Jamica Mills was expected to enter a plea in the death of 26-year-old Ariel Spillner, who was killed last November.

Spillner was a student at Concordia University, studying to be a pharmacist. The hearing was pushed to Nov. 12 because a plea resolution has not been reached.

“The state tells me that we can continue negotiating, so we will, in a good faith effort to try to settle the case, if that’s possible,” defense attorney Theodore O'Reilly said.

According to the criminal complaint, Spillner was smoking marijuana with Mills and cutting her dog’s hair with scissors. Mills told police she became paranoid and thought Spillner would stab her.  

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Police say Mills retrieved a firearm from her bedroom and shot Spillner.

Spillner’s family came to court expecting the plea hearing to happen. Her sister, Courtney Spillner, said the delays have made an already painful process more difficult. 

Ariel Spillner Family

“Coming to court is so traumatic, it brings everything right back up to the surface again,” Courtney Spillner said. “Having to keep pushing it back is hard, not getting some sort of resolution and not being able to fully grieve.”

Mills is facing a first degree reckless homicide charge.

Prosecuting attorney Ian Vance-Curzan said the charge could change if the case goes to trial.

“I do intend on amending the charge to first degree intentional homicide if it does go to trial,” Vance-Curzan said.

“Right now, we’re just hoping that she will plead guilty or take accountability for her actions,” Courtney Spillner said.

Spillner’s family said the delay is especially difficult as the one-year anniversary of her death approaches.

“No sentence will bring my sister back, nothing will make any of this better, but I do hope that the justice system can follow through and make it right,” Courtney Spillner said.