Marcus Karma News Today

>> im craig melvin. >> and im natalie morales >> and this is dateline. ♪ ♪ ♪ >> he was definitely charismatic. >> he was the new kid in town, super popular, all about adventure. >> this kid was like, awesome. >> he jumped right in th culture. >> he liked to show off to the girls. >> they were the neighbors just down the block, of family in fear. >> they had their vehicles broken into, she was scared. >> someone had been sneaking into their home and now someon was in their garage....

And after eight hours over two days, they returned to court. >> we, the jury, find the defendant, marcus hendrik karma, guilty. [ cheers ] >> the courtroom erupted in relief. his parents still felt raw over his death. >> nothing brings darren back, so its heartbreaking someone felt compelled to do this. >> would you be host to another foreign exchange student? >> no. my heart is too broken. i couldnt do it. >> two months after the verdict, marcus karma addressed dearen dedes family at the hearin...

See. >> all of that was connected through a smartphone app so when the motion sensors were triggered, an alert would allow them to view live video of their garage. that saturday night karma said they were trying to relax after putting their son to bed. >> i had recorded the movie "lincoln." we were watching that. about one-third of the way through that, im not sure what the time was. it was dark outside. you know, we went outside and had a smoke in the garage like we always do. we would usually ...

He knew there was a kid coming in his garage. he had a .12 gauge in his hands, and he waits. >> to counter the defenses suggestion to suggest that darren was a ring of thieves targeting marcus karma, investigators tracked down the tooenl teens who had hit karmas garage. the ones who took the cash, credit cards, and -- >> he had a big bong and a jar of weed and some alcohol. >> did you know a man named darren? >> not personally, no. >> to the best of your knowledge, was he involved in a burglary ...

Door, and i cant tell if its locked or unlocked, and im starting to shaichke at that po. the adrenaline is coming. oh, my god, this guy came back to the house. >> karma said his wife stayed back while he went out the front door and turned towards the garage. >> a few quick steps around my front. saw where my truck was parked with my butt touching my grill bar. thats where i stood. then she flipped on the light. >> karma told the detectives he was blinded by the sudden light and realized the only...

Student from germany had been shot and killed during an apparent burglary inside a neighbors garage in the quiet town of mizzoula, montana. now darren was dead, and police were investigating. >> does that happen a lot here? >> people shoot burglars who are in their homes? >> no. it doesnt. >> mizzoula police department detective guy baker had the case. soon he was interviewing the man who pulled the trigger. >> hi, marcus. im guy baker, a detective. >> karma, and his common law wife had just mov...

Castle law. you never asked you to like the law, and the judge says he doesnt either, but you have to follow the law. >> the defense insisted that marcus karma was guilty of nothing more than protecting his family. >> this is your house. the defendant was in your house as you choose to defend it. >> by the time the defense rested, those closest to darren thought that marcus karmas lawyers had redefined what this case was about. >> darren got lost in all of this, didnt it? >> a lot of the stuff i...

It does leave people feeling violated and angry. >> yes. i would agree. >> thats not uncommon. for people to be upset and extremely vigilant after a burglary. >> i would agree. its not. >> the more time that passed, the burglars at large, the more fearful marcus and janelle said they became. in part, because he was a seasonal firefighter and would have to travel for work soon, leaving mother and child alone for months. >> she was scared that marcus was going to be going off on a seasonal employm...

Death marcus karma went on trial for his murder. seeking justice for their son, darrens parents traveled from germany to a montana courtroom where they were befriended by the same group of kids who had loved their boy. >> a lot of us got the chance to meet his parents when they came, and they were really, really awesome. they were a lot like darren. >> his parents watched as the man who shot their son faced the charge of deliberate homicide. the karmas defense team led by attorney paul ryan, tha...

The story actually began with a burglary three weeks earlier, and then just ten days after that burglars returned. >> somebody had trespassed in their vehicles and in their garage, which was unlocked. >> cash, credit cards, and a cell phone were taken. marcus karma said he feared they were being targeted. >> it sucks, and to know that were being watched and targeted and knowing how hard it is for you guys to actually catch a burglar with no evidence. >> karma said they no longer felt safe in the...