MISSOULA -
Bail is set at $10,000 for one of two teens accused of burglarizing a Grant Creek Home 10 days before the homeowner allegedly shot and killed the 17-year-old German exchange student.
18-year-old Tristan Staber appeared in Missoula County Justice Court on a felony charge of conspiracy to commit burglary and misdemeanor of conspiracy to commit criminal trespass.
Court documents show on April 17 Staber and a 16-year-old, referred to by the courts as "John Doe," were allegedly "car hopping " in the Grant Creek area. Police said Staber would act as a look out while the 16-year-old would run into open garages in an attempt to steal belongings from cars.
Documents show the teens got nothing from the first two garages, but when they came across a third open garage at the home of Markus Kaarma, they took credit cards, a bong, marijuana and an I-phone from the garage and two unlocked vehicles, belonging to Kaarma his wife Janelle Pflager.
Staber admitted his role in the theft to police in the first week of May. The other teen will appear in juvenile court.
10 days after his home was allegedly burglarized by the teens, on April 27 Kaarma shot and killed 17-year-old Diren Dede who prosecutors said entered the open garage door in search of an alcoholic beverage.
Kaarma is now charged with deliberate homicide. Staber said he and his alleged accomplice have no connection to Dede, and the other exchange student Dede was with the night of his death.
