Posted on 02/13/2015 8:36:34 AM PST by Oliviaforever
A Montana homeowner was sentenced to 70 years in prison for the “stand your ground” killing of German exchange student.
Markus Kaarma, 30, was convicted in December of deliberate homicide after he gunned down 17-year-old Diren Dede in his garage. He’ll have to serve 20 years before he’s eligible for parole.
(Excerpt) Read more at m.nydailynews.com ...
“I don’t know the full facts of this case but I have to question why the kid was in his garage in the first place.”
Apparently stealing stuff out of open garages is a popular pastime among local youths. So, Mr Homeowner got mad because his stuff got stolen, including, if I remember correctly, some marijuana. He then, again, as I recall, left his garage door open on purpose, waited for someone to come in and steal his stuff and went out and shot him.
Not at all related to “stand your ground” laws but more pushing (apparently past) the limits of Montana’s “castle doctrine” laws.
Even if it were self-defense, this had nothing to do with “Stand Your Ground”.
You may disagree, and I think that I made clear that I have absolutely no sympathy for burglars when they're shot, but the law is the law.
What witnesses? What corroboration?
There was no trap. The light was off, and the alleged “bait” was not visible from the street. All that an open garage door means is that whomever enters besides the owner is a criminal trespasser, bottom line.
Indeed. How can it be guaranteed that the jury is in any ways not tainted?
Don't make such blanket statements uninformed. These laws vary widely from state to state. In most cases, your life does NOT have to be a risk to defend yourself with deadly force.
Rottenly bad “Kaarma”
Irrelevant — Montana Constitution:
Section 3. INALIENABLE RIGHTS.
All persons are born free and have certain inalienable rights. They include the right to a clean and healthful environment and the rights of pursuing life’s basic necessities, enjoying and defending their lives and liberties, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and seeking their safety, health and happiness in all lawful ways. In enjoying these rights, all persons recognize corresponding responsibilities.
Section 12. RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS.
The right of any person to keep or bear arms in defense of his own home, person, and property, or in aid of the civil power when thereto legally summoned, shall not be called in question, but nothing herein contained shall be held to permit the carrying of concealed weapons.
SYG laws only exempt you from a duty to retreat, one of the five elements of self-defense. Having a reasonable fear of death or grave bodily harm (not safety) is one of the other elements. It has nothing to do with SYG. Each element of self-defense is an independent requirement.
“Sorry, but if a perp goes for bait, committing a CRIME, he is fair game.”
He may be fair game, but one should consider if saving that six pack of beer is worth doing 70 years in prison.
It has everything to do with a serial thief and an idiotic over reacting homeowner.
To psychopathic killers.
You should think before you post.
Nope, just bait. The guy has been duly tried and convicted by a jury of his peers. Nothing "alleged" about it anymore.
The thief was Turkish, was buried there and his REGULAR HOBBY was stealing stuff.
On multiple continents.
As a guest.
Your post is irrelevant since he was convicted.
Like I said he was hunting over a baited trap.
“Trespass and theft are not legal grounds for use of lethal force in any state,”
Trespass (in an occupied dwelling) and just the suspicion of ANY other crime is grounds for the use of lethal force in Colorado.
He should have just locked his garage door if he was so afraid of being ripped off and or just settled for video evidence.
I guess that was just too GD simple.
If I wanted to protect the beer in my garage, I’d just shut the door and turn on the motion detector light.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.