The Markus Kaarma defense team has filed its final response to the Montana Supreme Court in its effort to gain a new trial for their client who was convicted of deliberate homicide in 2015.

Nate Holloway of the Paul Ryan Law Firm in Missoula has been handling the appeal process with the court, as briefs and replies have been issued from each side. On Wednesday, Holloway filed his final reply to the prosecution.

"We filed our final reply brief today in response to the state's brief that was filed about six weeks ago," Holloway said. "This one is a little bit shorter, but it is really dialed into the issues. So, as of now, the briefing is done."

Kaarma is currently serving a 70 year sentence in the Montana State Prison after being convicted of deliberate homicide in the shotgun slaying of 17 year-old German exchange student Diren Dede.

Holloway said the final step in the process now lies with the Montana Supreme Court.

"The court will now decide how many justices will be part of the decision, and it will most likely be five or seven , and whether or not there will be oral arguments which are not mandatory in Montana," he said. "If they want more information on this matter then they'll ask for oral arguments, I don't know where that would be, it could be anywhere if it does occur. So, the written arguments are done, and it's essentially ready for decision."

Holloway said he believes the court's final decision could be handed down sometime in the spring of 2017.

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