MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) – Montana prosecutors are set to open their case against a Missoula man who shot and killed a high school exchange student from Germany inside the man’s garage.
Markus Kaarma is charged with deliberate homicide in the April death of 17-year-old Diren Dede. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.
Kaarma’s attorneys argue he was defending his home and feared for his safety when he fired a shotgun into his garage in April.
Prosecutors say Kaarma set a trap by leaving the garage door partially open, as well as a purse inside, before firing without warning.
Thursday’s opening statements mark another test of America’s “stand your ground” laws. The laws make it easier for people to shoot a person and avoid prosecution by saying they felt an imminent danger.
The German government is closely following the Montana case and has condemned Dede’s killing as out of proportion to any risk.