Kalispell Man Denies Marijuana Theft

A 21-year-old Kalispell man has pleaded not guilty to taking marijuana plants from the apartment of a medical marijuana patient who had been beaten to death.

Joshua Fritz entered his plea in District Court Thursday to charges of burglary, evidence tampering and obstructing a peace officer.

Prosecutors say Fritz and 21-year-old Robert A. Lake of Kalispell were seen taking marijuana plants from the apartment of 49-year-old Wesley Collins on April 17. Investigators say Collins was beaten to death on April 12 and his body found five days later.

Lake and 19-year-old Jeffrey A. Nixon have pleaded not guilty to deliberate homicide charges in Collins’ death.

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