Latest article sheds new light.
http://www.sptimes.com/2004/07/28/Southpinellas/Police__Belligerence_.shtml
Seems the guy has had prior convictions, and one of their witnesses was a friend of theirs.
The cops story is backed up by movie ushers.
The AP story and the SPtimes story cannot possibly be describing the same incident. The stories completely contradict.
Regardless, cell phones should be TURNED OFF when one enters a theater.
You're no fun. Now we can't keep on whining about someone "getting maced for talking on the phone," while ignoring completely that this is an issue of the right of a theater owner to exclude anyone for anything he wants - whether talking on the phone, using a laser pointer, throwing popcorn, cleaning his gun, whatever. And that refusal to leave can be answered by reasonable and necessary force.
In fact, some of the whiners would have been the first to brag that a trespasser on their own property would have had to face their friends Smith and Wesson.
But not a theater owner. No, he becomes a Nazi because he won't let poor patron exercise consitutional right to yack on phone. No property rights for you, Mr. Theater Owner!
Operation scam in the mix. I think it is very funny how these witnesses pop up supporting the perps. An officer with 14 years on the force would be a fool to act as the couple allege. Folks this is a get the (man) for some money in the making. I do hope that the PD will not cave to these racial extortionists. There are some people in life who walk around with chip on the shoulder. Their attitude is when confronted with any legal authority, "You Can't Tell Me What to Do!!!) A retired police officer. P.S. I am glad those ushers were there for credibility of justice
I posted that yesterday that I'd be willing to BET that the man had priors and that Warronnicaaaaaaaaaaaaa did as well. I HATE being RIGHT all the time! If criminals are not afraid to break the law, they are not AFRIAD TO LIE, ala Bubba and Hitlary, Teddy K, etc.