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Retired Tampa Police Captain to Use “Stand Your Ground” as Defense After Shooting Man over Texting

HeadlineOct 30, 2015

In Florida, a retired Tampa police captain accused of fatally shooting a man at a movie theater after a dispute about texting is reportedly planning to use Florida’s controversial “Stand Your Ground” law in his defense. Police say former Captain Curtis Reeves began arguing with fellow movie-goer Chad Oulson about his texting. Reeves claims Oulson then hit him in the face, although witnesses—including Reeves’ own wife—dispute that claim. Reeves’ lawyers plan to argue that the shooting was justified under the Stand Your Ground law because Reeves had “reasonable belief” his life was in danger. Both Reeves and Oulson are white.

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