A jury at the Highlands County Courthouse in Sebring has found 36-year-old Britney Lee Andrus guilty of second-degree murder in the 2020 death of 88-year-old James Little. The verdict, delivered late Friday, also includes convictions for grand theft auto and burglary with assault and battery. Glenn Little, the victim’s son, attended the trial and expressed relief following the verdict.
“I am extremely gratified by the verdict. It was something the family was waiting for for five years,” he said, noting that the entire family “will be glad to hear about the results.” According to prosecutors, Andrus and her codefendant, Tyler Ethan Best, entered Little’s home from a connected apartment without permission, stealing valuables and using the stolen items and cash to purchase methamphetamine.
Best, who pleaded guilty two years ago to the same charges, testified against Andrus as part of a plea agreement that may reduce his sentence. He told the jury that Andrus suggested killing Little in the early morning of October 22, 2020. “I told her I wanted nothing to do with it,” Best said, claiming he packed a suitcase and left, according to a courtroom report from the Highlands News-Sun.
Authorities believe Andrus and/or Best broke into Little’s home through a window air conditioner, and later beat him in his bedroom between 6:50 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. Investigators recovered stolen items—including a hidden safe, jewelry, and family heirlooms—in the shared apartment.
Best testified that Andrus showed up at a friend’s house after the killing, changed clothes, and admitted, “I did it, I did it,” with blood visible on her collar. He said she drove Little’s car and handed him $1,500 in cash and the vehicle keys. Andrus later told detectives she found Little beaten and unresponsive around 1:00 p.m. while checking fuses.
She called 911 at 1:30 p.m., claiming she saw blood and followed a trail to his bedroom. However, surveillance footage showed Andrus at the Sebring Resort at 8:00 a.m., where she met with Best. They left an hour later with a suitcase filled with stolen property. Another video showed her buying items at a Circle K using a roll of coins from Little’s home, reports WHIO-TV.
Defense attorney Peter Brewer argued that Best was the actual killer, pointing out inconsistencies in his statements and evidence of his presence in Little’s room. “Best had all the stolen items in his possession,” Brewer said, questioning his credibility. Andrus will be sentenced on September 15 and faces life in prison. Best’s sentencing is pending.