Retired SWAT officer acquitted in movie theater shooting

[left-of-center2012]

A jury in Florida has acquitted a retired police SWAT commander of murder and assault charges for fatally shooting a fellow moviegoer during an argument over cellphone use, news outlets report. Deliberations in the trial began Friday and the jury returned its verdict late that night.

Defense attorneys contended that retired Tampa police Capt. Curtis Reeves feared for his life when he pulled his gun and shot Chad Oulson in the 2014 movie theater altercation.

A Florida prosecutor told jurors Friday that a retired police SWAT commander fatally shot a fellow moviegoer because he threw popcorn in his face during an argument over cellphone use, angering him because it violated his self-image as an “alpha male.”

Read more: https://www.heraldonline.com/news/nation-world/national/article258780708.html

https://www.courttv.com/news/retired-swat-officer-acquitted-in-movie-theater-shooting/

[lpbk2713]

1. Wired too tight.

His "self-image" should have been deprogrammed by his former employer on his retirement.

[Lydiarose]

2. Unbelievable!!!

No way this is justice!

[Dreampuff]

3. Thank you for posting this.

I watched the results of the verdict Friday night because I had followed this from the beginning and also watched as much of the trial as I could. Once again, I have totally lost faith in our justice system and my heart just breaks for Chad Oulson's survivors. This happened about 35 mi from here.

Somehow they must have known he was going to be freed Friday night because his daughter got married Saturday and he walked her down the aisle and they all partied. His final sentences yet to come and I honestly believe that.

[Dreampuff]

4. I just wanted to add that on the Vinny Politan show Friday night,

There was a comment made that five of the six jurors have concealed weapons permits and more than likely could see themselves in that same situation. Hopefully those five will just stay in Pasco county.