Heather Sims 'stand your ground' murder trial continues, should wrap Friday

The state continued to present their case against Heather Sims on Monday, and closing arguments are expected on Friday.

Heather Causey Sims, 34, of Conway was charged with murder after Horry County authorities found her husband, 35-year-old David Sims dead from a single gunshot wound to the chest at their home on Aug. 11, 2013, and Sims said she acted in self dense after the couple fought at their home on Old Reaves Ferry Road, authorities said.

Sims’ trial began Nov. 9 with jury selection the first day, followed by opening arguments the next day and witnesses being called including, a 911 operator, police officer, and a first responder.

The trial wrapped for the weekend after forensic pathologist Dr. Werner Spitz testified he believed wounds Sims suffered the night her husband was killed were self-inflicted because of their location and superficial nature.

Sims’ defense attorney, Morgan Martin, asserted the information Spitz offered was a matter of opinion – not fact.

Nancy Livesay, who is prosecuting the case for the 15th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, will continue to present the state’s case Tuesday before Circuit Court Judge Caldwell Maddox, and the defense is expected to call at least one witness Wednesday or Thursday, according to Jimmy Richardson, Horry County Solicitor.

The trial will likely conclude Friday; however, it is possible it could spill over into next week.

Over the summer, Sims tried to challenge her murder charge and sought immunity under the state’s Stand Your Ground law, which allows deadly force against an intruder or attacker in a person’s home, business or vehicle. The state said the law excludes people living in the same residence and doesn’t apply when there is a domestic situation in the home, and Sims lost the motion in August.

This story was originally published November 17, 2015 at 9:47 AM with the headline "Heather Sims 'stand your ground' murder trial continues, should wrap Friday."