Posted on 02/24/2022 5:59:34 PM PST by algore
Curtis Reeves, 79, testified in court Thursday that he shot Chad Oulson on January 13, 2014 out of fear after Oulson started 'yelling a lot of profanities and threats' and had thrown a cellphone and popcorn at him. Reeves had confronted Oulson about his cellphone use during the movie previews.
'I am looking up at this guy and [he] looked like a monster,' Reeves told the courtroom. 'I was completely defenseless. I have never encountered someone exhibiting that amount of uncontrolled anger and rage
Reeves claims he shot Oulson during the matinee showing of Mark Wahlberg's Lone Survivor in self-defense. He faces a potential life sentence if convicted of second-degree murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Testifying in Pasco County - located north of Tampa - on Thursday, Reeves said he fired his .380 handgun because he believed he had no other choice, saying his seated position, his then-71 years and his poor health made it impossible to defend himself with his hands.
Prosecutor Scott Rosenwasser started his cross-examination by asking Reeves if he killed Oulson out of rage or 'blind fury.'
'No sir, I killed him out of fear,' the defendant replied.
The state also questioned how Reeves expected a jury to believe he had been struck by Oulson despite having no marks on his body.
'You're testifying that six-foot-four Chad Oulson is full of rage, is virtually on top of you, and he punches you or hits you hard with a cellphone - so much so that you're dazed - yet you easily bruise, but there's not a single mark on your face.
That's what you want this jury to believe?' Rosenwasser asked.
'Yes I do,' Reeves replied, adding that Oulson knocked his glasses askew.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
This guy has managed to put off this trial for eight years now. I think he needs to face jail time. I’ve been watching this locally now for a while and have been wondering what happened to his trial and now he’s finally back in court.
Not guilty.
Never heard of this case. Outcome should prove interesting.
Kind of lost your cool there didn’t you Mr Karen? 🤪
Not guilty.
Case dismissed.
What’s supposed to be his motive for shooting the guy if not self-defense? And how many times did he shoot him?
Reeves had confronted Oulson about his cellphone use during the movie previews.
Karen
Negative.
Confronted for texting?
Hang the text nazi 🤪
OK, the guy was texting in a movie theater. Reeves told him to knock it off. The guy got mouthy with him and tossed some popcorn at him and that was it. Reeves pulled his gun and shot him. I’ve been a concealed carry permit holder for decades, I think having popcorn thrown at you and being shouted are not grounds to pull my gun and shoot someone. And Reeves was a former officer. I think he should’ve had known better.
When I carry I always feel that the responsibility is very high. I’m certainly not going to pull my gun out because somebody cursed at me or called me a name. Even if they get in my face that gun is not coming out until I feel there’s absolutely no other recourse.
And your reason being? If you need more details see my post number 12.
When armed you’re supposed to avoid all confrontations if at all possible. He should have changed seats.
Guilty. Reasonable fear is not an allowance to murder. The lethal force/grave injury equation wasn’t approached let alone met based on the presentation of facts as we know them.
The jury will decide whether we agree or not.
Have you watched the trial? I have and I now believe that the defendant should be found not guilty and that the prosecution failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he did not act in self defense as Florida law requires where self defense is an issue.
The prosecutors have been working hard to mislead and deceive the jury stretching the boundaries of ethical conduct in my opinion. The judge will issue the instructions to the jury tomorrow and then the jury will deliberate.
Once.
Thanks for the info. But the story said something about the popcorn guy sitting on the shooter’s chest beating him. B.S.?
“Even if they get in my face that gun is not coming out until I feel there’s absolutely no other recourse.”
That might be too late.
I’m 63 and hit my arm with a comb straight on sideways and no visual impression was made.
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