A Sanford man who shot and killed his landlord and wounded a neighbor in an altercation over his eviction will spend the rest of his natural life in prison for murder.

A jury found ANDRE L. CRIST, 54, guilty of first-degree premeditated murder (a capital felony) and attempted first-degree murder July 18 based on evidence and eyewitness testimony presented by Assistant State Attorneys Jacob Polk, Elena Vazquez, and Jason Miller.  The jury also found Crist guilty of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Sanford police arrested Crist in July 2022 after finding the landlord, Cliff Perard, dead from gunshots in the backyard of a house on Anderson Circle where Crist had rented a studio apartment. A blood trail led to the home of a neighbor, Cheron Barosy, who had been shot by Crist after joining the landlord in demanding Crist move his belongings from the apartment.

Witnesses testified that Crist left the scene after being confronted about the eviction – then returned with a handgun and shot both men.

“Mr. Cliff Perard was trying to help the defendant get on his feet by allowing him to live in the back of his residence,” ASA Polk said. “In exchange for being a good Samaritan he was shot and killed right outside of his residence.”

Said ASA Vazquez: “We are grateful for the jury’s verdict and that justice has been served for the family so they can heal from this tragic and senseless act.”

Circuit Judge Melanie Chase sentenced Crist to two life sentences for the murder and attempted murder convictions and 15 years in prison for possessing a firearm while a convicted felon.