A Florida woman has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of killing her husband’s elderly great-grandfather during a robbery in 2020. Prosecutors said the crime was part of a plan to steal money and valuables so she and her boyfriend could leave the state and start a new life.
Florida Woman Sentenced to Life for Elderly Man’s Murder
Britney Andrus, 29, was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison for the death of James Little, an 88-year-old man who was attacked in his home in Sebring, Florida.
A jury found Andrus guilty in July of:
- Second-degree murder
- Burglary
- Grand theft of a motor vehicle
Authorities said the elderly victim was beaten while lying in his bed during a robbery at his home.
Case Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Britney Andrus |
| Age | 29 |
| Victim | James Little |
| Victim’s Age | 88 |
| Location | Sebring, Florida |
| Crime Year | 2020 |
| Sentence | Life in prison |
| Charges | Second-degree murder, burglary, vehicle theft |
Boyfriend Testified Against Her
Andrus’ boyfriend, Tyler Best, who was 25 at the time, also faced charges connected to the crime. He previously pleaded guilty and testified against Andrus during the trial.
Best was sentenced earlier this year to 15 years in prison.
During testimony, Best reportedly told the court that the idea to kill the elderly man came from Andrus.
He said he initially argued with her and tried to distance himself from the plan but later became involved after leaving with items stolen from the victim’s home.
What Happened the Day of the Attack
At the time of the crime, Andrus and Best were living in a mother-in-law suite attached to James Little’s home. Andrus’ husband — the victim’s great-grandson — was in jail when the attack happened.
Investigators said the couple planned to steal valuables from the home, including:
- The victim’s car
- Jewelry belonging to his late wife
- Cash and other valuables
Authorities believe they wanted the money to travel to Michigan, where Andrus planned to live with her grandmother.
On October 22, 2020, Andrus ran to a neighbor’s home around 1:30 p.m. and claimed she had just found Little unconscious in his bedroom.
Emergency crews rushed the elderly man to the hospital, but he died five days later.
Evidence Investigators Found
Detectives quickly became suspicious after examining the crime scene.
According to investigators:
- The bedroom had been ransacked with open drawers
- Jewelry boxes were missing
- The victim’s car and wallet were gone
- About $1,500 in cash had been taken
- A hidden safe, known only to close family members, had also disappeared
Police said there was blood evidence throughout the room, and investigators concluded the victim had been attacked multiple times.
An autopsy later confirmed blunt force trauma to the head as the cause of death. Authorities said the victim was struck 12 times with an unknown object.
Stolen Money and Surveillance Evidence
After the attack, investigators tracked the suspects through surveillance footage showing them driving around in the victim’s stolen car and spending his money.
Authorities said Best used some of the stolen cash to buy methamphetamine.
Witnesses also told police that Andrus showed up at a friend’s house with blood on her shirt shortly after the crime.
According to investigators, she reportedly told others:
“I don’t know what I did.”
She also allegedly made another disturbing comment suggesting the victim “was asking for it.”
Family Speaks at Sentencing
During the sentencing hearing, members of the victim’s family spoke about the devastating loss.
The victim’s grandson, Joshua Little, described his grandfather as a kind man who loved helping others.
He told the court that his grandfather’s life was taken during what should have been the peaceful final years of his life.
Joshua said he cannot imagine how frightened and alone his grandfather must have felt during his final moments.
Defense Raised Mental Health History
Andrus’ defense attorney argued that she had struggled with serious mental health issues throughout her life.
According to the defense, part of that trauma began when she discovered her mother’s murdered body at just five years old.
However, prosecutors argued the crime itself — not her past — should be the focus of the case.
They said Andrus brutally attacked an elderly man while under the influence of drugs and then stole his belongings.
A Case That Took Years to Resolve
Although investigators suspected Andrus and Best early on, it took about a year before arrests were made.
After nearly five years of legal proceedings, the victim’s family finally received a verdict.
The victim’s son said he felt relieved that justice had been served after such a long wait.
