Posted on 02/26/2022 6:01:53 AM PST by conservative98
The retired Florida police captain who fatally shot a man inside a movie theater in 2014 was acquitted of murder by a jury late Friday.
Curtis Reeves, 79, was charged with second-degree murder after he gunned down 43-year-old Chad Oulson during a matinee screening of “Lone Survivor” in suburban Pasco County.
Defense lawyers and prosecutors were in agreement that Reeves asked Oulson to stop texting during the movie previews — which started an argument that ended with the former Tampa police captain opening fire.
Reeves pleaded not guilty on the grounds of self-defense.
His lawyers successfully argued that police training informed Reeves’ decision to open fire, as he believed his life was in danger when the victim threw his cellphone at his face and appeared ready to climb over the seat and attack him.
Reeves “had more knowledge, more experience, more study in that area than anyone in this courtroom,” defense attorney Richard Escobar said. “It’s a dangerous world.”
Prosecutors countered that Reeves’ ego was bruised when Oulson threw popcorn in his face, and there was no real threat.
“In his entire career that is the most he has ever been scared? Absolutely unreal,” prosecutor Scott Rosenwasser said of the former homicide bureau, fugitive apprehension and SWAT team commander.
“He didn’t fear anything.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
I’m also at odds with some here.
So, I guess I’m satisfied that there’s precedent for me to murder an unarmed person who throws their phone at me if I can make a convincing argument that ‘he was gonna attack me with his hands’.
Oh, wait: I’m not retired LEO with all the right connections. /s
He never would have provoked Oulson if he wasn’t armed, which is EXACTLY the case a prosecutor in my state would make against any armed citizen who killed an unarmed person, and a fundamental ‘morality’ which guides all of my decisions.
Obviously Reeves lives by a different standard.
For the record, Reeves was convicted, he appealed, the ‘stand your ground law’ shifted the burden of proof to the prosecution, he got a biased jury IN THE SAME JURISDICTION and the rest is history.
Anyone who believes this was justifiable homicide is a dumbass.
Reeves is an embarrassment to the profession and one who will be judged for his actions.
Actually, I’m old. If a young man comes at me with only his hands, and I’m armed, he’s gonna get shot.
Period.
Not sure what is up with ghetto types, but they always harass and throw rukus in movie theater. It is like a place of predatorial predilection apparently for them. They do not care about watching the movie, just upsetting people.
The other place I saw that happen were drunken British soccer fans going for a pause in a theater in Germany.
“Retired Florida cop who killed man in movie theater for texting acquitted of murder”
Correction:
“Retired Florida cop who killed man during confrontation in movie theater acquitted of murder”
I hate how the MSM feels the need to sensationalize headlines. It is deceptive. Their headline implies that he approached someone texting in the theater and shot him.
No wonder that people have lost confidence in the MSM.
Same here and the fact I’m older and my body cannot withstand any battering due to a blood issue. I’m not going to ever allow an altercation to go to blows. Either I walk or run away or if that’s not possible the aggressor will eat hot lead. A strike to my midsection could be fatal.
“Curtis Reeves, 79, was charged with second-degree murder after he gunned down 43-year-old Chad Oulson during a matinee screening of “Lone Survivor” in suburban Pasco County.”
Well, in his defense, it is a good movie.
Pretty silly reason for a young guy to lose his life, but he had to show the 80 year old who was boss! Just no other options.
Once you engage, you can never really know the possible variables that may present.
Trayvon was confident that he could take Zimmerman too.
Fake news headline
….you mean to tell me that anyone believes headlines anymore. “Wear your Mask” BidenWins” “Trump says”.
Trayvon was confident that he could take Zimmerman too.
In nature, bigger and stronger always wins. Except for fleas. And an armed victim ready to fire back.
I take my hat off in a theater, but then, I’m civil and not rude.
Yep. And a favorite quote: Old age and treachery will always beat youth and exuberance.
And to the young thug lying in a pool of his own blood, your very act of being armed and using it is “treachery”.
“Dude, you weren’t supposed to be able to defend yourself!”
“Trayvon was confident that he could take Zimmerman too.”
What bias compels you to compare oil & water?
All I know from this story is that Chad Oulson won’t be causing a problem in another theater, throwing popcorn on anyone or trying to assault anyone again. Ever.
Bias?!? What are you trying to say?
A younger, stronger man decided to hand out an asskicking to someone they thought had insulted or disrespected him.
Did not account on the planned victim having a weapon for protection. Exactly the same.
Why do I feel that spelling it out for you will result in a knot on my forehead from banging it on my table?
But the worst part of it is that there are probably some here who agree with you.
Pathetic.
Just ask yourself - is this was john doe that shot someone for throwing popcorn in his face, what would you think?
i did not know about the cellphone
he was assaulted and responded appropriately
So your amazing logic is just so amazing that you can’t be bothered to explain out.
You need to keep it under wraps because it’s so solid. Cool.
Oh. And it was a justified shoot.
Reeves acquitted.
Zimmerman acquitted.
Rittenhouse acquitted.
But you know better, right.
Mental note: Being big makes one more “shootable” by the small. The bigger the difference in size, the more shootable the big guy.
I find it funny that the same people who will accuse the main stream media of being fake news will buy what they’re selling and do no research at all before forming an opinion. This case is a prime example. I did not watch the trial, but I watched Andrew Branca’s summary every day. The jury reached its not guilty verdict because, after seeing the real evidence, they had no choice.
Oil & water are both liquids and reflect light off the surface. To say that they’re “exactly the same” is simpleton. Asinine. Analogies are just as over your head as the facts of your cited comparison.
Reeves: White armed provocateur, no authority.
Zimmerman: Hispanic armed victim, with authority.
Oulson: White unarmed victim.
Martin: Black unarmed provocateur.
Reeves: Claims defense, no wounds.
Zimmerman: Claims defense, multiple wounds.
Oulson: Deceased, no evidence of attack.
Martin: Deceased, evidence of attack.
Reeves: Provocateur/shooter, police privilege, no authority.
Zimmerman: Authority/shooter.
Oulson: Bystander/victim, at worst anti-social alpha male, no criminal history, witnesses supported the only aggression was thrown popcorn, evidence supported Oulson’s wife’s testimony, including video surveillance.
Martin: Provocateur/victim, black privilege, criminal history, no witnesses. Evidence supported justified shooting (despite media bias).
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