MISSOULA, Montana: The parents of a 17-year-old German exchange student who was shot to death by a Montana man say their dreams are broken.

Celal and Gulcin Dede testified Thursday about the impact of their son Diren’s death.

A judge will consider their comments when sentencing Markus Kaarma, who was convicted of deliberate homicide Wednesday in the teen’s killing. Celal Dede says his family no long has plans for the future and that he and his wife have been unable to work. He says their lives have been turned upside down since their son died.

Cheers erupted in the packed courtroom when the verdict was read Wednesday in the case against Markus Kaarma, 30. The case generated outcry in Germany, where a Hamburg prosecutor said this week his office was conducting its own investigation.

Kaarma shot Dede in the early hours of April 27 after being alerted to an intruder by motion sensors. Witnesses testified Kaarma fired four shotgun blasts at Dede, who was unarmed. The teen’s parents were in the courtroom and hugged and cried at the outcome, while others applauded. Kaarma remained stoic as he was taken into custody at the end of the hearing. He faces a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison when he is sentenced Feb. 11. His lawyers plan to appeal.