For killing a 17-year-old German exchange student in April 2014, Montana resident Markus Kaarma was sentenced to 70 years prison term by the Missouri County District Court in Montana on Thursday.

A motion sensor alerted Kaarma that someone entered his garage. He got his shotgun and shot four times the unarmed intruder, Diren Dede, killing the German student, reports the San Francisco Chronicle.

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The court found him guilty of deliberate homicide after three weeks of trial. Kaarma won't qualify for parole in 20 years.

Missoula District Judge Ed McClean told Kaarma, "(Your anxiety) doesn't excuse the anguish you have caused. Anxiety isn't an excuse," quoted the Missoulan. The judge pointed out that Kaarma didn't protect his house but went hunting, using a 12-gauge shotgun that was loaded to go after somebody, not to protect his family.

Germans were angered by the brutal death of Dede, which raised questions about the state's 30-year-old castle doctrine that permits residents to use deadly force to protect their property and family.

Dede stole Kaarma's grass, which angered the homeowner. McLean notes that Kaarma was mad at the world, evident in his actions. Kaarma's home had been burgled in the past, which explains why he purchased a weapon. The judge said he recognized those incidents led to the tragic death of the youth, but McLean pointed out that burglars don't break into locked cars or entered closed garages.

Lawyers of Kaarma said they will appeal the court decision, reports Huffington Post. Before he was sentenced, Kaarma said he was sorry for his actions that resulted in the death of Dede. While he stressed that his action was spurred by what he perceived as necessary to protect his family and himself, Kaarma said, "I hope no one else is put in that position again."

Tagsshooting, Montana, exchange student, homicide