Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Judge Denies 'Stand Your Ground' Defense In Pasco Shooting

Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.
p1 lawyer
/
The Florida Channel
Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.

A Florida judge has denied a "'stand your ground" defense for a retired Tampa police officer who fatally shot a man in a Pasco County 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 Wesley Chapel 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.