Sheldon Andrews knew the man who killed him, a Suffolk County homicide prosecutor said during opening statements in that man’s murder trial today. The two had many of the same friends and, on the evening of Aug. 27, 2008, even had the same plans – to enjoy the company of friends at a typical backyard cookout.

“But that night would turn out to be anything but typical,” Assistant District Attorney Edward Krippendorf told a Suffolk Superior Court jury. “It would turn out to be the very last night of Sheldon Andrews’ life because of the anger and rage of one man – ROBERT PARRIS, the defendant before you.”

Parris (D.O.B. 4/12/69) is charged with second-degree murder for allegedly stabbing the 27-year-old Andrews to death during an altercation in the rear of a Holiday Street address shortly after 7:00 p.m.

Krippendorf said the two men, both Dorchester residents, had a “tense” relationship because of an incident about a week and a half prior, which ended when Andrews hit Parris in the head with a bottle. When Parris arrived at the cookout, Andrews confronted him again.

“In front of all those people, Robert Parris made a cold, calculated decision,” Krippendorf said. “He took out a knife and he used that knife for its intended purpose – and that purpose was to stab and kill Sheldon Andrews.”

Parris allegedly stabbed Andrews eight times in the head, arm, shoulder, chest, and leg, causing grievous injuries.

“Sheldon Andrews stumbled from the back yard to Geneva Avenue and collapsed,” Krippendorf said. “As Sheldon Andrews lay dying, Robert Parris went back the way he came. He got into his vehicle and drove away.”

Andrews was transported to Boston Medical Center suffering from mortal injuries. He died at about 11:00 that night. In the hours and days after his death, Boston Police homicide detectives obtained multiple witness statements indicating that Parris had stabbed him.

For his part, Parris fled the area.

“He left the City of Boston,” Krippendorf said. “He left the state. He left the country.”

Parris was apprehended on Sept. 5, 2008, as he stepped from a plane in Kingston, Jamaica. He had been tracked there by Boston Police, Suffolk prosecutors, and US Marshals who learned he had a connecting flight to Barbados.

Catherine Yuan is the district attorney’s victim-witness advocate assigned to the case. Parris is represented by attorney Frances Robinson. Judge Christine McEvoy is presiding in courtroom 808 of Suffolk Superior Court.