Stabbing at Oak Tree Apartments in West Columbia lands man in prison for 30 Years

Randy Eugene Self, age 67, was convicted last week Thursday, August 24, by a Lexington County jury for the Murder of Steven Stelloh (photographed below), age 38. Chief Administrative Judge Walton J. McLeod, IV, presided over the trial and sentenced Self to 30 years in prison. Under South Carolina law, Self is not eligible for parole and must serve this sentence day for day.

Senior Assistant Solicitor Robby McNair and Assistant Solicitor Luke Pincelli handled the prosecution of this case. The investigation was conducted by the West Columbia Police Department.

On June 7, 2020, Self stabbed Steven outside of the apartment that they shared at the Oak Tree Apartment complex in West Columbia. The stabbing took place at approximately 1:39 a.m.

Neighbors arrived home to find Steven laying on the ground in front of his door with Self standing over him. Self told his neighbors that Steven was beaten up at the club and asked for help to move him inside the apartment. One neighbor noticed a pool of blood and a stab wound on Steven’s right side. When calling 911, Self told the neighbors not to call and made comments about letting Steven just bleed out. When officers arrived on scene, Self told them that Steven showed up at the door in that condition. Steven was located without a shirt on, without shoes on, without his keys, and wearing sweatpants.

During the course of the investigation, investigators identified inconsistencies in Self’s statement. It was discovered that the two were at a birthday party together and then went to a bar. The investigation also revealed that a friend dropped the two off at their apartment less than ten minutes prior to the 911 call.

Video surveillance depicted the roommates leaving the bar at 1:24 a.m. During the trial, testimony revealed that Steven had recently lost his job and Self questioned Steven about money earlier in the day. Neighbors also testified to hearing a commotion in the apartment just prior to the stabbing. After the stabbing, Self was observed walking behind the apartment complex.

Investigators later located a knife in the area where Self walked. The knife was identified as being one used at the House of Raeford and Self worked there at the time of the stabbing. The investigation also revealed that Self also washed up after the stabbing and footprints with blood were found in the apartment.

Self took the stand in his own defense during the trial and asserted that the stabbing occurred in self-defense. Self testified that Steven attacked him first because of the money issues. He admitted that the knife found behind the apartment complex was the one he used. During the trial, the jury heard a recorded jail call between Self and a friend that contradicted his testimony. On the recorded call, Self admitted to chasing Steven out of the apartment with a knife. The testimony of the forensic pathologist also revealed that the location of the stab wound was consistent with Steven sustaining the injury from behind.