Ladbible X Whatsapp
  • iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Ex-Police Officer Who Killed Man For Texting During Movie Is Cleared Of Murder

Home> News

Published 11:15 27 Feb 2022 GMT

Ex-Police Officer Who Killed Man For Texting During Movie Is Cleared Of Murder

He was cleared of second-degree murder on Friday

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: US News, Crime

Claire Reid
Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

Advert

Advert

Advert

A retired police officer who shot and killed a man after an argument in a cinema has been acquitted of second-degree murder. 

Former Florida cop Curtis Reeves, 79, fatally shot Chad Oulson, 43, in 2014 after the pair became embroiled in an argument over Oulson using his phone to message his kid’s babysitter during the previews. 

The pair got into a spat and when Oulson threw his popcorn at Reeves, the retired police captain pulled out his gun and shot him in the chest. 

Oulson’s wife Nicole was also struck in the hand. 

Advert

Alamy

Reeves said he feared Oulson would ‘beat the hell’ out of him and in a police interview, he said: “I don't think I've ever had anybody get in my face like that and it scared the crap out of me.”

He previously attempted to have the case dropped, seeking protection under the state’s controversial ‘stand your ground’ law, but was denied by a judge and the case went to court. 

Testifying in court, Nicole Oulson relived the incident - telling the courtroom: “I felt like my hand was blown off. 

“He [Chad Oulson] took a couple of steps and then collapsed. I knew he was way worse than me.”

Advert

She also testified that her husband didn’t use profanity during the exchange. 

Facebook

She said: “He said, 'What's your problem? The movie hasn't even started yet’.”

After this Reeves left to complain to the cinema’s manager before returning, where the argument picked up again. 

Video footage shown to the jury appeared to show Oulson grabbing Reeves’ popcorn and throwing it at him. In response, Reeves pulled out his gun and fired a single shot.

Advert

On Friday, Reeves was cleared of second-degree murder and aggravated battery charges. 

Speaking after the verdict he said: “It was a sad day for everybody on both sides. It never should have happened. I never wanted it to happen.”

Alamy

He was seen laughing and joking with the press, while saying he was glad the eight-year-long legal battle was over. 

He said: “It was trying, not just for me, but for my family. 

Advert

“It was a tough time for all of us with the restrictions and all the things that went on over the years. It was very difficult to deal with.”

He went on to say he was now looking forward to his daughter’s wedding the next day. 

Oulson’s widow Nicole wept when the jury’s verdict was read out - she and other family members gathered in the carpark of Dade County courthouse, with the Daily Mail reporting they could be heard to say ‘I don't understand. I don't understand' as they cried and hugged one another. 

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
4 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Everything we know about China's Ozempic and Wegovy rival to help people with weight loss

    Several other weight loss jabs are being developed in China

    News
  • 2 hours ago

    Top adult star reveals 'really tough' impact new UK porn laws will have on industry

    UK adult content creator, Jess West, said new porn laws and social media are hurting the industry

    News
  • 2 hours ago

    'Ghost children' siblings aged 6 and 9 rescued from isolated farm with no contact from outside world

    Police came to warn them about a flood and found two children who had never been registered

    News
  • 4 hours ago

    Chilling CCTV footage emerges as police search for victim's head after reality star girlfriend charged with murder

    Tamika Sueann Rose Chesser had been a former reality TV contestant

    News
  • Police hunting murder suspect who 'may still be armed' after three women killed inside house
  • Man who planned and executed ‘perfect murder’ was caught by police after making tiny mistake
  • Casey Anthony makes controversial announcement 13 years after being cleared of daughter's murder
  • Man was 'killed and dismembered by ex-wife' after revealing 'plans for their divorce'