VANDERCOOK LAKE, MI — A Jackson County jury has convicted William Deandre-Kashawn Smith, 36, for the premeditated murder of Shi’Ana Gittens, 31, the mother of his children. The killing occurred in January 2024 while some of their children were asleep nearby.
On Thursday, Jackson County Circuit Judge John McBain sentenced Smith to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The judge strongly condemned Smith’s actions, telling him he would “never have to worry about what a parole board will do” and that he will die in prison.
The Crime
The murder took place inside a home on East McDevitt Avenue in Vandercook Lake, roughly 40 miles west of Ann Arbor. Smith allegedly sneaked into the residence and shot Gittens in the right side of her head, with the bullet exiting through her neck.
One of the couple’s children, a 9-year-old boy, discovered his mother lying near the bed and frantically called his father for help. Smith did not respond. Later, the 6-year-old also found the victim, and the youngest child had been born just weeks before. Gittens was still recovering from a cesarean section at the time.
Evidence and Trial
Jurors were shown 22 minutes of surveillance footage documenting Smith waiting outside the residence before entering. Prosecutors highlighted the time Smith had to contemplate his actions, calling it a “painstaking” part of the case.
Smith’s defense argued a lack of physical evidence, claiming there were no eyewitnesses, no DNA linking him to the crime, and no admissions of guilt. Despite this, the jury found him guilty of first-degree premeditated murder.
Sentencing and Impact
During the sentencing hearing, Smith maintained his innocence, claiming, “I love her and I love my kids. I don’t understand how I’m in the situation I am in. I feel set up.”
The victim’s sister delivered a powerful impact statement, saying, “You created a living nightmare for my niece and especially my nephew. I pray your soul burns in hell for eternity after you die.”
Jackson County Prosecutor Kelsey Guernsey added, “This court knows it takes a special kind of evil to walk into a bedroom and shoot the mother of your children point-blank in the head and leave your children there to find her next morning.”
Smith will spend the remainder of his life behind bars, ensuring he will never have the opportunity to harm anyone again.
