Wife of ex-cop who shot man dead in movie theater in fight over texting tells court how the victim lunged at her husband after complaining 'you told on me'

• e-mail

The wife of a retired police officer on trial for shooting another man dead at a movie theater in 2014 has backed her husband's claim he acted in self-defense.

Curtis Reeves, 74, is on trial in Florida for shooting dead 43-year-old Chad Oulson during an argument over cellphone use inside the theater. 

Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Susan Barthle is being asked to decide whether Reeves should be immune from punishment under the state's stand your ground statute.

The 74-year-old's wife, Vivian, backed her husband up in court on Tuesday by testifying she was 'horrified' and 'scared' because of how Oulson was behaving.

The wife of retired police officer Curtis Reeves (pictured in court on Tuesday) on trial for shooting another man dead at a movie theater in 2014 has backed her husband's claim he acted in self-defense

She said her husband leaned towards Oulson after a notice played on the screen asking people to turn their phones off, ABC News reports.  

Vivian told the court on Tuesday Oulson did not do so, and said he was being 'very loud' and said either 'f***' or 'f***ing'.

'It scared me... I was horrified that somebody would act like that, especially in a movie theater,' she told the court, according to the network.

She testified her husband then got up and went to tell a manager about the incident, before returning to his seat just as the previews started.

Curtis Reeves, 74, is on trial in Florida for shooting dead 43-year-old Chad Oulson during an argument over cellphone use inside the theater. He is seen in the Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center in Dade City on Tuesday

Chad Oulson (pictured with his widow, Nicole) was shot after an alleged argument with Reeves over the use of his phone

Vivian Reeves (pictured) testified on Tuesday that she was 'horrified' and 'scared' before her husband shot Oulson

According to Vivian Reeves, her husband and Oulson spoke to each other again at that moment, with the ex-cop informing him that he told management at the cinema.

Oulson then replied, 'You told on me... who the f*** do you think you are?', Vivian told the court. 

Seconds later, Curtis Reeves opened fire and shot Oulson dead.

Vivian claimed it appeared as though the 43-year-old father was climbing over his chair to get to her husband.

'It happened very quickly, and his whole upper body just came forward, and I thought that he was coming over,' she told the court on Tuesday

Oulson's widow, Nicole (pictured with her husband and their daughter) - who was in the cinema with her husband at the time, said in 2014 that Chad was texting their daughter's babysitter at the time of the shooting

This photo released by the attorney's office shows Curtis Reeves handcuffed in the movie theater where he shot Chad Oulson

'It happened very quickly, and his whole upper body just came forward, and I thought that he was coming over,' she told the court, according to ABC News.

'I just didn't know what happened.' 

She went on to say she could not remember a moment her husband ever lost his temper at her.

The couple has been married 49 years. 

The hearing on Tuesday is part of a pre-criminal trial hearing. If the judge decides stand your ground does not apply in this case, Reeves will proceed to a criminal trial. He would still be able to plead self-defense in that case. 

A photo released as evidence shows the auditorium in the Grove Cobb 16 theater in Wesley Chapel after authorities say Curtis Reeves shot and killed Chad Oulson in a dispute over texting during previews January 13, 2014

The confrontation that resulted in Oulson's death occurred before the movie had even begun

Vivian's testimony appeared to be contested by another witness, Joanna Turner.

Turner told the court she heard Oulson say, 'I'm texting my daughter,' seconds before a shot was fired by Reeves.

Other witnesses said Oulson threw popcorn at Reeves before the shooting.

Oulson's widow, Nicole - who was in the cinema with her husband at the time, said in 2014 that Chad was texting their daughter's babysitter at the time of the shooting.

The cinema's management forbids patrons to bring weapons into the theater

Reeves entered the theater with this gun, which he then used to shoot Oulson

Reeves hands are seen cuffed after he was arrested in the cinema in 2014 over the deadly shooting

'It was a couple of words. No threats. No harm. No nothing... In the blink of an eye, 30 seconds, it just shattered my world,' she said.   

Florida's stand your ground law states a person has no duty to retreat when faced with a violent confrontation and can use deadly force if he or she fears death or great bodily harm. 

Prosecutors say the 74-year-old Reeves provoked the confrontation. Reeves' attorneys say Oulson's actions made him think he was in danger of serious assault.

Reeves has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder.