Stand Your Ground Denied In Movie Theater Shooting

LAND O’ LAKES, FL — Former Tampa Police Capt. Curtis Reeves Jr. will face a jury trial in the 2014 shooting death of Chad Oulson in a Wesley Chapel movie theater. Pasco-Pinellas Circuit Judge Susan Barthle denied Reeves’ “stand your ground” motion Friday morning.

Reeves and his attorney, Richard Escobar, put forth the motion saying Reeves acted in self-defense when he shot and killed the 43-year-old father from Land O’ Lakes. In her order, Barthle said Reeves’ “testimony was significantly at odds with the physical evidence and other witness testimony.”

The ruling follows a two-week hearing during which the defense argued Reeves was within the bounds of Florida’s controversial stand your ground law when he pulled out his gun in the Cobb Grove 16 cinemas on Jan. 13, 2014. Reeves and his wife, Vivian, were at the theater to see a matinee of “Lone Survivor.”

Before the movie began, a dispute between Reeves and Oulson broke out over Oulson’s cellphone use. Reeves left to report Oulson to theater management, both sides of the case agree. The story differs upon Reeves’ return. The defense has said Oulson stood to confront Reeves. Surveillance video shows Oulson throwing popcorn at Reeves. The shot was fired a moment later.

Reeves faces second-degree murder and aggravated battery charges. A date for the jury trial has not yet been set.

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