I have always felt that the media did everything they could to paint the retired cop in the worst light possible. He asked someone sitting in front of him to stop texting during the previews in a movie theater. I don't see that as unreasonable because bright screens in front of you can be a distraction. The media repeatedly called the elderly man the "Instigator". I fail to see how making a reasonable request of someone automatically makes you an "Instigator" if the other person overreacts.
The media also immediately referred to the other party as an "Innocent Victim". The man berated an elderly man and threw something at him. Some reports stated that the "Victim" grabbed the elderly man's popcorn from him and threw it at him. Last I checked, taking any property from someone against their will is a theft. Throwing anything at someone against their will is an assault. I don't recall any headlines stating, "Elderly Man Defends Himself from Thief After Being Assaulted".
While I do not condone either man's behavior, and I believe that the entire situation was avoidable, there is a reason we try cases in courts instead of through the media. I take this case as a clear indicator that the mainstream media will use any available opportunity to portray legally-armed carriers who defend themselves as bloodthirsty psychopaths. The media is not on our side. Proceed with caution and walk away whenever possible.
wmmbam.iheart.com
