An Experiment - Curtis Reeves Has Been Released

[hparsons]

Let's see how well we all "play together" on a topic that is sure to have some radically opposed views.

It seems to have gone largely unnoticed, but Curtis Reeves Jr, the former policemen that shot and killed another movie-goer in an altercation that started with an argument over texting, was released from jail on bail last month. Though our system is that a person is innocent until proven guilty, he'd been held without bail for the past six months. Though with restrictions, he's now home.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/criminal/appeals-court-sends-bail-issue-for-accused-movie-theater-shooter-back-to/2188116

[530ktm]

I am not familiar with this case but it seems as though shooting the guy was a bit extreme. We would have to know the extent of the altercation in order to really know what was happening, self defense or not. Either way, I think excessive force may have been involved with this one as it seems so many are. As far as the bail goes, our system always intrigues me with the way things happen.

[Bucfan11]

OK, I'll play. IMO, he should have never went to jail. If the other guy would not have attacked him, he would still be alive. I agree that excessive force was used by the guy who responded with violence to someone who made him mad.

[Hammer]

Excessive force, one guy is armed with a handgun the other ... Popcorn

[azsandrider]

Every person has a right to bail unless there is A LOT of evidence that the suspect is a flight risk. Since he is innocent until proven guilty, has no priors, is established in the community, and has paid the bail I don't see a problem. Better then the taxpayers paying for his stay and medical bills.

[orangecrate]

Did anyone read the original story on what happened. I can't see where texting should bother anyone. It is like very quiet... Or so I thought.

[hparsons]

It was quite the "hot topic" on ... another site. Basic story is that young guy was texting (yes, it's "quiet", but it also produces a very bright light inside a dark theater). Older guy (Reeves) asked him to quit. Young guy refused. Old guy (former cop, BTW) went to report him to management. When he returned, younger guy leaned over the chair yelling at him. Popcorn (and possibly a cell phone) got thrown at the older guy, and the older guy shot the younger guy.

[530ktm]

It was quite the "hot topic" on ... another site. Basic story is that young guy was texting (yes, it's "quiet", but it also produces a very bright light inside a dark theater). Older guy (Reeves) asked him to quit. Young guy refused. Old guy (former cop, BTW) went to report him to management. When he returned, younger guy leaned over the chair yelling at him. Popcorn (and possibly a cell phone) got thrown at the older guy, and the older guy shot the younger guy.

Hmmm, popcorn in the face is certainly worth getting shot I would think, but the cell phone is the deciding factor.

[hparsons]

Ahhh nice, a nibble.
My view isn't a matter of whether Reeves acted smart or not (I don't think he did), but the legalities involved.

First is the no-bail issue. He was never a flight risk. He should never have been held on a no-bail. It was nice to see an appellate judge decided that there was nothing "compelling" the original judge to hold him without bail.

Then there's the Florida laws that are involved in the actual incident. Florida law says that a person can use deadly force to defend themselves against a felony attack. Throwing anything (yes, even popcorn) at someone over 65 is a felony in Florida.

[oldguy]

He's either a flight risk or he's not. He's not been convicted of anything. Why not let him go home until the trial. He can always be hanged later lol

[wingsailor]

I thought I read that after the initial argument, Mr. Reeves left the theater and went to his vehicle to retrieve his firearm and then re-entered the theater to confront the texter. (Note: my memory ain't as good as it used to be.)

[flyerq68]

I thought I read that after the initial argument, Mr. Reeves left the theater and went to his vehicle to retrieve his firearm and then re-entered the theater to confront the texter. (Note: my memory ain't as good as it used to be.)

Being an x-cop, he probably already had the weapon. The speculation I heard was he did leave and return, but to complain to management about the texter. I guess we won't get anymore info on the story until there is either a trial, or all charges are dropped.

[azdryheat]

Flight risk or not, anyone accused of murder should never be let out of jail until proven innocent.

[hparsons]

Flight risk or not, anyone accused of murder should never be let out of jail until proven innocent.

Why? In this country, the "proof" has to go the other way around. He's innocent until proven guilty. Why should an innocent man be imprisoned?

[oldguy]

That is generally true of anyone accused of 1st degree murder. He's not he's accused of 2 degree

[Kit Carson]

Ahhh nice, a nibble.
My view isn't a matter of whether Reeves acted smart or not (I don't think he did), but the legalities involved.

First is the no-bail issue. He was never a flight risk. He should never have been held on a no-bail. It was nice to see an appellate judge decided that there was nothing "compelling" the original judge to hold him without bail.

Then there's the Florida laws that are involved in the actual incident. Florida law says that a person can use deadly force to defend themselves against a felony attack. Throwing anything (yes, even popcorn) at someone over 65 is a felony in Florida.

