MISSOULA — A Missoula man who is serving a 70-year prison sentence for killing a German exchange student in his garage last spring has denied any negligence in response to a lawsuit filed by the teen’s family.
Markus Kaarma also argued he was immune from civil damages because he was acting in defense of his house and family last April 27 when he shot 17-year-old Diren Dede.
Dede’s family sued Kaarma and his common-law wife Janelle Pflager in February, seeking damages for medical and funeral costs, pain and suffering and loss of future wages.
Pflager’s response, also filed Friday, denies she had a duty to stop Kaarma from trapping Dede in the garage and firing the shots.
The Missoulian reports both Kaarma and Pflager argue Dede was negligent for trespassing in their garage.