PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The man accused of stealing from MAX stabbing victim Ricky Best has changed his plea to the charges against him.
George Elwood Tschaggeny was charged with abuse of a corpse, theft, tampering with physical evidence and 6 counts of identity theft for allegedly stealing Best’s backpack and wedding ring after he was stabbed on May 26.
Tschaggeny pleaded not guiltyin June to the charges of abuse of a corpse, theft, tampering with physical evidence and 6 counts of identity theft . On Nov. 6 he pleaded guilty to 1 count first theft, 1 count tampering with physical evidence and 2 counts of identity theft. Other charges were dismissed.
Tschaggeny is scheduled to appear in court again on Nov. 14 for sentencing.
Tschaggeny was arrested on June 2 at a homeless camp in Northeast Portland with Best’s wedding ring on his pinky finger, according to prosecutors. He also had Best’s credit cards.
Best was one of 3 men who tried to intervene when Jeremy Christian allegedly yelled hate speech at 2 young women on the MAX. Best, 53, died along with Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche.