Curtis Reeves Takes the Stand

It was the testimony most anticipated during this Stand Your Ground hearing in Dade City.

Curtis Reeves talks about the events of January 13th, 2014, when he shot and killed fellow movie theater patron Chad Oulson during a dispute over Oulson's texting.

Reeves testifies that he "politely" asked Oulson to turn off his cell phone during the movie previews, a request Reeves says was met with cursing.  Reeves told the theater manager and returned to his seat to find that Oulson had already put the phone away.

Reeves says he made a comment to Oulson, which prompted Oulson to get out of his seat and confront Reeves, at one point, trying to climb over the seats.  

Reeves says he felt trapped as Oulson appeared to get ready to punch Reeves.  Then, Reeves says he felt a glowing object like a cell phone hurled at his head.  That's when Reeves reached for his pistol and shot Oulson.  

Asked by his defense attorney if he felt his life in danger, Reeves says "no question about it".

Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Susan Barthle will ultimately decide if the state's Stand Your Ground law applies in this second degree murder case.



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