The Missoula County Attorney's Office opens its case today against Markus Kaarma, the Missoula man accused in the shooting death of a 17 year-old German exchange student who was inside his darkened garage.

Kaarma has been charged with deliberate homicide, a crime that can bring a sentence of up to life in prison if he is convicted.

Paul Ryan, Kaarma's lead attorney, claimed that he was defending his home early on the morning of April 27th, when he discharged his shotgun four times into his garage. Two rounds struck Diren Dede, causing his death.

Ryan will be using the 'stand your ground' defense. Dede's parents and several attorneys from Germany are in the courtroom. The German government has condemned the shooting death as being out of proportion to any risk to Kaarma and his family.

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