Well Mr. Parsons, perhaps one of the root causes of the mass exodus from the other forum is the very fact that most of us old ornery original members are basically conservative, honest, and hold simple values of life such as right over wrong to be of great value.

All laws in our nation have become corrupted by one thing or the other, and all cry out I am not responsible for my own actions, oh woe is me, I am not responsible.

It may well be that tossing a bucket of popcorn or a cell phone at someone is now called a felony, however when the law was made, that certainly was not its intent but like all things of our society laws do become corrupted and law does tend to provide rights to those who commit crimes and to place the victims into consequence always.

I would never harm anyone who tossed some popcorn at me, or gets mad and wants to yell at me. If they take a swing at me, then I must have pushed it a bit too far and deserve it, but still would only step back and grin, I certainly would not harm them.

Each day our society does accept many things that are simply wrong, and law does provide right to all things wrong. And each day we gradually allow our society to deteriorate to the point all the simple values of what is right are in fact thrown away.

Forget the law, it is simply not right to shoot a man who tosses some popcorn at you, it is not right to shoot a man who simply gets mad at you. To begin with actually it was not right for the guy with the cell phone to be using it in a movie house where common courtesy demands you not do so.

These cell phones, facebook and technology has taken over our lives. Each day I find that someone comments to me about respect over a cell phone, I will be talking to a customer and my phone will ring, I just keep attention on the person I am talking to and some of them say, I certainly appreciate the fact you did not stop to answer that phone.

Yep cell phones have taken over lives, people seem to not be able to lay them down, they use them as impersonal objects to take the place of face to face contact and a handshake.

This ornery ole fart still likes face to face contact and a handshake and uses a cell phone to simply say, Hellow how may I help you?

I would certainly never even entertain a thought of shooting someone over tossing of popcorn, or them getting mad and yelling at me. Now I might depending on if deserved or not aggravate them further, or I might simply apologize to them.

Yep we are daily flushing our old time values down the toilet, when we say, tossing popcorn is a felony and deserving of deadly action against another.

All of those afternoon childhood fist fights did put a different set of values into some of us, much different than the children today that are not allowed to develop values that contribute to society, versus values that tear it down.

Thar ya go.........kick this OTE off with intelligence, no calling of names and holding to simple values and respect to all. Acceptance and the defense of values many find offensive to simple rational reality is one of the reasons for the mass exodus on the other forum, I myself do find it very scary that our society would even consider something as minor as tossing a bag of popcorn at someone a reason for deadly action. I find it even more scary that others in society actually believe it to be a felony.

As a matter of fact our new society is very scary all around, to all who have the values of honor, respect and right as we see them deteriorate each passing day. As we see all the things wrong now called right and supported by law.

[Rick Mays]

Needless to say, we are not the Jurors. So with that said, our two cents can be stated. Mine is, the young guy was not following the rules of the theater. Everyone that has seen a show lately knows how much they stress about these stupid cell phones and NOT using them at all. What little I know of the case, the older guy went to report, the younger guy got irked, heated talk and the young guy DID get into the old guys space and made a move towards him. Even if it was a bag of popcorn is irrelevant to me "I SAID ME" as we all know there may have been another fist coming shortly after. I have tossed items at guys to distract them when being confronted, it is a tactic to use to protect yourself. Toss something, move a hand etc etc and then hit, or take their air out via their throat.

But again, I am not on the Jury. I hope a fair trial is in order for the older guy. I feel for the younger guys family, friends and hope everyone learns something from this tragic incident.

[Retired Army]

Is it just me or does this situation have any similarities to Ferguson? I am referring to the taking of lives of unarmed by those appointed to protect it. Events of this nature tend to make a person wonder where this nation is heading. As far as the cell phone is concerned, welcome to modern technology ride easy knowing if you ride alone and something goes wrong and you are in a cell you can call for help..

[flyerq68]

Being unarmed has nothing to do with being less of a threat. An unarmed person could overwhelm an armed person in the blink of an eye given the right circumstances. As far as shooting in this instance, I'm pretty sure most of us would NOT have opened fire. That does change the technical legality of the event.

[Cruiseman]

I think everyone has rushed to judgement on the Ferguson thing. I was overseas watching it unfold and was stunned at how there were no facts other than from a questionable witness. Most prosecutors or anyone familiar with criminal justice will tell you that eye witness accounts are typically unreliable, unless corroborated by several others.

What people see and what they think they see, are often too very different things. They even had one of those Brain Game shows on ABC recently where they tested people's ability to recall what they had just witnessed and most were innacurate.

I have a feeling it may come down to forensics, circumstantial evidence and "who are you going to believe?" A cop with a clean record and no history of racial bias, or a guy with a criminal record.