Curtis Reeves Trial

I wrote about this case before, and it looks like the wheels of justice and continuing to grind away, but in my own arrogant opinion a fossilized snail could overtake these wheels at the first turn.



Trial Date Set For Man Accused Of Fatally Shooting Another Man Inside Florida Movie Theater

From the article:

Curtis Reeves Jr., 77, faces a second-degree murder charge in the trial slated to begin Oct. 5 in Pasco County. Prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed the trial would likely last three weeks.

Reeves had sought protection from prosecution under Florida’s “stand your ground” law, but after a two-week hearing in 2017, a judge ruled he was not eligible for immunity. Shortly thereafter, the state changed the law, switching the burden of proof from the defense to the prosecution. Reeves’ attorneys argued the change warranted a redo of the hearing. So the case was stagnant as the judge waited for guidance from the Florida Supreme Court about whether a new hearing was required.

Reeves, a retired Tampa police captain, was 71 when the shooting took place. He will be 78 if the trial starts as scheduled later this year.

May, 2019 - Curtis Reeves Chad Oulson Shooting - Slow Progress

From the post:

Curtis Reeves, a 71 year old retired police captain, was at the Cobb Grove 16 Theater in Wesley Chapel, Florida with his wife. Chad Oulson, a 41 year old, physically fit, hardworking man, was at the same movie with his wife, and was sitting in front of Reeves. During the pregame show Chad was texting someone, Curtis objected, and words were exchanged. The short of it is that Reeves had a container of popcorn which Oulson seized and threw at him.

So Reeves shot Oulson with a .380 automatic and killed him.

That was in January of 2014, about six years ago.

This is ridiculous.  Reeves was too used to being obeyed instantly and with enthusiasm.  Failure to do so resulted in a good old fashioned hickory massage, as provided by Reeves and his partner(s) in his early years, and by the officers at his beck and call in his later years.  Stepping outside to settle things was not an option for Reeves as Oulson would have adjusted his attitude in a New York minute, leaving a schoolyard bruise and 200-plus pounds of wounded pride behind him.

So Reeves shot and killed him.  That'll teach him!

Preparation for this trial might take a few weeks, and the trial itself three to five days.  Sentence Reeves to 25 to life and let that be an end to it.  Instead, because of Reeves's background in law enforcement, we'll get infinite delays that will end with Reeves being placed on community control for five years, a few thousand hours of community service, and a hefty fine.  No jail time, though.