ST. LOUIS – A man pleaded guilty Friday to a knife-fight killing that occurred in 2014 outside of a bar.

Andrew Barnett, 44, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and armed criminal action for the death of Kristopher Schmeiderer. 

Both men were regulars at a bar in the 6300 block of Alabama Avenue in south St. Louis City.

According to prosecutors, Barnett and Schmeiderer got into a heated argument. During the altercation, prosecutors say Barnett stabbed Schmeiderer in the neck and stomach on May 8, 2014.

Because of the attack and his injuries, Schmeiderer was reliant on a ventilator and was quadriplegic. He passed away a year later on Nov. 30, 2015, due to health complications because of the attack.

After the stabbing on May 8, Barnett fled the scene in his car, but he was later apprehended by police. When being approached by officers, they discovered a laceration on Barnett’s thumb. Shortly after, police recovered clothing with bloodstains from a storm sewer near Barnett’s parent’s home.

The DNA from the material traced back to Andrew Barnett, who was indicted by a grand jury on Feb. 2, 2021—seven years after the knife-fight killing.

“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.

According to the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office, Barnett has a prior conviction for third-degree assault and driving while under the influence.

He will be sentenced next Friday, April 11.