Date: 12-17-2014

Case Style: State of Montana v. Markus Kaarma

Case Number:

Judge: Ed McLean

Court: Fourth Judicial District Court, Missoula County, Montana

Plaintiff's Attorney: Jennifer Clark, Karla Painter

Defendant's Attorney: Paul Ryan and Brian Smith

Description: Missoula, MT - The State of Montana charged Markus Kaarma, age 30, with deliberate homicide of Kiren Dede, age 17, on April 27, 2014. Kaarma left his garage open and when Dede entered the garage he shot him twice with a shotgun killing him.

Testimony during the trial indicted that Dede entered Kaarma's garage looking for beer.

Defendant claimed that he had the right to use deadly force to defend his home.

The State claimed that Kaarma baited his garage to lure Dede into it so that he could shoot him.

Montana has adopted the "Castle Doctrine" along with other state that make it legal to use lethal force to defend one's home.

Hendrik claimed that he feared for his family's safety after enduring previous break-ins at his home.

Outcome: Defendant was found guilty and faces 10 to 100 years in prison when sentenced.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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