Diren Dede killer convicted

Markus Kaarma (pictured above, center) was convicted of the deliberate homicide of 17-year-old German exchange student Diren Dede of Hamburg on Wednesday, which carries a minimum penalty of ten years in prison. Kaarma, 30, had claimed self-defense for shooting the unarmed teenager in his garage in a case which has highlighted a dubious "stand your ground" statute in Montana.

The case has been followed closely in Germany, with German authorities launching their own investigation into the killing.

Dede was most likely "garage hopping" - going through unlocked garages to look for alcohol - with a friend when he entered Kaarma's garage. The friend remained out on the street.

Kaarma, who the defense argued was overly anxious following a burglary in his garage shortly before, went after Dede with his shotgun 23 seconds after spotting him in the garage via a video feed. Kaarma's partner, Janelle Pflager, told the court last week that Kaarma did not attempt to help her as she went to assist Dede, who was bleeding "everywhere."

Dede died of his wounds in a Missoula hospital.

Revenge?

Kaarma's defense hinged on a controversial "stand your ground" law, which allows for the use of force if someone feels they are in imminent danger.

Prosecutor Karla Painter put the incident in a different light, saying Kaarma had deliberately tried to lure a teenager inside, so he could exact revenge for the previous burglary. He allegedly told neighbors he was going to harm the next person who tried to steal from his garage.

Painter said in her closing statement that Kaarma had created a trap by leaving his garage door partially open and rigging motion sensors, then going out the front door with his shot gun as soon as the sensors lit up.

After reviewing video evidence on Wednesday, jurors found Kaarma guilty.

"It is very good," said Dede's father, Celal Dede, with tears in his eyes. "Long live justice."

es/lw (AP, AFP)