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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

University cop faces murder charge in traffic stop shooting

Lisa Cornwell Associated Press

CINCINNATI – A University of Cincinnati police officer who shot a motorist during a traffic stop over a missing front license plate was indicted Wednesday on a murder charge, with a prosecutor saying the officer “purposely killed him” and “should never have been a police officer.”

Hamilton County prosecutor Joe Deters announced the grand jury indictment at a news conference to discuss developments in the investigation into the July 19 shooting of motorist Samuel DuBose by Officer Ray Tensing.

Authorities have said Tensing spotted a car driven by DuBose missing a front license plate, which is required by Ohio law. They say Tensing stopped the car and a struggle ensued after DuBose refused to provide a driver’s license and get out of the car.

Tensing, 25, has said he was dragged by the car and forced to shoot at DuBose, 43. He fired once, striking DuBose in the head.

But Deters dismissed Tensing’s claim he was dragged and suggested he shouldn’t have pulled DuBose over to begin with.

“He fell backward after he shot (DuBose) in the head,” Deters said, adding that it was a “chicken crap” traffic stop.

On footage released from Tensing’s body camera video, the officer could be heard asking for DuBose’s driver’s license several times with DuBose saying he had one. Later, DuBose said, “But I don’t think I have it on me.”

Tensing asks DuBose to unbuckle his seat belt. About that time Tensing pulls on the door handle, and DuBose puts his hand on the door to keep it closed. Then the video becomes shaky, but a gunshot can be heard and DuBose appears to be slumped in the seat before the car rolls away, coming to a stop at a nearby corner.

The University of Cincinnati said it fired Tensing after his indictment. Tensing turned himself in at the Hamilton County Justice Center and was processed on charges of murder and voluntary manslaughter.

Tensing’s attorney said he was shocked that his client was indicted on a murder charge.

“I kind of expected he would get indicted for something, but I certainly didn’t think it would be murder,” attorney Stewart Mathews said.

He said murder means purposeful killing and his client did not intend to kill DuBose.

Tensing, who could face up to life in prison if convicted, has said he thought he was going to be dragged under the car and “feared for his life,” according to Mathews.

Mathews said a video from the body camera of a police officer who arrived right after the shooting shows Tensing lying in the street after he had gotten free of the car, but that video hasn’t been released by authorities.

“With the political climate in this country with white police officers shooting black individuals, I think they need somebody to make an example of,” Mathews said.

Deters, the prosecutor, called the shooting “senseless” and “asinine.”

“He purposely killed him,” Deters said. “He should never have been a police officer.”