Judge Denies Change Of Venue In Kaarma Trial

A Missoula District Court Judge denied a motion to move the trial of a man charged with shooting a German exchange student out of Missoula County.

Eighteen-year-old Diren Dede was shot and killed in Markus Kaarma’s garage in April.

KECI-TV reports District Judge Ed McLean ruled Kaarma and his attorney failed to show that news reports about Dede’s death were inflammatory or that they served to create a public reaction that would prevent Kaarma from receiving a fair trial.

The ruling, issued that week, says any potential jurors who could not set aside their opinions should be identified and challenged during jury questioning.

Kaarma pleaded not guilty to deliberate homicide on May 21st. Dede was in Kaarma’s garage during an apparent burglary attempt in the early morning of April 27th.

Kaarma’s trial is set for December.