Ex-University of Cincinnati Cop Pleads not Guilty in Shooting
CINCINNATI, July 30 (UPI) — A judge set a $1 million bond for a former University of Cincinnati police officer charged with murder in the shooting death of a motorist he stopped for a missing front license plate.
Ray Tensing, 25, pleaded not guilty in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court on Thursday morning. Applause erupted in the courtroom for the high bond amount. Outside the courtroom, Sam DuBose’s family and friends demanded a conviction. Tensing faces at least 15 years in prison or a possible life sentence in DuBose’s death. He is also charged with voluntary manslaughter, which could bring another 11 years.
On July 19, Tensing pulled over DuBose, 43, for a missing front license plate. Video from Tensing’s body camera shows the officer struggling with DuBose after he failed to provide a driver’s license and refused to get out of the car. On the video, Tensing can be heard saying he was pulled by DuBose’s vehicle. DuBose was shot once in the head.
Tensing was charged Wednesday after a grand jury indictment.
“This is the most asinine act I’ve ever seen a police officer make,” Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said. “It was senseless. It’s just horrible.”
Tensing turned himself in to police shortly after the indictment was announced. Mike Robison, spokesman for the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, said Tensing was placed in an individual cell. He was fired from his job with the university.
