A retired police officer who gunned down a married father who threw popcorn at him will use Florida’s “stand your ground” law as his defense when he goes on trial for murder.
The lawyer for Curtis Reeves confirmed that the retired Tampa police captain would use the controversial law to claim self-defense in the fatal Jan. 13, 2014, shooting, reported the Tampa Bay Times.
The 73-year-old Reeves was charged with second-degree murder after he shot 43-year-old Chad Oulson to death because he refused to stop sending a text message to his 2-year-old daughter’s day care provider.
Reeves’ attorney has maintained all along that video recorded inside the Wesley Chapel movie theater will show that Oulson attacked the older man first — causing Reeves to fear for his life.
Defendants must show they had a “reasonable belief” that they were threatened before using force — even if no such threat actually existed.
Reeves told investigators that he feared for his safety when he was struck in the face with an object that was later determined was popcorn, but his defense attorney suggested may have been a more dangerous object.
"May have been a more dangerous object?"
Once the popcorn actually hits your face are you not then aware that it was NOT a more dangerous object?
The idea that this asshole could get away with murder by claiming that he was terrified of flying popcorn sickens me.
But hey, this IS Florida.l
We are planning a winter trip to Florida this year but are having second thoughts because of this particular law. What if a gun nut takes offence over our Canadian accents or feels threatened by our Liberal, read, 'Socialist' political beliefs? Seems that in the Sunshine State it doesn't take much for some armed individual to take a person out. Lets hope in this case the retired police officer's defence will not stand, Gryphen, and he will not be getting away with murder.
ReplyDeleteFlorida is on my "never visit" list and I'm an American citizen. I wouldn't go to Florida for a million bucks because I don't want to waste my money in a state where human life has so little value.
DeleteBeaglemom
The unpopped kernals are deadly weapons. What if one hit him in the eye?
ReplyDeleteOh c'mon. When was the last time you found unpopped kernals in your movie popcorn? It doesn't happen and you're an idiot who needs to sit down and shut up instead of defending a cold blooded murderer.
DeleteI strongly suspect 9:44 is being facetious, for what it's worth.
DeleteI wonder what kind of scars popcorn shrapnel leaves. That's some heavy duty objects to the face. You know a little salt to the eye can kill you.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many of these I can't keep them straight anymore. Is this the fuddpucker that walked out to his vehicle to fetch his weapon? Then went back in?
The only thing the popcorn pitcher hurt was this old fart's pride. Feared for his life, my ass. What kind of pansy assed so called man would even admit to fearing for his life over popcorn? What a coward!
If he claims he was "in fear of his life", he should have to produce the pants he was wearing at the time, and have them analyzed for urine stains.
ReplyDeleteYou mean Piece of Shit stains, don't you?
DeleteWaiting for Brancy to side with the retired police officer.
ReplyDeleteMoral: Stay out of Florida and away from pistol-packin' geriatrics.
ReplyDeleteIt's no wonder that cops are being killed throughout our nation when they play games like this. Plus, we have so much proof (videos) that they shoot and kill the unarmed black and brown folks (our minorities) throughout the country.
ReplyDeleteI know, I'm not surprised!
OT- What a Fucking liar:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/10/29/inside-ben-carson-s-cancer-scam.html
http://crooksandliars.com/2015/10/ben-carson-mgrs-bombshell-carson-did-have
THIS TOO:
Deletehttp://www.salon.com/2015/10/30/only_the_gop_does_this_how_wingnut_grifters_hijacked_the_republican_party_wrecked_the_political_discourse/
Jim is "Right" again:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/Stonekettle/posts/911882082180529i
Just a good thing for that school girl this week that she wasn't at the movie and sitting next to the man that "got it" for being bad from a "good guy with a gun" Old Fucker and a total ammosexual complex. Can you say "WTF" ?
DeleteWhen will we ever learn?>>
ReplyDeletehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/nakisha-m-lewis/if-girls-of-color-are-not_b_8425922.html
I am so fucking glad I moved out of that cesspool they call Florida and came back up north. 13 years I spent down there.
ReplyDeleteGryphen, you've obviously never had a piece of popcorn hull stuck in your eye. And what about hot-buttered weaponized assault popcorn?
ReplyDeleteRemember, in every firearms death in America there are two sides to the story. We've heard the angry old man's version of events and now we just have to be patient until we get the victim's story.