Kaarma’s five-member defense team argued that he shot Dede in self-defense after a ring of teenage burglars targeted his home. Ryan gave the closing arguments Tuesday, indicating that Dede had every intention of stealing possessions from Kaarma’s garage when he went out for a walk with his friend and fellow exchange student, Robby Pazmino, that evening.

“What he was doing was going to violate the sanctity of someone’s home,” Ryan said. “He has no business being where he’s at. He’s up to no good. He’s looking to go stealing something.”

He suggested Dede, Pazmino and a third unidentified person were involved in an orchestrated attempt to burglarize Kaarma’s home, using testimony from a neighbor who told the court that he observed an “exodus” of cars from the neighborhood after the shooting.

The defense also attempted to paint a portrait of a botched police investigation, and Ryan quizzed many police officers, including lead detective Guy Baker, about apparent lapses at the scene and his own qualifications.

Investigation

After the verdict, Baker said he had faith in the investigation all along. He also said he aims to improve police work in every instance.