Indiana man sentenced to life in prison for 2023 murder in Fayette County
FAYETTEVILLE, WV (WVNS) — A 29-year-old man from Indiana was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for his role in the 2023 murder of a woman in Fayette County.
According to Fayette County Prosecuting Attorney Anthony Ciliberti Jr., Andres M. Torres Jr., of Goshen, Indiana was sentenced in a Fayette County courtroom on Thursday, January 30, 2025. The sentencing was for the murder of Michelle Smith in Fayette County in February 2023.
Indiana man found guilty of First-Degree Murder, Kidnapping
Torres and his co-defendant, Amanda Soultz, arrived in Fayette County from Indiana in January of 2023 and had known the Michelle Smith since they had previously lived in the area. According to court documents, Torres pawned a watch to Smith for $50, which she then posted for sale on Facebook.
Torres reportedly became angry after seeing the post which led him and Soultz to go to the home of Michelle Smith to get the watch back on February 16, 2023. This led to Michelle Smith being robbed, kidnapped, and murdered.
Amanda Soultz pleaded guilty to First-Degree Murder in December 2024. She will be sentenced on February 11, 2025.
Through questioning, Amanda Soultz said Torres had forced her to comply with the crimes that were committed. Once in jail, calls were recorded between Torres and Soultz where they said they intended to get married and that Torres was going to take the fall so that Soultz could potentially walk free.
Andres Torres Jr. was also sentenced to a consecutive term of not less than one nor more than five years for the felony crime of conspiracy and a fine of $10,000. Before the murder trial began, Torres was already serving a two to ten year sentence for malicious assault of another inmate at the Southern Regional Jail.Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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