MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — The parents of a 17-year-old German exchange student who was shot to death by a Montana man say their dreams are broken.
Celal and Gulcin Dede (DAY'-Day) testified Thursday about the impact of their son Diren's death.
A judge will consider their comments when sentencing Markus Kaarma, who was convicted of deliberate homicide Wednesday in the teen's killing.
Celal Dede says his family no long has plans for the future and that he and his wife have been unable to work. He says their lives have been turned upside down since their son died.
Kaarma shot Diren Dede in the early hours of April 27 after being alerted to an intruder by motion sensors. Witnesses testified Kaarma fired four shotgun blasts at Dede, who was unarmed.