1. In 2014, Curtis Reeves shot and killed Chad Oulsen in a Pasco County, Florida movie theater.  He was charged with second-degree murder for the killing.  Early in his case, Reeves' defense attorney filed a Motion to Dismiss the charges based on the Stand Your Ground Defense.  Based on Florida law at the time, the defendant was responsible for offering up evidence to prove the defense.  The Motion was denied.  After that hearing, the Florida Supreme Court changed the process of establishing the defense, switching the burden to the state.  This means that now the state has the burden of proving that the defendant is not entitled to the defense.  The question was then whether the Supreme Court would apply this new standard to Reeves' case retroactively. The Court decided that it would not be applied to Reeves' case and that he would have to stand trial.  His case has now been proceeding for six (6) years. 
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3. In which category or categories is the defense of Stand Your Ground?  
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5. Describe what Reeves was alleging when he tried to use the defense of Stand Your Ground.  Finally, describe what the Supreme Court's ruling means with regard to the burden and the retroactivity.

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

The defense of Stand Your Ground falls under selfdefense laws It allows individuals to use force inc... View the full answer