Dante admits to killing fiancé, charged with first-degree murder
May 2, 2017 10:29 p.m.
Photo by Star Silva
Eric A. Dante is led to Boundary County Court Tuesday by Boundary County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Richard Stephens where he is officially charged with the shooting death of his fiancé Jesseka Musson.
By Star Silva
Editor

A Boundary County man admitted to killing his fiancé Monday after she allegedly threatened him and members of his family with the Hell’s Angels, according to court reports.

Authorities discovered the body of Jesseka Musson, 38, covered in blood and leaning over the end of a bed with a fatal gunshot wound to the head.

The Boundary County Sheriff’s Office arrested 36-year-old Eric Allen Dante at the scene of the crime, No. 22 Cedar Court, McCall Street, on Monday at about 10:45 a.m. Dante was initially held overnight as a person of interest after he admitted to killing Musson.

Dante made an initial appearance before Boundary County First District Magistrate Judge Justin W. Julian at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, where he was officially charged with felony, premeditated first-degree murder. Judge Julian set Dante’s bond at $1 million.

On Monday, the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Bonners Ferry Police Department, and Idaho State Police were dispatched to the residence for an unknown emergency. Upon arrival, Boundary County Sheriff David Kramer, who arrived first on scene, observed Dante at the end of Cedar Court on bended knees in the middle of the driveway with his hands behind his back, according to reports.

Dante reportedly told Kramer that there had been a homicide and pointed toward the residence. Dante initially reported to Kramer that Musson had been killed due to a knife wound, and Kramer removed a Buck brand knife sheath from Dante’s person. According to reports, a fixed blade knife was also located next to Musson’s head.

Jesseka Musson
After being read his Miranda Rights, Dante admitted to Boundary County Sheriff’s Office Detective David McClelland that he had killed Musson in self-defense, and volunteered details of the incidents that led up to the homicide.

Dante reportedly told McClelland that Musson had been threatening his family with the Hell's Angels and that the Hell’s Angels had also threatened his family. Dante said that he and Musson had been drinking and “got crazy.”

Dante went on to say that he would go to prison for his daughter. Dante reportedly asked Detective McClelland if Musson was dead. When Detective McClelland confirmed to Dante that Musson was dead, Dante reportedly replied, “Okay. That's what happens to liars.”

In 1998, Dante was granted immunity in exchange for information regarding the death and disappearance of Boundary County resident Ty Hartman, 19. Dante, along with two other minors, were with Hartman on the night of his death. On November 8, 1998, Hartman disappeared after spending the evening with his friends near Bonners Ferry.

About a month later on December 9, 1998, Harry and Pamela Hartman filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Boundary County against the three friends and their parents. Eventually, Dante and the other defendants in that lawsuit, led police to the charred remains of Hartman. The teens admitted that Hartman had died early on the morning of November 9, 1998, and that some of them had burned his body.

The teenagers told authorities where the body was only after they were granted some measure of immunity. By agreeing to cooperate, the teens dodged misdemeanor charges of obstructing an officer, false reporting, and burial without a permit, according to reports. The question on the table was whether or not Hartman had died of a drug overdose and was taken to the area where his remains were burned and dumped.

Dante will appear in court within the next 14 days represented by Boundary County Public Defender Serra Woods.