Man Convicted in German Exchange Student's Killing
Source: AP
MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — A Montana man who shot and killed a German exchange student caught trespassing in his garage was convicted of deliberate homicide Wednesday despite arguing that a state "castle doctrine" law allowed him to use deadly force to protect his home and family.
Cheers erupted in the packed courtroom when the verdict in the case of Markus Kaarma, 30, was read. The parents of the victim, 17-year-old Diren Dede, hugged and cried.
"It is very good," Dede's father, Celal Dede, said with tears in his eyes. "Long live justice".
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At a hearing Thursday, Diren Dede's parents will give statements to the judge to consider at sentencing. Prosecutors asked for the hearing so Celal and Gulcin Dede won't have to return to Missoula in February.
Kaarma shot Dede in the early hours of April 27 after being alerted to an intruder by motion sensors. Witnesses testified Kaarma fired four shotgun blasts at Dede, who was unarmed.
Kaarma's attorneys argued at trial that he feared for his life, didn't know if the intruder was armed, and was on edge because his garage was burglarized at least once in the weeks before the shooting. They said Kaarma's actions were justifiable because he feared for his family's safety.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/Deliberations-resume-in-exchange-student-killing-5962189.php
The "Castle doctrine" was actually applied, the absolute defence of justification was rejected, the part about the defense of your "castle" has to be reasonable, using deadly force has to be justified.
Four shot gun blasts at the unarmed "intruder". Not reasonable.
Good to know there is still Justice in the world.
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