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A retired police captain will stand trial in Florida on Monday eight years after he allegedly shot dead a man for texting in a movie theater.
Curtis Reeves, now 79, is accused of fatally shooting 43-year-old Chad Oulson in Wesley Chapel, just outside Tampa, during a showing of Mark Wahlberg’s “Lone Survivor” in 2014.
Prosecutors claim Reeves became irate when Oulson, who was sitting in the row in front, was texting during the movie’s previews.
Reeves allegedly left the theater to complain about Oulson, but the argument only escalated when he returned.
Authorities said Oulson threw popcorn at the older man right before Reeves pulled out his .380-caliber handgun and shot him.
The bullet also struck Oulson’s wife, Nicole, in the hand, according to investigators.
The second-degree murder case had been delayed for several years after Reeves argued that he was justified under the state’s “stand your ground” law because he feared for his life.
Reeves has remained under house arrest throughout the lengthy delays and appeals in his case.
He served the Tampa Bay Police Department for close to 30 years before retiring in 1993.
Six jurors and four alternates were chosen during a four-day jury selection process last week.
The case is being heard in front of Pasco County Judge Susan Barthle.
Reeves is facing life in prison if he’s convicted.
With Post wires
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