Retired police officer discovered not responsible in lethal capturing at movie show

PASCO COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – Curtis Reeves, the person who shot and killed Chad Oulson at a movie show in Florida in 2014, was discovered not responsible on all prices Friday evening.

After over three hours of deliberation, a six-person jury returned to the courtroom Friday night and delivered its verdict. Reeves was acquitted on prices of second-degree homicide and aggravated battery of Chad Oulson’s spouse, Nicole.

Reeves has by no means denied capturing Oulson, however has maintained that he was appearing in self-defense.

The retired police captain spent a number of hours on the witness stand Thursday, telling a Pasco County jury about what he says occurred the day he shot Oulson within the theater.

He additionally testified about his profession in legislation enforcement. Reeves helped set up the SWAT crew for the Tampa Police Department and ended his profession as the top of safety for Busch Gardens.

He advised the jury he had by no means drawn his weapon and shot anybody in his years of service as a police officer and says he by no means encountered rage from anybody the way in which he did from Oulson the day of the capturing.

On that day in 2014, Reeves and his spouse, in addition to Oulson and his spouse, had attended a screening of the movie “Lone Survivor.” Oulson, who was sitting in a row in entrance of Reeves, took out his mobile phone in the course of the previews to textual content his daughter’s day care, the Associated Press reported. Reeves advised him to cease, then went to complain to the administration earlier than coming again to search out that Oulson had put away his telephone, in response to the outlet.

Afterward, the 2 exchanged phrases, however the argument escalated to the purpose the place Reeves claimed he felt his life was threatened. Prosecutor Scott Rosenwasser, nonetheless, argued that Reeves’ “alpha male mindset” prompted him to shoot Oulson after Oulson had thrown popcorn in Reeves’ face, the AP reported.

Following the decision, Reeves counseled his protection crew for doing a “incredible job in bringing out the reality.”

“This is nice,” Reeves mentioned after strolling out of the courthouse a free man. “It’s been a protracted eight years and I couldn’t anticipate it to be over with.”

“I believe this victory this acquittal sends a message to the group and that message is that you may’t abuse the aged,” Reeves’ protection legal professional Rick Escobar mentioned, “and we believed all alongside that Mr. Reeves that day was attacked within the theater and he did the precise factor defending himself.”

Chad Oulson’s spouse Nicole left visibly emotional and didn’t cease to talk with reporters.