St. Louis Man Pleads Guilty to Knife-Fight Killing In South St. Louis City

April 4, 2025

ST. LOUIS, MO (April 4, 2025) — Andrew Barnett, 44, pleaded guilty on Friday to second-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with the 2014 killing of 34-year-old Kristopher Schmeiderer. The murder occurred on May 8, 2014, outside a bar in the 6300 block of Alabama Avenue in South St. Louis City.

Barnett and Schmeiderer were both regulars at the bar where they got into an argument that became heated. The two went outside the bar, where Barnett stabbed Schmeiderer in the neck and stomach. After stabbing Schmeiderer, Barnett took off in his car. When he was apprehended by police, officers observed a laceration on his right thumb. Shortly thereafter, two black t-shirts, a white t-shirt, and a pair of jeans with visible blood stains were recovered from a storm sewer near Barnett’s parent’s house. DNA testing confirmed that the blood on the clothing matched Barnett’s profile. Schmeiderer’s injuries left him quadriplegic and reliant on a ventilator. He passed away from complications related to those injuries on November 30, 2015.

This case was initially tried on charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action, leading to convictions on both counts. However, the verdict was overturned on appeal due to the trial judge’s failure to provide a self-defense instruction. On February 2, 2021, Barnett was indicted by a grand jury on charges of second-degree murder and armed criminal action.

Barnett’s sentencing will be on April 11, 2025.

Barnett has prior convictions for third-degree assault and driving while under the influence.

Head of Homicide Tanja Engelhardt and Assistant Circuit Attorney Allan Kaiser prosecuted the case.

“Today’s guilty plea holds Andrew Barnett accountable for the senseless violence that led to the tragic death of Kristopher Schmeiderer. This case highlights the devastating impact of such actions on our community, and our office is committed to ensuring that those who commit violent crimes face consequences,” said St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore.

Barnet’s case number is 2122-CR00271.

For Immediate Release

For more information contact:

Amber Raub

Public Information Officer

St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office

rauba@stlouiscao.org

314-589-6233 (office)

314-312-9912 (cell)

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