Man charged with Brookfield murder, standoff faces judge

Staff Photo / Chris McBride Andrew Reedy, 57, left, and his attorney, Ross Smith, appear in Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Ronald Rice’s courtroom Thursday afternoon. Reedy faces charges of aggravated murder and aggravated robbery in connection with the death of Jane Payton, 57, of Masury, whom prosecutors allege he fatally shot after breaking into her home following an eviction.

WARREN – A man accused of fatally shooting a woman during a confrontation Dec. 20 in Brookfield was arraigned Thursday in Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas.

The incident also involved a nearly 24-hour standoff with police, during which the suspect allegedly threatened officers before suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Andrew Reedy, 57, has pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated murder and aggravated robbery in connection with the death of 57-year-old Jane Payton. Prosecutors allege that Reedy, who had recently been evicted from Payton’s home, broke into the residence and fatally shot him. with a shotgun shortly after the eviction was carried out.

The case is being presided over by Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Ronald Rice. During the arraignment, Deputy Prosecutor Chris Becker opposed bail, citing Reedy’s probation status at the time of the incident and his history of alcohol-related offenses.

“After the eviction order was executed, he immediately returned to the property, broke in and killed the victim.” Becker said.

Rice agreed to have Reedy remain in the Trumbull County Jail without bond. His next court hearing is Jan. 14, court records show.

Reedy, who had been hospitalized for self-inflicted injuries, was recently released from a Cleveland hospital and appeared in court represented by his attorney, Ross Smith.

The standoff, which began shortly after 11 a.m. on Dec. 20, drew negotiators and law enforcement officials from multiple jurisdictions. Authorities reported that Reedy’s actions prolonged the tense situation before he committed suicide.

Reedy did not turn himself in to police until 7 a.m. on Dec. 21, according to police reports.