Florida judge denies 'stand your ground' defense in movie theater shooting

Retired police officer shot man in theater over texting

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – A Florida judge has denied a "`stand your ground" defense for a retired Florida police officer who fatally shot a man in a movie theater over texting.

Judge Susan Barthle ruled Friday that 74-year-old Curtis Reeves must stand trial in the death of 43-year-old Chad Oulson. Reeves is charged with second-degree murder.

Reeves said he shot Oulson after he was either punched or hit in the face with a cellphone. The judge said a videotape of the events that afternoon didn't support his testimony.

The incident happened in a movie theater in a suburb north of Tampa, after the two men got into an argument because Oulson was texting his daughter's day care during the movie previews.

Reeves is free on bond.


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