3rd teen sentenced in MSU student's killing

ST. JOHNS – The sentencing Monday of a third teen in the killing of a Michigan State University student brought an end to a case that has left the families involved devastated and now three teens in prison.

"I need you to know the grief and suffering that has been caused by Brendan Heim's choices and actions," Dustyn Frolka's stepmother told Judge Randy Tahvonen at a hearing in Clinton County Circuit Court.

Frolka was killed the night of Feb. 15, after Heim began beating him with brass knuckles in the back seat of an SUV that was speeding down Interstate 69. It was part of a robbery that was planned the night before, according to previous court testimony.

Frolka, an MSU sophomore, either jumped out or was pushed out of the Ford Explorer Sport Trac. He died from his injuries.

"I cannot fathom the terror that must have been in Dustyn's mind at that moment," his stepmother, Eileen Hincka, said in court.

Heim, 17, was sentenced to 32 to 60 years in prison. He pleaded guilty last month to first-degree felony murder.

Heim received the longest sentence, which had been agreed upon by prosecutors and his attorney as part of the plea.

Tahvonen said the sentence "fairly punished the defendant...and it takes into account all the circumstances."

Earlier this month, Tyrel Bredernitz, 18, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, was sentenced to 25 to 38 years in prison. He admitted helping plan the robbery and was in the SUV's front passenger seat during the incident.

The plan involved driving Frolka, who was known to sell drugs, to various locations where he obtained money. Part of the plan was to "rough up" Frolka, prosecutors said.

Samantha Grigg, 18, who was driving, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and is serving 6 to 15 years in prison.

All three teens convicted are from Saline

Frolka's family declined to comment after the hearing. In court Monday, Hincka said he left behind a 1-year-old daughter "who will never know him."

"Nor will she be able to share her accomplishments or sorrows with him," Hincka said. "Dustyn will always be 19 -- all due to Mr. Heim's choices and actions."

Heim's attorney, Tony Spagnuolo, said drug use and being part of a "drug culture" offered "some type of explanation" for what happened. He said Heim's mother and stepfather tried to get him mental health counseling before the incident but it "didn't come to fruition."

Heim made a brief statement in court.

"Nothing I say will ever be sufficient," he said, his voice breaking with emotion. "I took a son, a cousin, a brother, a boyfriend from this world. That debt cannot be repaid."