Accused Fla. movie theater shooter granted bond

DADE CITY, Fla. - The 71-year-old man accused of shooting a fellow movie-goer to death in a Tampa area theater will be allowed to await his trial at home, reports CBS affiliate WTSP.

The judge in that case reversed his previous order that Curtis Reeves be held without bond after a ruling from the Second District Court of Appeals, which told the judge that he was not legally bound to hold Reeves in jail, despite what he heard from prosecutors.

The former police captain is charged with second-degree murder in the Jan. 13 death of Chad Oulson. Prosecutors say Reeves shot Oulson after an argument about Oulson texting before the start of a screening of "Lone Survivor."

Reeves has pleaded not guilty. According to the station, Judge Pat Siracusa ruled Reeves may be released on $150,000 bond, but can only leave his home when attending religious services, seeking medical treatment, or to go to the grocery store. He is not allowed to have a firearm and must wear an ankle monitor for GPS tracking. He is also not allowed to have contact with Oulson's widow, Nicole Oulson.

WTSP reports that at the original bond hearing in February, Judge Siracusa said the state had made its case, that the second degree murder charges against Reeves were reasonable, and that therefore, Reeves needed to be held without bond.

But the court of appeals says Judge Siracusa still had discretion in the case and perhaps didn't realize it.

On Friday, the judge admitted that was true. In a new order he wrote, "The appellate court was correct that this court previously denied release because it believed it had no discretion to do otherwise if the state met its burden."

TJ Grimaldi, the attorney for Nicole Oulson, said it was a disappointing ruling for his client. "He (Reeves) can relax, they can delay the case. He can see his family. He can go home and see his grandchild. He can see his daughter, he can see his son and his wife. Chad can never do that again."