Greg Baird

A recent transplant to Missoula from New York City. People always think I must be having serious culture shock, but when it all comes down to it this is exactly the change I was looking for. New York will always be in my blood, but I am proud to call Montana my home.

Diren Dede’s Host Family Gives Emotional Testimony in Markus Kaarma Trial

Randy Smith, who hosted German exchange student Diren Dede along with his wife Kate Walker, took the stand to give emotional testimony about his time with Diren and the events of the fateful night Diren was fatally shot in Markus Kaarma's garage.

Detective Testifies to Discrepancies in Initial Statements from Markus Kaarma

Detective Richard Dean Chrestenson, who led interviews with Markus Kaarma, Janelle Pflager, and Robby Pazmino (the teen who was with Diren Dede), testified today about discrepancies in Kaarma's initial statement that led to him being charged with Dede's murder. Kaarma had claimed self defense. Debate over whether or not Dede had a light source in the garage also took center stage.

Neighbor Told Janelle Pflager About Stand Your Ground Defense Days Before Shooting

The man who lived next door to Markus Kaarma and Janelle Pflager on the night of the shooting testified that Janelle Pflager asked him about Montana gun laws on or about April 22, leading to a brief discussion of the Stand Your Ground defense. Five days later, Markus Kaarma fatally shot German exchange student Diren Dede, who was trespassing in his garage.

Kaarma Neighbors Refute Accusations of Bias [YouTube]

Testimony in the Markus Kaarma trial heated up this afternoon with the testimony of Leslie Wozniak and Terry Klise, as the defense ramped up accusations of bias against Markus Kaarma.

Neighbors Describe Kaarma’s Behavior Before the Shooting, Accusations of Baiting

Following testimony of Robby Pazmino, the state brought out a series of neighbors to describe not only what they heard in the early hours of April 27, but what they heard from Markus Kaarma and Janelle Pflager in the weeks leading up to the shooting.

Diren Dede’s Friend Robby Pazmino Describes Markus Kaarma Shooting in Court [YouTube]

Robby Pazmino, the Ecuadorian exchange student who was with Diren Dede when Dede entered Markus Kaarma's garage, took the stand on the fourth day of Kaarma's trial in Missoula.

Medical Examiner Explains His Postmortem of Diren Dede; Markus Kaarma Had Marijuana in His System

Dr. Gary Dale, State Medical Examiner, took the stand on behalf of the prosecution in the trial of Markus Kaarma. On April 27, 2014 Dr. Dale performed the postmortem examination of Diren Dede's body.

Detective Mitch Lang Takes Jurors on a Video Tour of the Crime Scene at the Kaarma Home

Detective Mitch Lang took the stand in the Markus Kaarma trial today to take jurors through a video walk-through he filmed as well as crime scene photographs. One of Lang's specialties is determining patterns in criminal activity. He does not recall any pattern of crimes in the Prospect area of Grant Creek leading up to the shooting...

Sargeant Mike Hebert on Whether or Not Evidence Was Mishandled in the Markus Kaarma Case

Testimony resumed in the trial of Markus Kaarma with the defense team's cross-examination of Sargeant Mike Hebert, who was the fourth officer on the scene. Hebert was responsible for evidence collection and management.

Janelle Pflager Describes the Shooting of Diren Dede and its Aftermath in Day Two of the Markus Kaarma Trial

On day two of the Markus Kaarma trial in Missoula, Kaarma's partner Janelle Pflager took the stand again to continue her testimony, describing the night of the shooting and its aftermath.