A Jefferson County jury has convicted Andrew J. Britton, 26, of De Soto of voluntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in connection with the death of Randy L. Sitze, 61, in January 2019, the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced.
The Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced in a social media post that the jury convicted Britton on Feb. 10 and recommended a 14-year sentence. Britton is scheduled to be sentenced in April, the report said.
Assistant prosecuting attorneys Courtney Goodwin and Tiffany Baker handled the case.
According to the probable-cause statement, Britton and Sitze were associates, and Britton killed Sitze on Jan. 11, 2019, at Sitze's De Soto home by hitting him on the head several times and then stabbing him several times in the neck and upper chest.
Britton told Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputies that he struck the victim with what could have been a candle holder until he believed Sitze was brain dead. However, he said Sitze was still breathing, so he stabbed him, the report said.
Britton admitted to being paranoid and having thoughts and actions out of his control, which led him to attack Sitze after being provoked, according to the report.
Authorities said Britton provided pertinent details about Sitze’s death that only a suspect would know, such as items removed from the home, items that were altered and injuries to the victim.
Sitze shared a home in the 100 block of West Lakeview Drive with his mother, who found him dead in the basement of their home, authorities reported.
The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis assisted with the homicide investigation.