Ray Tensing Indicted On Murder Charges, UC Officer’s Body Cam Video Released [Watch Full Video]
UC shooting body camera footage was released today. Ray Tensing, a University of Cincinnati campus police officer, was indicted on murder charges for shooting and killing Samuel DuBose earlier this month. Tensing is white, DuBose was black — facts which have prompted Cincinnati riots concerns. A press conference at 1 p.m. will include the video footage and the release of the grand jury findings in the Tensing case. Tensing, who turned himself in after the press conference, was also indicted on the lesser included charge of voluntary manslaughter. He will likely be arraigned on Thursday morning.
The Ray Tensing, 25, body cam video was about 10 minutes long, audio was not captured in the first few moments of the recording. Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters called the shooting “horrific” and a “purposeful killing,” and added that Samuel DuBose, 43, was executed by a shot to the head. The police stop was reportedly initiated due to a missing front license plate.
“When you see this [the body cam video,] you won’t believe how quickly he pulls his gun. Maybe a second — it’s incredible,” Deters added.
Tensing’s attorney said that once the public sees another body cam video from the Sam Dubose shooting scene, they will change their minds about the need for a murder charge. The UC officer broke down in tears when he heard that he was being indicted on murder charges, according to his lawyer.
https://youtu.be/z9f3ZUBWDZA
Latest police shooting case: Ohio prosecutors to release body cam video. Watch livestream here: https://t.co/VOyvigLGsc #SamDubose
— Mira Oberman (@miraoberman) July 29, 2015
“I couldn’t believe it, I just could not believe it,” Deters said after calling the Sam DuBose killing a “senseless shooting.” The Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney also stated that the is seeking life in prison for Tensing. The University of Cincinnati alumni also noted that he does not feel that the college should be in the policing business, and that Cincinnati PD should be handling campus crime.
Due to concerns about Cincinnati riots after the decision by Deters to release the UC shooting video and grand jury indictment ruling, the southwestern Ohio campus cancelled classes and shut down offices at the uptown and Medical campuses at 11 a.m. DuBose was shot and killed by UC officer Tensing during a July 19 traffic stop in Mount Auburn.
“This decision is made with an abundance of caution in anticipation of today’s announcement of the Hamilton County grand jury’s decision regarding the July 19 officer-involved shooting of Samuel DuBose and the release of the officer’s body camera video,” a University of Cincinnati release shared with the media earlier today, said. “We realize this is a challenging time for our university community.”
Ray Tensing’s attorney, Stuart Mathews, stated during an interview with the Cincinnati Enquirer on Tuesday that he expects the University of Cincinnati police officer will be indicted by the grand jury. Mathews stated that the “political climate” of today likely means that the officer will face some type of criminal charges.
“It wasn’t supposed to happen. Given the political climate of the situation, I would not be astounded if an indictment is returned. I am hopeful it will not happen,” Mathews added. “Ray Tensing’s a good kid, an excellent officer who is in a bad situation at this point.”
When asked about the possibility of Cincinnati riots, Ohio Governor John Kasich shared his thoughts on the emerging situation in Hamilton County.
“We have to see what the results are. I don’t get in the middle of court cases. I’m concerned about all our communities and all our urban areas. We are prepared. We are as prepared as we can be.”
“I think we’re prepared,” Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley noted. “Everyone has the right to peacefully protest, but we will not tolerate lawlessness.” Cranley said police officials have been working with community leaders to make sure that any UC shooting protests remain peaceful and to ensure that officers have the resources necessary to stop any civil unrest in the city.
https://youtu.be/zA-vPOvA48Y
University of Cincinnati police officer Ray Tensing is currently on paid leave. Deter stated during the press conference that he hopes Tensing will soon be on paid leave inside the local jail.
