MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Illinois — It's the news Chris Smith has been waiting for.
"It's about time," Smith said.
On Friday, a jury found Robert Tarr of Collinsville guilty on four counts, including first-degree murder for the death of Leslie Reeves and the attempted murder of Smith. The jury returned the guilty verdicts on Tarr's 51st birthday.
"Thank you Lord, thank you very much. There was so much overwhelming evidence," Smith said.
Smith went on a first date with Leslie Reeves right before Thanksgiving in 2021.
Tarr, Reeve's ex-boyfriend, tracked them down at Smith's Farmersville, Illinois, home.
Smith doesn't recall much from that night. Almost three years later, the week-long trial shed some light.
"This is what happened that night, he apparently came to the backdoor to my house, he ripped open the storm door and then apparently we were in the kitchen cooking a pizza, she saw what happened. She moved the fridge in front of the door and then I got down to wedge the door and he fired through the door and that's when the bullet came to my head," Smith said.
Reeves, a mother of two, died that night. She was well known in the Troy, Illinois, community. Her business, All You Studio & Party Place, offered a space for women to practice yoga, do fitness training and learn self-defense.
She was an advocate for domestic violence victims.
Chris Smith's survival
Smith said his life has forever changed from that deadly night. Since the shooting, Smith had brain surgery, was in a coma for three months, and had three strokes.
"I lost everything, I lost my life without being killed. I was living the dream, I really was. I had started my own business, I was a single dad, I had a beautiful house, bunch of land, what more could you ask for?" he added.
He also feels pain in the trauma it's caused his 12-year-old daughter and his family. She was 9 when the shooting happened.
"I’ve missed three years with her. I can handle this, but for my child to go through this, that’s what hurt most as a parent," he shared.
Smith has moved back in with his mom in St. Charles County.
He's been rebuilding his life ever since.
Smith still struggles with his left arm. He said it doesn't really work but it's making some progress.
He's also been working on his left leg. Smith explained his ankle had no movement.
Just recently, he was able to get a Bioness L300, which is a compact wireless device worn on a patient's leg to help improve walking abilities.
With the Bioness wrapped around his knee and an app through his phone, he's finally able to move his foot up and down.
"I’ve walked three miles in the last two days," he added.
They paid $10,000 out of pocket for the device due to insurance problems.
He said, "You can’t put a price on a limb."
During this time, he's been able to use his voice.
"Thank the Lord I have a voice and I can sing, I started my band up again," Smith said with a smile.
He's been performing throughout the St. Louis area.
Smith also signed a book deal in January. It's expected to have a hard launch this fall.
It's called, 'My Deadly First Date: A Story of Survival Inspiration'.
The message is to motivate.
"Appreciate that you can tie your shoes, that you can button your shirt, don't take anything for granted. No matter how bleak things look, it will get better. Folks, don't ever give up in anything in life, never give up," he added.
What's next
Almost a year after the shooting, Tarr was indicted by a grand jury on two counts of solicitation of murder for hire. Those charges are still awaiting trial.
Investigators said Tarr was in custody when he tried to hire someone to kill Smith and a Montgomery County deputy investigating the case.
The sentencing for Robert Tarr is July 1 and Smith is expected to make a victim impact statement.
Smith said, "I wish Illinois had the death penalty, that’s what I wish. You (Robert) took the easy way out and that’s a way of a coward."
Smith shared in his victim impact speech he wants to talk about the trauma Tarr has caused to his daughter and his family.
Tarr could face a minimum of 76 years behind bars.
If you'd like to donate to Smith's GoFundMe, click here.