Fayetteville, WV (WOAY) – An Indiana woman is sentenced to prison for her role in a 2023 murder.
Amanda Don Soultz, age 32, of Elkhart, Indiana, was sentenced to life in prison by Judge Thomas K. Fast for her participation in the murder of Michelle Smith in Fayette County. She entered her plea on December 6, 2024. As part of the plea agreement, Soultz will be eligible for parole after serving fifteen (15) years.
Her co-defendant, Andres M. Torres, Jr., was tried and convicted of Murder in the First
Degree, Kidnapping, Robbery, and Conspiracy following a three-day jury trial that took place last October.
According to the press release, Soultz and her co-defendant, Andres M. Torres Jr., arrived in Fayette County from Indiana in January of 2023. They had known Michelle Smith since they had previously lived in the area. Shortly after arriving in Fayette County, Torres was in need of money and had pawned a watch to Smith for $50, which she then posted for sale on Facebook. Torres reportedly became angry after seeing the post. He and Soultz then went to the home of Michelle Smith to get the watch back on February 16, 2023. This led to Smith being kidnapped, robbed, and murdered.
Soultz told prosecutors that she was forced by Torres to participate in the crimes and that she complied out of fear. Once in jail, calls were recorded between Torres and Soultz where they said they intended to get married. Torres was going to take the fall so that Soultz could potentially walk free.
