sentence.
Smith had already spent nearly seven and a half years in pretrial detention, and with good behavior, she could be released after serving approximately 6 ½ years in total.
Details of the Crime
The fatal incident occurred on February 23, 2018, when Smith, along with two other men, was involved in a home invasion at Hughes’ residence in Springfield, Illinois. Although Smith was not present during the actual stabbing, she played a role by providing Hughes’ address to her co-defendants, Dayne Woods and Mark D. Meszaros.
The two men attacked the occupants of the house with pepper spray, used subterfuge by pretending to be police officers, and eventually stole $600 in cash. During the confrontation, Hughes tried to defend himself but was fatally stabbed in the chest by Woods.
Smith’s involvement was deemed less severe compared to the other defendants. Woods, who wielded the knife that killed Hughes, was sentenced to 37 years in prison after being convicted of first-degree murder, home invasion, armed robbery, and theft.
Meszaros, who also participated in the robbery, was sentenced to 30 years after pleading guilty to armed robbery and home invasion.
Smith’s Role and Defense
Though Smith was not physically present at the scene of the crime, her role in providing the address for the robbery made her an accomplice under the felony murder rule. Prosecutors argued that she should be held accountable for the murder because the crime was committed in the course of a felony.
However, Smith’s defense team pointed out that she had been a victim of domestic violence at the hands of Woods, which they argued influenced her actions.
Smith also showed signs of personal growth during her time in pretrial detention, where she became a straight-A student after struggling academically before her arrest. Her attorney emphasized these changes as part of the defense for a lesser sentence.
Sentencing Hearing and Smith’s Statement
During her sentencing, Smith acknowledged her role in the crime and expressed deep regret. “There will forever be a hole in my heart,” Smith said, addressing Hughes’ family. “I know it will never compare to what you have gone through.”
She admitted to being a “weak individual” at the time of the crime and stated that there were “so many things I should have done differently.”
The judge took Smith’s lesser role into account, as well as her efforts to better herself since the crime. The sentencing reflects the recognition of her post-arrest changes, but the judge also emphasized the severity of the crime, ultimately handing down the 13-year sentence.
Post-Sentence Conditions
After serving her sentence, Smith will be placed under mandatory supervised release for 18 months. In addition, she is required to pay a civil judgment, further reflecting the consequences of her involvement in the crime.
A Community Remembers Dohndre Hughes
The death of Dohndre Hughes left a significant impact on his family and the community. Hughes was remembered fondly for his infectious smile and love of family, cooking, and basketball. His obituary described him as a “people person” who made everyone he met feel like a friend.
The tragedy of his death continues to affect those who knew him, and Smith’s plea and sentencing offer some closure, though it remains a painful loss for his loved ones.
Katherine Smith’s sentencing concludes a lengthy legal process following the deadly home invasion, where her role in the crime led to her guilty plea and the imposition of a reduced sentence.
While she avoids significant prison time due to her pretrial detention and post-arrest reforms, the tragic loss of Dohndre Hughes and the broader impact of the crime on his family and the community remains at the forefront of the case.
