Closing arguments finished today in the murder trial of a Missoula man who shot and killed a German exchange student last April.
Markus Kaarma fired a shotgun four times into his garage, killing 17-year-old Diren Dede.
Kaarma’s defense team said he was simply a scared homeowner defending his family against burglars who had already victimized Kaarma twice. Lead defense attorney Paul Ryan said Montana’s Castle Doctrine gives Kaarma special protection.
"Why? Because a home is our sacred place. We have nowhere else to turn. You shouldn’t have to run out the backdoor. Or lock-up because the state wants to tell you to lock-up. It’s my house. Not the burglar’s house."
In her closing argument Deputy Missoula County Attorney Karla Painter characterized Kaarma as a remorseless aggressor who planned to lure burglars into his garage. She said Kaarma was an executioner, not a man trying to protect his family.
“The defendant didn’t do that. He didn’t care. He had one thing on his mind: revenge,” she said.
The case hinges on whether Kaarma was justified in using deadly force. If a jury convicts Kaarma of the deliberate homicide charge he could face a minimum of 10 years in prison.