Fourth teen convicted in MSU student's killing

ANN ARBOR - A fourth suspect has been convicted in the robbery and killing of a Michigan State University student in Clinton County nearly two years ago.

Christopher John Foley, 18, pleaded no contest last week in Washtenaw County to conspiracy to commit armed robbery, court records show. He was charged in connection with the death of Owosso native Dustyn Frolka, who was found lying on Interstate 69 in Bath Township in February 2014.

Foley wasn't present when Frolka was beaten while riding in a moving sport-utility vehicle and either jumped or was pushed out, police said. But he helped plan the robbery and cover up the murder, they said.

Foley, of Saline, was charged in July 2015, months after the other three defendants had already been sentenced.

Brendan Heim, 18, is serving 32 to 60 years in prison for felony murder. Tyrel Bredernitz, 20, drew a 25- to 38-year sentence for second-degree murder, while Samantha Grigg, 20, was sentenced to 6 to 15 years in prison for manslaughter. All three also are from Saline and were teenagers when the incident happened.

• From the archives - 3 Saline teens charged with killing MSU student

Foley, who was 16 at the time, was charged as an adult in Washtenaw County.

The investigation showed he helped plan the robbery, demonstrating ways that Frolka could be knocked unconscious without killing him, Bath Township Detective Sgt. Gary Smith said. Grigg, who took a plea deal, said Foley helped burn Frolka's clothing and other evidence in a wooded area near Saline, the detective said.

Prosecutors agreed to drop charges of accessory to a felony after the fact and receiving stolen property in exchange for the no-contest plea, police said.

According to court testimony, the suspects hatched a plan to rob Frolka, who was known to sell drugs, on the night before the killing. They planned to drive him to various locations, where he obtained money. Ultimately, Heim began beating Frolka with brass knuckles in the back seat of the SUV as it traveled down I-69, witnesses said. Frolka died after leaving the vehicle.

Bath Township police are closing their investigation into Frolka's death, Smith said.

"We believe there were a few other subjects who played a part in it," he said. "But at this point, we can't prove (their actions rose) to the level of criminal activity."

An attorney for Foley declined to comment on the case on Tuesday.

A no-contest plea is not a formal admission of guilt but is treated as a conviction for sentencing purposes. Foley is set for sentencing on Jan. 28.